Job Discussion Forums

[LaMottaVSKeane]

Hello all...

I have just finished a CELTA a course, I have a B.A. and I'm an EU national. I'm in my early twenties and don't expect to make a lot of money, I'm interested in Tefl mainly for the chance to travel and experience differences places, so I'm happy to make enough money to get by.

With all these things in my favor I thought I had a good chance of getting work in Spain (which would be my first choice destination)but so far it appears that my lack of experience is hindering my opportunities.

I haven't found one position in Spain that does not expect at least one years experience! I don't particularly want to go to China or Korea, but these are the only places I've seen that seem to accept Teachers with no experience.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get a first job in Spain with no experience? Or should I start packing my bags for Asia??

[mozzar]

Come to Madrid in September/October and send out your CV. You'll have work even if the companies advertise for that one year's experience they normally don't mean it.

[Crig]

I have also been sending my CVs around to anywhere in Spain and had a couple of Skype interviews but have not been successful on either.

I'm not sure if my lack of experience as a teacher is the reason for this ( I only completed the CELTA this May) or my poor interview technique?

Do you have any tips on what to do in interviews?

Or also do you think it is better to be in the country and place you wish to work in order to find work?

Mozzar, do you already work in Spain?

Thanks

[jonniboy]

Spain has lots of teachers already there so preference will almost always be given to those there on the ground. It's logical enough, if you're a director of a school who do you give work to? Someone from abroad who may not even turn up or someone who's already in the city and therefore won't have any settling in issues and will probably have some grasp of the local language? I got my first teaching gig in Spain over lots of better qualified candidates because I was there and they were in the UK. Plus I knew someone who already worked there. Never underestimate the latter factor, networking and who you know is probably more important in Spain than in the UK.

[mozzar]

[daniel_hayes]

I will hopefully do my CELTA in Manchester in September, and then head to Madrid start of October. I have a BA and MA.

Will I be able to get anough hours to pay my rent and living expenses, during my first year there?

NB: I am fully prepared for split-shifts at different schools, and some privates.

[Sublime]

In my experience I've found that it's a complete waste of time sending emails to Spanish schools, companies etc. Hell, even when you're in Spain it's a waste of time, so if you're not in Spain it's probably an even bigger waste of time (if that's possible ).

The Spanish don't do emails!

Ideally you need to be on the ground as 'face to face' seems to be the only way.

You should be able to find a job easily, especially if you go to Spain during the first weeks in September. I was working with teachers who didn't even have a CELTA or any previous experience.........so there's always some kind of job going no matter what your current situation. But yeah, Spain isn't a place to earn money, just enjoy the climate (most of the time) and lazy lifestyle............

[Guiza]

I was in Madrid from Feb to June of this year.

Feb was not a recomendable time of year to arrive to find work but I got a few interviews after handing my CV in person at various places. I'd also sent emails to pretty much every school i could get details for however not that many replied.

Of the ones that did and that gave me an interview 3 schools offered me some hours. Two of them part time, the other more or less full time. And then a well written advert online and you will get offers for privates.

The only thing with working there was the travel inbetween classes. I was working 4 or 5 classes per day but it felt like much more due to travel. Did begin to grate after a while.

It would help to have some experience. I had a 9 months working as a language assistant in a high school from 2010 however I got the impression that the most important thing is to have the tefl / celta. This is true at least with my principal employer. I met 3 teachers there with much less experience (aka none) who had arrived at the same or similar time of year as me with a celta and zero Spanish ability and were working full time timetables with this one school. They don't pay the best in the world but it's fine and very professional.

It's understandable that a school would not offer you work remotely from another country when you have little or nothing on your cv to back you up however if you just go, work hard initially getting your cv onto people's desks and email inboxes I'd be surprised if you can't find work. Especially if you arrive in late August / September when term begins.

InMadrid newspaper always has adverts
Madridteacher.com the same

Good luck, life in Madrid is aces

[lexharvey]

it is totally possible to get work from the UK. two of my colleagues from my Celta course in March have lined up jobs for september from skype interviews which they got from emailing and applying for jobs on tefl job websites.

[pr455]

I have to agree with what's been said on this thread. You need to be in Spain to get jobs here. Some ads that I have seen have specifically said that they only interview people in the country.

Something to think about.

Shawn