Job Discussion Forums

[Mauricio Saenz]

Hi everyone. I'm planning on moving to Barcelona in January if possible and get myself around the first couple of years by teaching English, though I have plenty of concers. My qualifications include a Bachelor's degree from a US university, a master's degree from a Spanish one, 6 years teaching art in the Texas public school system (including all levels), and about to get TEFL certification. However, my English is not native, yet I've been living here for more than 20 years so I would consider it Native-level with a bit of an accent (Spanish is my native language). I recently acquired the Spanish nationality and already have my passport.

My reasons to move to Spain are mainly to change my lifestyle radically as I want to immerse into a more cultural atmosphere as I am an artist and desire to be a lot more active in these matters. My present condition teaching at middle school in Texas is just becoming more tedious every time, lacking motivation, and basically reaching a boiling point, though the salary is great. However, and giving an overall view, I want to expand my horizons and start enjoying life a little bit more doing something different and striving to get my artwork around and just being surrounded by a more cultural atmosphere. I'm willing to give up my good salary, leave family and friends, and a life of monotonous comfort to pursue a long-time dream.

Nonetheless, I am aware of the disastrous economic situation Spain is facing and that makes me have many concers about my future and the one for TEFL teachers. Taking in consideration I would like to move in January, I have these questions:

1. How likely would it be to find a decent job in Barcelona at this time of the year?

2. Would I have a disadvantage for not being a Native speaker?

3. If I did find a job, what would be the average salary?


Any suggestions you might give me would be GREATLY appreciated as I want to have all the elements possible to take a good decision as I would leave behind a secure, well-paid job in the US to go adventure in Barcelona.

Thanks in advance!!!!!!

[SirKirby]

Briefly, (1) harder than say in September, but not impossible, but (2) definitely at a disadvantage in that many if not most private language schools want "native speakers", irrespective of how good a teacher you/they might be; (3), low, especially compared with the US: think in terms of 1100 to 1200 euros for 18-24 contact (class) hours in most places.

Not sure that you're properly qualified (ie will they recognise your teaching qualifications here?) but wouldn't you be better getting into either the state or the private school sector, rather than private language schools? There, the proportion of "non-native" English teachers is MUCH higher.

(Personally, if it were up to me, I wouldn't give a #### about your nationality, provided I thought you were a good teacher, but sadly that's not the case in many schools here).

[Mauricio Saenz]

First of all, thanks for your answer (I like the fact that you were very straightforward; that's what I'm looking for as I wouldn't like to get that kind of disappointment if I was to move there). However, it still is kind of a turn off to know that someone would be at a disadvantage for not being a native speaker even though you had the same credentials as one as far speaking a language at a 100% after having lived in the US for more than 20 years. Let me ask you this question now, are British speakers preferred over Americans?

The advice on looking over public or private schools against language schools is something I might strongly consider. Now, do you know if I'd have to do an "Oposici�n" for either one of these? Are catalanes too harsh on accepting teachers not speaking their language into their schools?

I'm also considering not moving until early September probably. Despite all this, I think I'm going to persist with the idea of moving and trying something different.

Again, I really appreciate your suggestions.........hope to continue the feedback.....

[SirKirby]

I suspect that your best bet might in fact be a private secondary school, as you have both the language and the experience, and they tend to be (a) a bit more willing to overlook your lack of a convalidated degree (I'm guessing that you don't have a Spanish university degree) and (b) to worry much less about whether or not you're a "native" (most of their English teachers are not natives).

In the public secondary school sector, you're going to need the degree; Oposiciones not, but they're handy.

Not having Catalan will be a disadvantage, but probably not a major one, though I'm not certain of that.

[Mauricio Saenz]

Now, when you're talking about needing a degree for the public secondary school sector do you mean having it convalidated? Also, about not needing an "oposicion" for an english teaching job is it not required only for this subject? I had heard from Spanish friends that you need to go throught a certain certification or test to get into public schools.

How much of a difference is there in the salary comparing a private school to a public one?

Thanks for all the info; it's very helpful............

[SirKirby]

A degree would have to be convalidated, if it's not a Spanish one. As I understand it, Oposiciones would give you access to the better paid jobs.