Job Discussion Forums

[adamjames]

Hey guys,

I've been applying to teach English in Spain and I've been offered a place teaching in a school in La Coruna. This will be my first real TEFL job (I've done a CELTA and some voluntary classroom assistant work) and my first time living abroad.

The school seems reputable, they provide some training for new staff and they have all the resources I would need. I'm a bit worried about the wage though, and I was wondering if people could give me their opinions on whether this is too low:

7 euros per hour (18.5 hours teaching per week).

There is no pay for preparation time, so I'd be earning 130euros a week, so about 550euros a month. Rent in La Coruna looks to be about 150-200euros per month.

In short I want to know am I being ripped off? Or is this the going rate for a first time TEFLer in Spain? I have some money saved up and I think I could survive, but should I look for something better before relocating to Spain?

All opinions would be gratefully received! thanks!

[spiral78]

Gasp. That's effectively 3.50 per hour, if you assume that you actually DO have to prep. Slave wages.

[adamjames]

What would be a more reasonable wage for a first time TEFLer?? I know the cost of living is lower in Spain..

[fieldsofbarley]

Ouch. That hurts. In wouldn�t call it a rip off per se, but someone seems to be testing the waters to see if they can take advantage!

The legal minimum wage in Spain is something around 630 euros per month. This is based on a 40 hour working week, which, taking into account preparation time, it�s roughly what you�ll end up working. And, generally speaking, living on that kind of money is not easy. Not for a Spaniard, I guess let alone for a foreigner since you might not know / have access to certain things and may end up paying a lot more than locals for stuff.

Also, Spain is not a cheap country. Living outside major cities might help stretching your budget, but you also need to consider utility bills (which aren�t cheap by any means), transportation, start-up costs...

I�d say, look for something better.

[adamjames]

Thanks for your replies fields and spiral, it does seem a bit shocking when you do the sums!

Do you think 8 or 9 euros per hour would be a more reasonable rate? I understand that my lack of experience will count against me and I'm not going to be naive and expect anything much more than a basic rate of pay. Does anybody know what kind of wages are other new to TEFL teachers getting?

Again, any comments or advice would be really appreciated! Thanks!

[fieldsofbarley]

Well, lack of experience is one thing, but it�s not like you�re not prepared. You�ve got a CELTA and are a native speaker. Spain tops the EU list of countries with a populaton unable to speak a foreign language...and when it comes to English, general skills are appalling. That�s to say that you are in demand!

Regarding hourly wages: a friend of mine taught in Toledo (medium-sized town near Madrid) and got paid 8 euros / hour. This was an entry level job, although they might try to pull the "economic crisis" bs on you to justify that very low wages.

In my opinion, and having lived in Spain for many years, 5 euros per hour is too low. This is what my mum got paid for cleaning a doctor�s office!

[spiral78]

I would suggest (though I would NOT venture to say for sure) that this is what happens when you try to find a job from abroad, rather than job seeking in country. I think perhaps this particular school is being avoided by teachers in the region, possibly for very good reason, and therefore they are searching for someone who doesn't know better....from abroad.

[spiral78]

Back then 2004-5 it was 70 euro per month net October to June and they'd 2 hourly lessons a week. Though this only worked out at 8.75 per hour

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=86604


Line from an older thread - apparently 8.75 was considered low six years ago

[mozzar]

That is really low! Look for something that pays closer to �15 per hour.

[spiral78]

Thanks, mozzar - I was thinking that 12-14 would be more normal. Seems like my numbers are outdated, so I'm glad I didn't go out on a limb on that.

[Hod]

Could I ask why the need to accept the job offer is so urgent? Unless you're hard up and tied to La Coruna in an important way, such as wife and family there, I promise you something will come along soon, paying more than that. You�ve done the CELTA, which isn�t easy as you know, and are worth a lot more to that school than they want to pay.

Other matters aside, e.g. the school getting a good deal at your expense, unless you�re prepared to dip heavily into those savings, you won�t last on that money and, I�m afraid to say, have a grim time. I also agree with fieldsofbarley that Spain isn�t a cheap country and wonder where that notion came from, the school?

Take a few weeks more and find a job paying what you deserve.

[adamjames]

Wow guys thanks very much I wasn't expecting so many quick responses!

I told them I needed time to think about it, and they're going to call back tomorrow evening. I think I'll ask them to raise it to maybe 10euros per hour? I'm not bothered about saving money up but I certainly don't want to be ripped off and end up making a loss!

ALSO they said the 7 euros per hour is AFTER tax has been deducted. If I'm in Spain up until June when the schools, will I have to pay tax anyway?? I'm a bit confused about how much you have to earn to start paying tax in Spain, and how does it work for expats. If anyone can help me out that would be great

[adamjames]

Hi Hod thanks for your reply.

They want me to start pretty much immediately, next Monday February 1st if possible. Because the start date is so soon they need to know pretty quickly.

I am not tied to La Coruna in any way and have no particular preference for going there, in fact I would prefer Andalucia region really, but beggars can't be choosers!

You say wait a few weeks, but the current term has already started and I'm worried I'll end up having to wait until September. Although this wouldn't be a disaster, a shorter contract initially (until summer) seems like a gd experience and a good start for someone new to TEFL.

[Hod]

To be honest, it's their fault if they need someone on 1st February. They�ve known for ages that the term starts then, so why should you now be rushed into making a decision?

Go easy on the new/beggar stuff. There are teachers in Europe and elsewhere with no qualifications. Even with your new shiny CELTA, if you saw such types teaching, you�d be scratching your head wondering what they�re doing.

Fair enough, if you want some experience of Spain/teaching, take the La Coruna job, but don�t be shy about asking for more money now. The way things look, they won�t have a teacher next week and will be losing cash. But based on the pay and lack of planning, the school doesn�t sound great. My worry, finally, would be that you�ll need some proper guidance from experienced teachers, preferably with DELTAs or equivalent. Are there any of those working at this school?

[spiral78]

you�ll need some proper guidance from experienced teachers, preferably with DELTAs or equivalent. Are there any of those working at this school?


Not at 7 per hour, I'll bet!

Anyway, more usefully - I think you could ask for at least 10 after tax, based on the fact that it's such a quick move. I'd also ask them what kind of support you can expect from their other teachers getting started quickly and effectively.