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pr455
Joined: 08 May 2011
Posts: 135
Location: MADRID, SPAIN
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 Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Grimace420 wrote: |
| Exactly, Shawn. It sounds like you've paid your dues and are reaping the benefits from your dedication. I agree with you about it being like riding a wave while things last. Even though I have my life basically established in Spain, at the end of the day I am a fairweather friend to the country as much as any foreigner. There's a limit to the amount of crap I will put up with as well. At any given moment I'm ready to pack my suitcase in less than an hour and head to the airport -- I always have an emergency fund ready for that and a comfortable bed waiting at my parents' place. But for now getting work is as easy as sending an email or being recommended by word of mouth to people looking for private classes. That plus the easy lifestyle and beautiful geography make it too hard to resist leaving for the moment while the going's good, at least here in Madrid. |
Grimace,
Well, you have paid your dues as well. It ca be a task being a language assistant and I have heard many horror stories. Word of mouth and recommendations do go a long way in this business.
I can't say that I am surprised at the offer you put up. In the end, someone will take it.  That's the scary part.
If you are ever up for a cup of coffee and to exchange stories, shoot me a private message and we'll chat.
Shawn |
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jonniboy
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 751
Location: Panama City, Panama
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:36 am Post subject: |
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| Grimace420 wrote: |
Outside of Madrid and to a lesser extent Barcelona, I can imagine it's a lot tougher. I'll bet that in areas like the Comunidad Valenciana and Andaluc�a things are tighter and there's more competition. I wouldn't mind living there myself, but it doesn't sound like the wisest move at the moment. |
I haven't found it that way at all in Valencia, lots of work around in academies though people I know are telling me that private students are getting increasingly hard to come by or that those who do want private classes aren't willing to pay more than 12 euro an hour. More worryingly I've noticed too that some kids are being withdrawn from the courses as part of a belt tightening exercise.
I'm not sure if I'm returning for the coming year either. We have to pay rent here which is frustrating as we still have our flat in Latvia. We could buy here but selling the Latvian flat when it's going up in value to buy a property in Spain which can only go down in value in the short term seems daft. I also have work available all year round up there and down here... well,,, 9 months is the max. I'm also still finding teens a considerable chore to teach and would rather do adult classes but there aren't enough of them here to make a living on. In contrast there are a whole host of reasons for staying here, better weather, cuisine, culture, easier language, football, fiestas etc. Lifestyle versus better financial situation dilemma as usual! |
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pr455
Joined: 08 May 2011
Posts: 135
Location: MADRID, SPAIN
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| Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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| jonniboy wrote: |
| Grimace420 wrote: |
Outside of Madrid and to a lesser extent Barcelona, I can imagine it's a lot tougher. I'll bet that in areas like the Comunidad Valenciana and Andaluc�a things are tighter and there's more competition. I wouldn't mind living there myself, but it doesn't sound like the wisest move at the moment. |
I haven't found it that way at all in Valencia, lots of work around in academies though people I know are telling me that private students are getting increasingly hard to come by or that those who do want private classes aren't willing to pay more than 12 euro an hour. More worryingly I've noticed too that some kids are being withdrawn from the courses as part of a belt tightening exercise.
I'm not sure if I'm returning for the coming year either. We have to pay rent here which is frustrating as we still have our flat in Latvia. We could buy here but selling the Latvian flat when it's going up in value to buy a property in Spain which can only go down in value in the short term seems daft. I also have work available all year round up there and down here... well,,, 9 months is the max. I'm also still finding teens a considerable chore to teach and would rather do adult classes but there aren't enough of them here to make a living on. In contrast there are a whole host of reasons for staying here, better weather, cuisine, culture, easier language, football, fiestas etc. Lifestyle versus better financial situation dilemma as usual! |
Do I ever understand what you are going through right now. You bring up some excellent points.
I am still waiting for 1000� for some teacher training that I did in February. It'll come eventually, but once it does come half of that is going towards saving for summer. Some of my friends said that they have seen a slight decrease in privates for them, but I think that they charge anywhere from 25�-35� an hour for privates, so I think that their rate is keeping them from finding privates as well.
The price of public transportation in Madrid has gone up as well. My metro pass, which used to be 55,50� is now 59,80�. An additional expense and this is after the promise was made that it wouldn't go up this year. So much for promises being kept.
I know that if I did a CELTA, and with my years of experience that I could easily go the The Middle East, but do I really want to do that and live in a desert? No thanks. I have to make it work for me. I am in no way saying that working there must be bad in any way. I know that it's not for me.
Choices that we must make in life.
Shawn
Last edited by pr455 on Fri May 04, 2012 6:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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jonniboy
Joined: 18 Jun 2006
Posts: 751
Location: Panama City, Panama
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| In the end it looks like I'm outa here (again!) and back to Latvia (again!) Free accommodation, year round work and only adults to teach are the three main factors. I'll miss the place but it isn't going anywhere and I can always come back later if/when the situation improves. It'll also give me a chance to see, from a distance, how the crisis develops. |
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pr455
Joined: 08 May 2011
Posts: 135
Location: MADRID, SPAIN
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| Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| jonniboy wrote: |
| In the end it looks like I'm outa here (again!) and back to Latvia (again!) Free accommodation, year round work and only adults to teach are the three main factors. I'll miss the place but it isn't going anywhere and I can always come back later if/when the situation improves. It'll also give me a chance to see, from a distance, how the crisis develops. |
Well, jonniboy, give yourself a pat on the back. You gave it a go again and that is a great thing. Be proud of yourself and I know the feeling. If I see things drying up in Madrid, I am outta here as well and off to another country where English teachers are seen as real people.
Suerte,
Shawn |
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Mrguay84
Joined: 03 Dec 2009
Posts: 125
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| Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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The cost of food in the supermarkets seems to have suddenly risen too 
But generally speaking, wages have gone down...........
Oh well, at least the beach is free.............. |
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