Job Discussion Forums

Ysabel Hayward · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 7

Hello Victor,

I was a February student and I can�t remember where I saw it - about intensive courses, but they�re right at least here in Madrid there are many companies changing the shift from the normal 1 year hires to 3/4 month contracts. I did a lot of intensive courses when I finished my TEFL course and yes, intensive courses are paid higher. Of course when we got to the Sept/Oct period I did accept 1 year classes (Sept-June) but I still prefer the shorter intensive courses. Also there is always work in Spain, well, I can only vouch for Madrid so go for Feb , it��ll be fun
Good luck, see you in Madrid.

ysabel

kathy brennan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 8

I�m on the EBC course on Feb 14, 2005 and I�m really looking forward to it. I have been reading some positive exchanges about jobs and intensives around the months of Feb, March so I�m so excited about this move!

Very Happy

kathy

Ysabel Hayward · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 7

Good luck Kathy, I�m sure you�ll love Madrid. If you got my tutor, you�ll really get trained, well, meaning you�ll work hard! That�s actually true for all the trainers, they�re great but they do work you. I was with John, Brit Norwegian chap, strict but a powerhouse of TEFL knowledge but you�ll see, he�s also a real nice chap! Extremely kind and helpful.

They say Madrid winters are cold but really I don�t think its bad at all. I�m on my way back to the UK for the holidays, up in the north of England, and that�s where you call the winters cold and damp! Mad

Now you know why I love Spain!

Ysabel

kathy brennan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 8

Hi Ysabel,

If youre still in Madrid in February maybe we can meet up at the EBC school! Thanks for the encouragement, its always nice to feel reassured especially when one is just about to make a big move!

kathy

michelle ashley · Joined: 28 Jun 2003 Posts: 22

hi guys,

You know after reading posts on ebc on another forum (a forum based in spain, nothing international like dave esl), I�m glad we�re still free to mention the name of schools, products, etc, etc, that we felt were good here on dave esl!

Ex students of EBC were effectively banned from writing their happy comments because the owner of that forum in Spain felt that there were too many happy ones , ergo suspicious. Funnily when unhappy students wrote about their experiences with the now notoriously "should not touch" ITC, these same owners were telling these conned ITC students of the use of proper language on his forum and that they should explain in detail/justify why they were giving ITC such bad press even if was already running like fire - all these ITC posts on dave esl. what type of evidence was he looking for?

Now really in the case of ITC Barcelona, do you really think those stranded students who lost close to 3000, 4000 euros would have been concerned about the "proper language" to use after they�ve just come all the way from the US, Canada, etc. only to find the ITC�s school doors closed, with no contact person at all?

What is the proper language for this scenario? Also as far as I can remember the people who posted didn�t use any colorful language at all.

I believe in freedom of expression so after reading all that from that other forum based in Madrid, all I can say is if he is not keen on hearing what the public has to say or if he doesn�t want the public to mention names on his forum, then maybe he should redirect his business to something where absolute privacy is the rule!

So to all of you future TEFL teachers who are planning to do a course in Spain, Asia, South America, Australia, etc, etc, stick to Dave ESL, for your fact finding research. At least here satisfied students are not called suspicious when they mention the name of the school they went to in reply to questions of recommendations!

I did a lot of research before I took this big move and I felt that I chose the school I went to because I was able to read good things about them and that I was able to communicate with their ex students. How can guys doing their research from the US honestly do their homework about schools in Europe, ie :Madrid or anywhere else really if the mention of names is considered wrong just because the named school has a lot of satisfied customers?

Stick to Dave ESL for your questions, at least here you�ll get answers, good, bad or whatever!

michelle

William Garcia · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 4

wow, michelle who was that madrid based forum, ill send you a pm, i have an idea who they are, I was in madrid for 18 months, I�m now back in NYC, but I�d like to confirm my suspicions! I agree with you that everyone has the right to express their contentment/discontentment on anything!

By not mentioning the names of the schools, what does this achieve? Really strange. Unless of course there is a hidden reason, no lo se!

Check your Private Messages.

william

kathy brennan · Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Posts: 8

I�m on the february course, can anyone tell me what the area close to metro tribunal is like, or what areas can you recommend, affordable but safe. I�m planning on being in Madrid the last days of january so i can start renting from feb 1. My course starts on feb 14, 2005.

any help is appreciated.

kathy

justin andersen · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 17

That�s not a bad area at all, it�s quite central so you won�t have problems with the metro or the bus. Prices, affordable on a teacher�s wage but there are cheaper areas. If you find an apartment to share in the Tribunal area, I�d go for it. Check out areas around the universities as well, like Arguelles, Moncloa.

debora · Joined: 03 Jan 2005 Posts: 10 Location: States

Hey, i too am plannig on attending the EBC TEFL course in Madrid this February. The amount of questions that I have are endless.

My main questions are in regards to housing and visas. I hold a US passport. Is there anyone who has taken this, or any similar course, that would have some advice in regards to the visa process, or for affortdable student housing for a recent undergrad who is a little tight with funds?

Thank you! any advice is much appreciated.

debora

justin andersen · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 17

Hi there are some affordable housing companies listed on their site. Visas, your best bet is to speak to the school of your choice and they can advice you more. Many Americans come to Spain and teach without a work visa, it all depends on how long you want to stay. Americans are working in Madrid just like the European members. Of course there are more opportunities for the EU ones but non EU�s, Americans, Canadians, etc. are working.

Good luck.

frijolita · Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 35 Location: Madrid

Hi,

I did the EBC course in Oct. The good thing is that you get your certificate and you will find a least a few hours when you are done with the course. The bad things is that they are just okay. I can�t say that would highly recommend this place to someone. My trainer was very thorough. The school had made some promises such as Spanish classes and a welcome dinner that didn�t happen. They didn�t tell us they were no longer offering those things until our first class. So my warning is just make sure they give you what they are advertising. Overall it was ok. Madrid is great, you will find a job and learn all about the different varieties of ham! Wink

chewlett · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 2

Hi, I'm on the february EBC course as well - not really sure what to expect, but really looking forward to getting to Madrid - when you live in Suffolk, anywhere is a step in the right direction!

I don't know what accommodation to go for, but some of the ones on the EBC site look alright. If anyone has already sorted a place out i'd be interested to hear about it, as i am clueless about where to stay and it would be good to live in the same area as other people on the course...

Chris

justin andersen · Joined: 10 Oct 2004 Posts: 17

My opinion on the housing question is this: Try to make do with basic accomodations for the 1 month TEFL course, many schools have the housing agents listed on their sites. Of course if you can arrange more long term housing right from the start, good for you. But reality is, it�s better to be in Madrid when you are looking for more permanent housing.

Then during the course make arrangements thru the local papers/magazines like Segundamano (only if your Spanish is great!) or the ones for the not too great with Spanish like InMadrid, Broadsheet. Both are in English and they have lots of apartments advertised there. Warning these apartments go fast. One more alternative is to find people from your course who might want to share an apartement, at least you�re not starting off with total strangers! Very Happy

mary cooper · Joined: 08 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

I must agree with you Justin. It�s a lot easier to rent an apartment when youre already in Madrid. The weather is beautiful again, sunny, bright and we�re in the middle of January! I guess that�s a big advantage of studying, working, living in Spain, the weather! And of course the people, the food, the fiestas, etc, etc. Hasta luego!

shevek · Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 17

Anyone looking for a central apartment in March, PM me please.

Oh yeah, and I recommend the EBC course because it's useful for grammar and good placement and stuff, but those of you who've posted on this thread are probably already experiencing it first hand.