Job Discussion Forums

Rebate · Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 30

Hello all,

I recently decided to go through EBC in Madrid to get my TEFL. However, unlike Canterbury, they do not really offer a Spanish Immersion course package. Since I will be taking the courses individually, can any of you out there recommend a course in Madrid. Actually, it really doesn't even have to be in Madrid, just in Spain, since I have a month of travel in between the courses and can get to Madrid on time fro TEFL to start, July 4, 2005.

I'm looking for a 4 week program, minimum and one that fits with the budget minded, of course.

I'm off to search the web on my own but thank you in advance for any and all advice.

Rebate

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

Great work!

Whitney Davies · Joined: 01 Jun 2004 Posts: 23

I was in a similar situation, was really bent on doing my Spanish some good before I started my TEFL course. Oh all is history now, Ive done my TEFL course, worked in Madrid and am now back in the States, for a very limited time I hope. I miss Madrid and I hope to head back soon .

I got lucky and I made some contacts while I was in Madrid and I might (I SAID MIGHT!) just be able to come back to Spain with this international company! Fingers crossed.

Check out Sampere, ELE, schools specializing in Spanish classes. Be careful on the prices , some schools will put you in groups of mixed levels and that can be pretty frustrating especially when the group is mixed, level and nationality!

You�ll see what I mean! Wink

You see we have certain linguistic problems (the Anglos) that maybe other nationalities might not have and they have their own set of problems that we don�t find as problems, so it can get pretty mixed up!

But don�t worry about the Spanish, you�ll be surprised how many Spanish people speak very little English so once you start living there you�ll learn fast, so go for the 20-40 hour intensives close to your course date, or close to the time you hit Spain, so you don�t lose the rythym of speaking Spanish!

Also as you start teaching English you will HAVE to make a big effort to speak Spanish! In my case I was teaching too many English classes, I found myself losing the Spanish, so I hit the "tertulias", bars, made a gigantic effort to maintain my Spanish and you know what it paid off.

My job offer from the States that might bring me back to Spain (not sure if its Madrid) was based largely on my experiences of life, teaching and living in Madrid. So go for it , you�ll love the city , it�s a great place.