Job Discussion Forums

[Melteaches]

This is a small plead for any information on living and working in Barcelona. I am Australian and therefore a non eu citizen who is moving to Barca next year. I have ESL teaching experience in Canada and Mexico but my qualification is Bachelor of Education, a High school English and Drama teacher. I have no TEFL or TESOL or CELTA certificates. Does anyone know if 1) Companies sponsor teachers to become residents? 2) companies hire non eu citizens? 3) companies hire at this time of year? 4) if companies hire without ESL qualifications?
Many questions I know but any information or personal stories would be appreciated? I am thinking there are many hurdles to jump and look forward to this challenge.
Cheers
Melanie

[Eloise]

If I were you I'd go to a different city. Barcelona is very expensive and there are so many English teachers there that it's hard to get a job, especially if you don't have a work permit. If you go somewhere where there are less ex-pats then you'll get work much more easily and you won't have to pay so much money for a flat. I'm not sure how easy it is to get work without a visa because i've got an EU passport so I don't need one. I met quite a lot of Americans teaching in Spain though so I presume it's not a big problem.

[onionfox]

If your heart is set on coming to Barcelona I'd say don't be put off. Obviously you need to be realistic tho. Honestly, I don't know whether companies sponser non-EU folks to become residents but I imagine it's probably unlikely given the number of people who want to work here and who have papers. Most companies would probably save the hassle. Getting work without a certificate is more likely given that you have plenty of relevant experience. January (or before) rather than February would be a better time to be job hunting as the new term starts on 9th Jan. Companies will often have new classes coming in and the new year is a good time to get private classes (don't always rely on your students keeping to their new years resolutions tho!). There always seem to be tefl job offers on www.loquo.com. You might need to be patient though to build up a full timetable.

Maybe I have just been very lucky but after warnings of it being really difficult to find work here I got a job and started work the day after I arrived! I'm not saying this is a regular thing but there IS lots of work here. Finding an appartment (whilst a bit of a nightmare while you're looking) isn't that hard (again check out loquo.com) and it is feasable to earn enough to live decently. It's a great city so good luck!