Job Discussion Forums

[emilymoore]

Once upon a time, there was an eclectic gal who was a fearless traveler. She left her home in Tennessee and, after a brief stopover in Florida (and trip to Japan), she moved to Manhattan to soak up life experience.

After seven years in Manhattan, she moved home, got married, and stagnated during nine years of cloying marriage to a Bubba Extraordinaire. Coming to her senses, she divorced, and she started her own freelance writing/editing business. Now, seven years later, she has an itch to travel once more (actually, she never lost it - she just stored it away for future use), and thanks to the miracle of the Internet, she can actually bring a few of her current clients with her.

Unfortunately, she never finished college, and she speaks only English. She is almost 50, a youthful 50 frequently mistaken for 40, and she's healthy and energetic. She's hot to travel to Spain to both learn the language and see the country (and Italy, and other parts of Europe).

She's planning to live modestly and hoping to find additional work teaching Business ESL. She's not certified to teach it yet, but she has the funds to accommodate a four-week certification course (or other), funds to get back home, and a place to live if/when she does return home. (She plans to rent her town house when she makes the big move abroad.)

Of late, she's been perusing Dave's forum for learning purposes, and she is so grateful for the comprehensive info she has garnered from these pages. However, she has a few questions, and she's hoping the wonderfully responsive members of the forum will share more information with her.


1) Is it feasible for a single, child-free lady approaching the autumn of her years to pick up and travel to Spain? She's okay with the idea, but she wonders if Spain prefers teachers that are young, nubile women and/or strong, strapping men as opposed to more elder individuals.

2) Should she learn basic Spanish before she arrives? Or will the immersion into the language be a sufficient introduction? She's bright and a natrual mimic, so she's thinking the immersion might work well. Either way, she plans to bring an electronic dictionary.

3) She plans to visit first before moving, and wonders if there is a large network of American teachers in Barcelona, and perhaps one or a few from which to rent a room or couch for a week or two, and if members of that network are generally welcoming and supportive of possible competition in locating employment. She's not looking to get rich, she's just looking for 20 or so hours a week.

4) She's read much on this forum about insurance, accommodations, working illegally (she respects Moore's POV on this topic as she respects all other members' POVs on the topic), certification options, etc. A friend of hers who lived in Spain (and taught illegally for five years) is very encouraging about the potential trip, and the friend says "You'll have no problem getting work." But the friend hasn't been there in four years, so things may have changed. Her friend also defined Barcelona as more cultural, and Madrid as more cosmopolitan and noisy.

5) She's willing to entertain beginning in another country, but she tends to enjoy a warm climate. However, she'll entertain and research all suggestions. Her time frame for this relocation is late 2006 or the fall of 2007.


This lady sincerely hopes that no one on this forum is put off by the fact that she persists in referring to herself in third person, and a current picture of her (and brief bio) is available at
http://www.pugbus.net/artman/publish/article_111119.shtml

She thanks you in advance for your assistance. : )

Namaste,
emily moore aka ej moore, Newbie

[spiral78]

Sorry, I'm too tired (35 contact hours this week!) to handle third person at the moment. However, my two cents' worth.....it's quite useful that you're aware of some of the realities of working illegally. However, be sure that you've considered the ramifications of health care.

You would certainly be cared for in an emergency situation, but travel insurance may find loopholes to avoid payment for any treatment, large or small, if it can be proven that you are living/working illegally. And you won't be eligible for health care coverage from any country you're living in illegally, of course. Basically, you'd be taking a financial risk in terms of health care for so long as you are living anywhere illegally. On the other hand, if you're American (like me) you may be taking the same risk at home (how many million Americans have no health care coverage?!!).

[emilymoore]

Thanks for the reminder, Spiral: I've no health care presently, so that part wouldn't change unless I found some sort of affordable international plan.

Also, I'm still trying to work out the 90 days in/out/in visa thing. My friend mentioned that she would go across the border and then come back, but I'll have to deeply research the legalities of that. She lived there before the EU Union, and when the tourist visas were 6 months in duration.

[Moore]

I'd echo Spirals's point about healthcare: as you get older bits start falling off at an increasingly alarming rate - a young strapping illegal worker can get over most things (apart from the ever present risk of an accident, and Spanish drivers have to be seen to be believed), but a good healthcare plan is not optional when you live and work abroad and are not covered - it is absolutely essential!

I don't think your age will pose you any problems work-wise and may give you the advantage of being taken a bit more seriously as a teacher by students whose teachers are often 22 years old.

[jr1965]

Greetings Emily,

1) Is it feasible for a single, child-free lady approaching the autumn of her years to pick up and travel to Spain? She's okay with the idea, but she wonders if Spain prefers teachers that are young, nubile women and/or strong, strapping men as opposed to more elder individuals.
If you have experience in business, and can teach business English/English for Specific Purposes, you should have no trouble picking up work here (though mind you, I'm in Madrid; I don't know about Barcelona). Several of my Spanish friends here work for some of the larger Spanish coporations (e.g., Telefonica) and they are in need of good, experienced teachers. If you're 25, great. If you're 50, that's fine, too. As long as you have the background.

2) Should she learn basic Spanish before she arrives? Or will the immersion into the language be a sufficient introduction? She's bright and a natrual mimic, so she's thinking the immersion might work well. Either way, she plans to bring an electronic dictionary.
YES! Learn some Spanish before you come. "Immersion" only works if you have some grounding in the langauge already, and, of course, speaking a langauge is about more than mimicry. Spanish people are very generous and will do their best to understand you, but it will be very challenging to understand and be understood if you hope to do so by "absorbing" the langauge. Sorry if I sound like I'm wagging a finger at you here; I'm not! I'm just saying it will be tough, so take a Spanish class in the US ... or here! You'll be glad you did.

3) She plans to visit first before moving, .
Visiting first sounds like a good idea.

4) She's read much on this forum about insurance, accommodations, working illegally (she respects Moore's POV on this topic as she respects all other members' POVs on the topic), certification options, etc. A friend of hers who lived in Spain (and taught illegally for five years) is very encouraging about the potential trip, and the friend says "You'll have no problem getting work." But the friend hasn't been there in four years, so things may have changed. Her friend also defined Barcelona as more cultural, and Madrid as more cosmopolitan and noisy.
As Spiral pointed out, and I have on other threads, don't underestimate the value of having some kind of health insurance or back-up plan should you get sick here. No kidding. It happened to me when I first arrived, and I was almost turned away at a public clinic (and I'm married to a Spanish guy!). All worked out in the end when they found I was in the process of getting my papers in order and was married to a citizen.There are clinics you can go to where the doctors speak English, but they are private and cost money...

In terms of Barcelona and Madrid, I think you should check out both, and maybe even cities in the south if you prefer a warmer climate. I live in Madrid, and though parts are interesting, overall it's not my favorite Spanish city by a long shot. As your friend pointed out, it's noisy (for me anyway...). It's also really hot in the summer and really cold in winter.

Good luck!

[emilymoore]

Thanks Moore, and JR. I truly appreciate the advice and suggestions. Also, a big thanks to Dave for creating this place.

I've been lucky so far to have kept all my bits and pieces in excellent condition, and I'll be researching health care plans along with everything else.

My most pressing concern is in deciding whether or not to finish my degree before heading there. That would set me back a couple of years on my arrival date, but I'm certain it would behoove me to get the piece of paper first. Another friend suggested a diploma mill but I have disdain for that route. I've been in touch with local colleges, and I qualify for legit life experience credits, so with my previous transcript credits, I might be able to finish a BA earlier that I think.

[spiral78]

Not sure that a BA would be necessary for the kind of illegal work you're considering. If you've got some relevant experience and that professional look, it may not be worth the time and expense. If you're going for that visit first, why not specifically ask that question at some language schools?

[spiral78]

Not sure that a BA would be necessary for the kind of illegal work you're considering. If you've got some relevant experience and that professional look, it may not be worth the time and expense. If you're going for that visit first, why not specifically ask that question at some language schools?

[emilymoore]

I'm able to easily achieve that "professional look" but my clothes of choice come mostly from LL Bean and Land's End, and my shoes of choice are mostly Doc Martens or sneakers. If I have to wear heels and hose though, I can always pop a Valium.

[jr1965]

My most pressing concern is in deciding whether or not to finish my degree before heading there. That would set me back a couple of years on my arrival date, but I'm certain it would behoove me to get the piece of paper first.


Emily, if you hope to eventually pursue a career in TESL/TEFL, I'd suggest getting the degree. You'll need it to secure a visa to teach in most countries (legally). As someone who taught without a visa (read: illegally) in a couple of countries years ago, believe me, it gets old very fast. You're completely at the mercy of your employer, frequently have no housing or health insurance, and if your employer decides not to pay you...you're out of luck.

Why not work on getting your degree and coming over to visit Spain during a summer or winter break? You won't be able to pick up (much) work perhaps during those times as schools here close for summer and the Dec/Jan holidays (and a lot of people in biz go on holiday, too), but you could come over and check out the lifestyle and see if it's right for you.

[skramble]

Hi Emily,

Go for it, really. Spain is a wonderful country and the people are very warm and open.

In terms of learning the language I would definitely get some basic grammar nailed before you come. Learning the past tense as well as the present suddenly means you can understand people chatting in bars and cafes rather than just instructions and questions. When you get here enrol on an intensive spanish course as it will help you get grounding in the language and meet loads of people (many of who are english teaching / language school teachers). They can also sort you out with accomodation in a family - this really helps your practice develop. There are several great schools and cities to learn at. I recommend the Giralda Centre in Seville but I'm sure you'll find one that suits you.

In terms of getting work, of course it's going to be much more straightforward if you have the paperwork, you're not continually checking your back for a start. See if you can fast track through your BA or sort out some kind of distance learning so that you cando the essays from Spain!

Good luck with your plan!

AMble