Job Discussion Forums

[Antaraaaa]

Hi:)

Happy holidaze! I have a question: Would a 35 year old Tesol- ( no degree) but valid EU passport holder have a good chance of making a living somewhere in SPain?

I have very little expenses......don't smoke, don't drink, no kids and I have no outstanding debt. I would love to learn spanish and plan to stay at least a year. I have about a years worth of experience teaching in asia I have great references:)

I would welcome any suggestions:)

Thanks

[Spainish]

"don't smoke, don't drink"

...and you want to live in Spain? Get ready to start!!!

If you have an EU passport and a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate and/or at least TESOL experience I would say you have a fairly good chance of finding work as well as being able to make a living... people do it with a lot less... and by a lot less I mean being an EU passport holder... as typically that is the key to getting into the higher paying "real" contracted English teaching jobs.

Suerte,

Spainish

[Iam]

Hi,

I'm 41, EU passport, Celta cert, but no degree, & no experience of teaching.

I came to Barcelona (where work is, I've read, harder to come by than in Madrid) on 4/1/06, spammed about 8 schools with my CV, & sent an electronic CV in reply to 7 or 8 advertised posts (at loquo.com). There were a number of ads I didn't reply due, as experience was obviously a prerequisite.

Results so far :

7 hours a week teaching at a school an hour's journey outside Barca, with a contract to be signed this week, to cover me to July I think, at 11 euros an hour. Started yesterday - really enjoying it.

Interview I had today, probable offer of 4 hours "in-company" work at (probably) 15 euros/hour.

2 separate interviews this coming Thursday for more work (wish me luck).

Bearing in mind I've only been here 4 weeks or so, it seems there is work here for inexperienced EU Celta cert holders. I think I may have caught a wave of January work ... next wave is surely in September when the term starts. The work is scattered ... I reckon it's rare for someone without a lot of experience/qualifications to arrive in Spain & get a straight 25 hours at one single school. Picking up hours in various places seems the norm ... but then again, that pays, public transport is cheap & effective (compared to the UK), & whilst doing it you're picking up experience/getting your foot in the proverbial door for further hours.

I'm expecting/hoping to be able to make ends meet fairly soon, though the lack of work over the Summer term may dent those hopes. I've funds to keep myself for some time if not though ... as others have advised on these forums, it's best to come with the money to keep yourself for a bit whilst you get your hours up, & also to come at the right time ... think I got lucky (it certainly was good judgement) in starting my job search in January.

Whether there are other good times to look for work other than Jan/Sep I'm not sure, it may be in the Stickys up top.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Iam.