Job Discussion Forums

[joa02ds]

Hi.

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me!

I'll just explain my situation:

I'm a 23 year old British National with a B.A in Journalism and am working as a journalist. But want to go into teaching.

I thought maybe it will help a bit as my degree was obviously quite english language based.

I plan to do a CELTA course at IH in Barcelona in July but have a fair few questions about my plans. Some other posts have half-answered these, but I still need a bit of help.

I'm thinking that it will be worth paying that bit extra to do the CELTA and do it there as it may help me long term in securing a job/jobs.

I can't seemto find an answer sa to which language the course will be taught in (the IH CELTA) English or Spanish?

I'm currently learning Spanish but it still needs work. Does everyone who goes out there speak fluently? Is it essential to?

I was hoping to be able to make a living out there. I'm not bothered about making a lot of money, just enough and I will be happy to have several jobs to do this. I understand this is probably how it will work.

I think maybe I just need some re-assurance as to whether it will be possible to find work in Barcelona over summer and then in the new academic year?

Am I making the right decision in doing to CELTA at IH?

If anyone can help or give any advice I would be very greatful.
Thank You

Dave

[Iam]

Hi,

As far as the language used for teaching at IH Bcn goes, I strongly suspect it will be English. I would definitely recommend doing the Celta, btw.

You have to be a fluent English speaker to take the course in the first place ... I can't imagine it would then be taught in Spanish, but ring them (or the London IH if you want to keep the 'phone bill down) if you want to check.

You also asked about needing Spanish to get by, generally. In my experience you don't absolutely need it, but it's nice to have. My own is pretty poor atm ... about upper intermed for reading, lower intermed for listening, & elementary for speaking

Job adverts (www.loquo.com) for English teachers are mostly (but not all) in English, in Barcelona at least. The advertisers will speak English - usually. Looking for a flat? You'll find the odd advert on English, & more adverts where the advertisers say "ingles hablando".

That said, if you want to do more than scrape by, you'll need to learn Spanish. This place isn't like Holland, where half the people you meet will speak English (well, at least in toursit areas) - it's rare here. Having Spanish will make everyday life easier, having a poor level of it can turn seemingly simple tasks into major frustrations.

Don't let that put you off though, with no Spanish at all I'd say it's doable, & you are learning anyway. Plus, not knowing (enough) Spanish does make every day a bit of an adventure. Good luck.

Iam.

[lozwich]

[joa02ds]

Thanks guys.
Yea I cant wait to go.
Does anybody know what the job hunting situation is actually like in Barcelona. There seems to be some mixed messages posted?

[Iam]

With less qualifications than you'll have (no degree at all, just a Celta), & no teaching experience, I've got myself 14 hours per week in a school a bit outside Bcn.

That was from starting looking in January, when there was a surge in the job adverts, I reckon. There's still a steady flow of adverts tho, so I doubt you'd have too much trouble ... but, bring a cash reserve in case.

September is apparently the best time, July-August a desert.

Iam.

[pvbound]

Hey there - I am 29, American, an attorney, and ready for a bit of an adventure, a major change of scenery, and at least a year away in Spain. I lived in Sevilla on a study abroad about 7 years ago and have dreamed of it ever since I left. I have my heart set on Barcelona.

I have been spending some time researching my new ideas for a year off. I have been looking at the Trinity/Oxford course in Barcelona. My main question (which I know has been asked in different forms but with mixed answer) is that ideally for my savings plan and my time table I'd like to take the course in June or July, but looks to me like if I haven't gotten my certification completed by the end of May, my chances of finding work for the summer are pretty small?

Is that accurate? I.e. if I complete the certification in June or July, I'd have to wait til October to actually start working for the regular school year.

I feel like getting there by May is probably not giving myself enough time to save and tie things up here, but don't really want to wait til August. Any one out there who has any advice on the finding summer work situation would be really appreciated!! Also any comments on the Trinity/Oxford program in Barcelona. The other option woudl be to do the Canterbury program in Madrid which says they guarantee summer work, but I'd really prefer Barcelon, I think.

Thanks for any advice!!

Alycia

[joa02ds]

Thanks... well i guess i'm lucky that i am from mthe uk because when my celta is done end of august i can spend a few weeks getting jobs or maybe getting some hours lined up until september. Then, as long as i know i have hours i will work in october i could even pop back home for a fw weeks to save money because flights are so cheap. i guess i'll have to wait and see how it goes before i trundle back home though. but if i dont get anything in summer at all and i run out of money i'll have no option to come home for a bit and then go back.