Job Discussion Forums

[Lamadrid]

I was wondering how the school year calender in Spain worked? Is there a Sept.- June calender like in the US? or is like some Latin American countries where it begins in Mid-Jan? How is getting work teaching english there? Has anyone had any trouble? How important is it to have a TEFL certification there?

thanks!
Linda

[b harmon]

Hi!

Pretty much the same, they start around the last week of Sept, first week of Oct and run through the end of June, mid July. Then there are the summer camps, intensive courses, exam preparations in July and August. There is work in Madrid, no doubt about that, it's just a matter of how much you want to earn and where they send you. You don't teach in just one company, there is travel involved. Pay rates average between 14-17 euros an hour, but I know some schools that pay 18/hour. Privates pay around 20+euros an hour. The schools I work for (I work for 3) only wanted teachers with TEFl certs.

I did a TEFL cert because although English is my first language I knew that wasn't enough for me to teach it. Looking back I'm glad I did train because if I didn't , I don't think I would have survived those advanced students I had when I just started. I'm more confident now so I'd say my TEFL cert gave me my start. I learned about grammar, lesson planning, teaching diff. levels, etc. The schools I work for I met through the school's job placement program and as you teach more, you learn to adapt your style, have fun and enjoy your classes. One thing for sure Madrid is one fun town and I hope you enjoy it as well.

suerte y hasta luego,


Brian

[CMB]

The situation is pretty similar in Barcelona. There's plenty of work all year, and schools definitely use the cert. as a starting point when deciding who to hire. It's a good idea to do a course in the city where you want to live since most of them have good contacts with language schools.
Good luck!