Job Discussion Forums

[victor moss]

Hi!

I've finally made it, I'm all set to make the move to Buenos Aires! If any of you English teachers now working in Buenos Aires have taught in Spain, I'd like to know some compartive notes. Pretty much the same as teaching in Spain? I know for one thing there's more money to earn in Madrid but again Argentina is a lot cheaper than Spain, so any insights on the Madrile�a vida vs the porte�a vida???? I've already made contacts with different language schools, well actually the TEFL school I studied with did it for me so I've been in contact with some schools in Buenos Aires, some willing to hire me based on teaching experience in Spain, my TEFL cert, my degree, on one condition though, that they see who they're offering the job to!

Well, Spain was pretty hot on the "cara a cara " job interviews as well, so no big deal there. Thanks for any advice.


Victor

[Thailandneil]

Unless you work very hard and very smart the life of an English teacher in BsAs is tough tough tough. Yes everything is cheaper but wages are also scandalously low. Institutes pay anything from 17 - 20 pesos an hour. When you subtract transport costs (80c each way), travel time and prep time the pay is hardly worth getting out of bed for.

The number one factor which makes it difficult here is renting an apartment. Unless you are very lucky you will have no option other than to rent at foreigner prices which start from around U$220 (700pesos) a month, i.e 50% of a good salary. Excluding rent I spend around 1200 pesos a month but that is living cheaply i.e going out once a week, cooking 90% of meals, not buying new clothes.

Some positive notes are: there is plenty of work because of the above conditions, there is very little hassle with working under the table and going to Uruguay every 3 months for visas.

I've been here 3 months now and am seriously considering re-locating to Madrid in January. How is the life of the English there?

[Maria Kirby]

I started my EFL teaching career in Madrid, moved to BsAs in Aug 2005, been here since then, have enjoyed my time here and hopefully if all works as planned, I'll be trying my EFL luck in Japan by Jan/Feb of 2007. Madrid and Bs As have a lot in common, yet different in so many ways. Bottom line, they're both great cities to be in and they both know how to enjoy life to the fullest! NO point in comparing prices because Madrid pays higher but its more expensive than BsAs. You�re looking at earning 16-20 pesos an hour in BsAs, as high as 25 pesos an hour for privates. BsAs is liveable although dont expect a life of luxury! But again, a teacher's salary, you'll never get rich anywhere, but then you get the flexibility, the time and the independence to see the world, learn about new cultures, something you can't do with 2 weeks vacation a year! Bs As's great, easy to make friends and like most Latin countries, fun is taken seriously. suerte!

Maria

[Laura Rowell]

Hi

Did the reverse, did the EBC course here in BsAs, really liked it, great tutor, very professional and supportive school. But my question is, I'd like to try Madrid in Jan/Feb, 2007. I've already informed them at EBC of my move to Madrid, they've sent my resume out with their recent graduating class and now I understand why they say the grads over there can get overwhelmed. They kept on calling, wasn't too happy when they found out I was still in BsAs but some of them seemed nice so I'll contact them when I get there. On the Spain forum, just about everyone says work isn't a problem, that there is a lot of teaching work around so at least on that count I'm fine. What I'd really like to know is others' opinions, experiences for those who did the BsAs-Madrid move? Any advice, tips ? Things to watch out for or to prepare for? Maybe as far as teaching Spanish students vs Argentines?? Maybe not much different but I'd still like to know. Thanks a lot.



Laura

[sh07024]

hey laura,

There are differences ... the Argentine student seems to put a lot more interest in their English classes , I think mainly because they're not common fare benefits there as they are for big companies in Madrid. So the difference - Argentines seem to take their classes more seriously. I teach in company classes at BBVA, Telefonica, Accenture, Investronica, and all my students�companies pay for the English classes.

Talking, I'd say just about the same, both nationalities seem to want to talk before they can walk! Nice bunch of studenst though. Also because the business hours are quite different, lunch is from 2-4, and lots end work at 7, 8 pm you'll be pressed to find an English teacher eating lunch at 2-4 because we're all teaching, working away!

I teach from 8-10, M-Th, 2-4 M-Th and from 5-6:30 M-Th. The schools I work for pay between 15-18 euros an hour so I'm good, but its definitely more expensive here.

If you can interview with the same academies I work for, (I know they're always looking for teachers) then you'll be fine. So far so good. Ask them at EBC who the good ones are, they're bound to know, there are so many of us ex students at these academies, some kind of feedback must have gone back to them by now. If you're all set in Jan, send me a pm, I'll be in Madrid for the Madrile�a christmas and new year (need a crash course in downing 12 grapes in 12 seconds!) and maybe we'll get together.


shirley

[Sandra B]

Hi everyone,

I�m hoping to start work in Buenos Aires in March but I�m planning on getting there mid Feb. I'm an EBC grad from Madrid and although the search for work is not top of the list at this point, making friends is. I�m hoping to make new friends because I'm planning on staying at least a year. The search for work is pretty much taken care of, but the social side of the relocation unfortunately I think I need to sort out for myself! Any relocated ex Madrid teachers out there? I've been reading some interesting insights on this forum about these 2 cities, but more info would be great! If you'd like to send me a pm, I'd like to hear from you, suggestions, advice, thoughts, comparative notes, etc. ??

Thanks in advance,


Sandra