Job Discussion Forums

jwatts83 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego

Hi,
I know it's kind of early, but I was wondering if anyone here has any advice on getting a job at a summer camp, or on finding work over the summer in Spain? I am female, 24, with a BA in History and am a US citizen.

Right now I'm working as a language assistant until the end of June and I have a student NIE card which should be good through October 2008. I also have a TEFL certificate from UC Irvine Extension.

I know that Canterbury English has summer camps, but I don't know if I have to have a TEFL from their program to work there, or if they would be flexible about that. I'm going to drop by next week and ask.

Also, should I stay in Madrid during the summer, or would I be able to find work outside of Madrid? Are there any camps that you can recommend? Or any that I should avoid like the plague? How much do they usually pay, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any advice! Smile

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

The odd job is already popping up for summer, here�s one that popped up on our site yesterday...

http://www.lingobongo.com/madrid/display.php?item_id=4061

...another thing to do is to get in touch with a load of schools asking specifically for summer camp work. The visa thing should not be an issue for summer camps, that's more of a problem when it comes to business classes. There are a lot of Madrid based schools who do summer camps just outside Madrid in the Sierra, teaching (rather bratty) kids but you get pretty decent money for it.

Do not stay in Madrid during July and August if you want any work: there is very close to zero, especially for a new arrival: get yourself out into the hills or to the North coast Very Happy

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin... www.lingobongo.com

...send your c.v. around ALL the schools in Madrid, Barcelona or Berlin in one hit with our c.v. sending service... www.lingobongo.com

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

quote: "Are you sure that's correct? I can think of a lot of organizations that run summer camps that would DEFINITELY NOT employ anyone without proper papers, even for summer camps..."

...it seems to be the situation here in Madrid for the non-EU teachers who either go to the sierra here or up to Galicia.

Maybe it's all about supply and demand as there is still a massive shortage of teachers here in Madrid.

Some company clients here are starting to demand papers for the teachers who come and work in-company for reasons of EU training subsidies and insurance/health and safety policies, but of course this doesn't really apply to summer camps.

To be honest though, I think a lot of non-EU people give up trying here in summer and go off to another country where they'll get a regular salary and paid holidays, or just go home for the summer and work and see their folks and come back in September.

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin... www.lingobongo.com

...send your c.v. around ALL the schools in Madrid, Barcelona or Berlin in one hit with our c.v. sending service... www.lingobongo.com

Nicmelide · Joined: 16 Jan 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Galicia, Spain

You could try English summer, (www.englishsummer.com think there's an application form there), based around Tarragona. I worked there last summer with lots of Americans and Canadians, and had a fantastic time.

jwatts83 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego

Thanks!

I replied to the ad on lingobongo and had an interview yesterday (Friday). I think it went pretty well, so I'm waiting to hear back. Very Happy

asgerd · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 33

Moore - I just (bothered my **** and) looked at your website for the first time. Pretty handy stuff - thanks for that.

(No I am in no way associated with Moore's website, family or business interests!)

jwatts83 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego

Thanks Moore! I got the job!!!

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Glad to help... Very Happy

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona and Berlin... www.lingobongo.com

...send your c.v. around ALL the schools in Madrid, Barcelona or Berlin in one hit with our c.v. sending service... www.lingobongo.com

gotaqua · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Ca.

hopefully, the original poster is still watching this thread..

I take it you are doing the MEC program. i would be very interested in hearing what you think of the program, work, people, suppport, pay vs. cost of living, etc. as I am looking into applying to this program myself.

Thanks!

jwatts83 · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 15 Location: San Diego

Hi,
Yes I'm doing the MEC program. I'd definitely recommend applying, especially this coming year because it seems like you could go anywhere in Spain now, even Ibiza or Tenerife, to teach English with MEC.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. [email protected].