Job Discussion Forums

punkurz · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Hello everyone!

I'm new obviously and I've been reading all the questions in this forum. I am 23 years old, from Miami. I am a dual citizen - US/Spain (EU). I am graduating college in April and although my goal in life is something other than teaching, I think TESL will give me a great opportunity to do more traveling. I have a home in Madrid, so I wouldn't have to worry about living expenses and I think I can save a lot of money. Here are some of my questions:

Where do I start? I guess the answer is here! Any other suggestions?

I am looking to start teaching in a year. I want to get one year of grad school under my belt before leaving the states. I have learned from the forums that it is better to get a certificate in the country you want to be employed so, that leads me to this...

which is the best certificate to get? I've inferred from posts that the CELTA is the best. Am I right?

which school is the best to get the certificate at in Madrid? Can you provide a website?

Am I kidding myself thinking I can get a job in Madrid?

I will have a BS and 1yr of grad school, plus I am fluent in both English and Spanish. Also, I am a teaching assistant at my university (teaching in a culinary class though), does this count as experience?

how much money will I be able to save working in Madrid?

also, I will be moving with my boyfriend of 6 years. He is not an EU citizen. Will he be able to get a job? Would he have to get citizenship somehow (ie being married by then... we are kind of not into the idea of marriage)?

And finally, how do some of you find working in Madrid? Do you like it? Which school do you recommend to work for?

Any other wisdoms you would like to bestow upon me are accepted with open arms and thank yous. Once again, thank you all in advance for your help. Sorry for the length.

-Bianca

Nicky_McG · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 190

Don't bother doing a certifictate if you only plan to stay in Spain and don't want to be a career teacher. If you do then I think CELTA is the best one (it doesn't matter where you do it). You will easily get a job in Madrid provided you don't come in the middle of summer. As for saving money then it really depends on your lifestyle...If you teach in company classes then you could possibly save up to 500 euros (you'll be working long days from monday to thursday though). Your bf will also easily get a job (teaching)and unless unlucky will not have any problems with immigration etc. Working in Madrid is good but if I had my time again I would probably choose somewhere like Valencia (though the nightlife is good in Madrid feels a little like a prison sometimes). As for schools it really depends as everyone has their opinion...i'd avoid somewhere like International House if teaching is not a career. Hope this helps

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

To be really clear, your bf will be working illegally. It's common in Spain, though there are some risks. Short of marraige, there's almost zero chance that he will be eligible for any legal work permits.

punkurz · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Will I be able to get a job without a certificate? and how do I go about getting a job? Since you mentioned to not go midsummer, when is the best time?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I think the no-certificate idea is a bad one, personally.

MOST newbie teachers have certification - why put yourself at a competitive disadvantage right away? Also, a good training centre can give you invaluable info about reputable schools in the region.

And without any specific ideas of how to teach, you've got little of substance to offer potential paying students.

Most people get jobs in the region by going around to the schools with CV in hand. It's very rare to land any contract from abroad, unless you have specialist qualifications. The directors generally want to see you standing in front of them, looking professional and reliable.

Most contracts run September(mid to late, or even early October) through June. Hiring may begin at the end of August or early Sept. But August is generally a 'dead' month in all of Europe. Everybody's on holiday. That's why there's little point to try to job-hunt in July/early August.

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

You don't really need a qualification given your papers and Spanish if you're going to be in Madrid as the job situation is very good here, but it really can't hurt, especially if you end up going somewhere like Barcelona.

In terms of the bf with no papers, Madrid would seem the favourite there again as teachers are in such strong demand: it would maybe be a good idea for him to do a qualification to get him off to a good start.

_________________________________________________________________________
...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

punkurz · Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Thank you for your help guys.

I have another question (Im full of them). Anyway, I know a CV is a resume from my experience in Europe but is it any different than an American resume? Should I translate my resume to Spanish?

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

Don't translate your cv (usually recruiters are native English speakers, and anyway, it's pretty much their business to speak English).

The only difference really here is that companies like you to put a photo on your cv to make sure you look nice and clean cut and presentable.

________________________________________________________________________
...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

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I agree with Moore that a photo is normal on a CV - but also some other data we wouldn't necessarily put there in the States, including your age, marital status, and nationality. In your case, I think it's a real plus to have both your nationalities near the top of the page.

Nicky_McG · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 190

I would question that most new teachers have certification...I have met a lot and the majority didn't. As for reputable schools...there aren't really any and it would be better to find out the bad ones than listen to an academy with an agenda... (i did my CELTA at IH and was just given a list of schools that i could have got from the yellow pages. I can't stress enough how easy it is to get a job in madrid...