Job Discussion Forums

[littlebadmonkey]

I was wondering how hard it would be to get freelance work(preferably Business English) in Spain for someone like myself who would be new to the industry. About my background, I have a degree in Business Economics and couple years experience working in a Finance/Accounting Dept for a Fortune500 company here in southern California. I don't have any teaching experience but I would be getting my TEFL cert before I leave California. I'm Mexican American so I do understand a lot of spanish and can speak at a beginner level but with a little practice I could move to an intermediate level within months.

I know the biggest hurdle is going to be the work visa. I wouldn't mind working under the table. Are there different work visas for teaching english in a language school as oppossed to freelance work? If I was unable to get a visa would this be a bigger hurdle in doing freelance work more so then teaching in a classroom? I would rather teach english in a business setting then in a classroom. Is freelance work something you can do only after you have built up contacts or are there agencies out there that specialize in this type of work?

I would prefer to work in Barcelona(as it is similar to California,at least to me) but from reading others postings it seems there is more work in Madrid. I was backpacking in both cities this past summer and I would be happy working in either city.

I appreciate any advice.

[spiral78]

You can probably find illegal work.


The problem now is that, as of Jan 1 2008, non-EU citizens can legally be IN the Schengen zone (including Spain - google it for a full list) for only 90 days, and then they must be OUT for 90 days before re-entering. In the past, a border run and a new stamp renewed your legal status, but now you have to stay out - a huge distinction.

The next practical question is how likely it is that you would be caught.

I haven't been into Spain myself in 2008, but I regularly travel around Western Europe (live in the Netherlands, have a home in the Czech Rep) on a US passport. I have been questioned at airports, train stations, and even on a BUS this year. (I'm legal and have documents to prove it).

Obviously, this is just one person's experience, but it seems that the chances of getting caught in general are pretty high these days.