Job Discussion Forums

[jackquack]

Hi everyone

This is my first post here, I'm using it to pick your collective brains on recommended schools in Barcelona, as I am moving there in a few weeks and am in the process of arranging interviews etc. for when I arrive.

My girlfriend and I are Celta-trained, with 2 years of experience teaching a variety of levels and are very keen to work in a school which can offer the type of in-house feedback and on-the-job training which can help us to improve further as teachers. We are EU so no problem for work papers etc.

Having worked in France I know that some schools have lower requirements regarding their new teachers and lower standards of practice as a result. We are motivated and arrogant enough to want more than the average Wall Street/ Berlitz model.

I'd be interested to know your thoughts on:

a. Whether our qualifications/experience allow us to be picky or if we should just be happy with whatever is thrown our way, dammit!

b. names of 'decent' schools which offer this type of support (I'm considering IH Barcelona, Lewis School and the Cambridge School - are they any good?)

Cheers!!

Jack

[SirKirby]

I'd say you've got a head-start on applicants with "only" CELTA but no experience (or no CELTA, or equivalent), so your qualifications look OK to me.

Don't personally know much about the Lewis School but IH Barcelona and Cambridge School (in Granollers, about 35km away) would be right at the top of my list, as being "serious", reasonably well-equipped and interested in in-house teacher development, among other things.

I'd also definitely include Merit School, and the language school at the Instituci� Cultural del CIC high on my list.

[jackquack]

Sirkirby - thanks!

They seem like exactly the type of thing we're looking for - my compliments on your taste in schools...!

We're finalising travel arrangements and are looking at a date mid to late september (a quick search reveals that this seems to be a good time to be looking for employment... right?)

Is there a listings magazine for teaching jobs in Barcelona? My tactics will be almost wholly centred upon turning up with a suit, a smile and a CV - any other advice?

Thanks!

Jack

[SirKirby]

Mid-September is about the best time to be here.

The smile and the CV are a good idea, but personally I'd ditch the suit. Look smart but casual. Very few Barcelona schools expect people to wear suits or even ties, unless it's teaching in businesses or a posh university.

You won't find a single place listing jobs.

[SirKirby]

The language center at the business school ESADE should really be on such a list -- but basically you won't get in there with "just" CELTA +experience. They want DELTA as well...

[Moore]

I'd probably also add Essor and Astex to that list: good solid schools, proper contracts.



_________________________________________________________________________
...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

[jackquack]

Thanks again guys - really useful information

I'll let you know how we get on!

Jack