Job Discussion Forums

[zenje87]

Let me start with a quick profile of myself and my situation:

I am completely new to the world of TEFL. I have no experience teaching although I recently completed a 100 hour TESL/TESOL certification program which did include teaching practice (with peers rather than actual students). I am a recent college graduate (2009 - International Studies and Spanish), have always wanted to live long term Europe, and just recently decided to teach ESL as a means of doing so. I am planning on making my move to Barcelona early September to begin looking for work. I have dual European citizenship (USA/UK), so there is no need for me to apply for a visa once I am there, and I speak Spanish fluently given my and time spent in Latin America during college.

Now the questions!

1. What is the likelihood that I will find a job when I get there, given my experience and profile? My major concern in this area is that I have no real experience, although it is my hope that other factors such as my citizenship, language skills, degree and TEFL certification will help me out. Paired with the competition I expect to face over there for jobs and the current state of the Spanish economy, I can't help but feel slightly concerned that it will be tougher than I imagined to be able to support myself. Is there anything I can do to make myself stand out and without a doubt get the job?

2. When I find a job, how much should I expect to make? How much is necessary to survive? Is there a minimum salary I should expect when looking for a contract?

3. I am paying off student loans, the monthly payments being 350 American dollars per month. Can I expect to make enough to live reasonably, afford a couple drinks on the weekend and pay this monthly payment, or will my quality of life be greatly affected? As I see it, there is no reason for me to live in Barcelona if I can't enjoy my life because I am always broke.

4. I am currently saving as much money as I can before I set off in September. I hope to have saved up around $4,000 American. Is this enough of a safety net? What is the minimum I should leave with, not including the plane ticket, which will allow me to afford all expenses while I search for a job?

5. How is it finding somewhere to live in the city? I've done craigslist searches just to get a feel for the market, and it looks like finding a room in a shared apartment would not be too hard, given I have the money. Is this the case?

6. What should be my plan of action once I arrive? I know that during my first month there, I need to use my time wisely to set up for the success of my overseas experience - I would hate to come home jobless and penniless after a couple months! What do I need to do to make sure this doesn't happen?

I know these are a lot of questions, but they are worth asking! If ANYONE has any experience teaching in Barcelona, or is there now, don't hesitate to contact me. I can use all the advice I can get! Thanks a lot!

-Daniel

[elliot_spencer]

$350 is about 250euros.... Yes, you can pay it off no probs but don't expect to be going out and enjoying life.. Europe is not cheap!

In Italy I made 1200Euro ... and I guess Cagliari (Sardinia where I lived), is just as expensive as Barce... How was life? Well.. Now I am in China!! Go figure!

Do you have a US accent?? If Spain is anything like Italy.. it's not very American friendly!

Good luck

[rafaella]

Hi Daniel,

The fact that you have an EU passport is a prerequisite. Having a degree is not vital but most candidates will have one. I don't know the TESL qualification which you mentioned but the accepted wisdom is that the minimum requirement is CELTA/Trinity (or equivalent) which entails 120 hours of study and includes teaching 'real' students as opposed to peers. This doesn't mean you can't get a job but it could make it a little more difficult. Speaking Spanish will not be a selling point in any part of Spain (unless you are applying for a management position) and remember that Barcelona is in Catalonia! Given all of the above facts, you are probably slightly less qualified than most newbies. However, ...

In order to stand out, you need to put together as good a CV as you can, highlighting all the points which could make you of interest to a potential employer. Then you need to visit as many schools as you can (looking suitable well-presented) and make a good impression. A professional approach can count for a lot.

There are a lot of summer schools in both the UK and Spain. You could make good use of your summer by working at one as this would give you some experience to put on your CV.

Take a look at job adverts to get an idea of salaries. Entry-level jobs are not well-paid. You need to calculate all of your essential monthly outgoings - loan, rent, food & transport and then deduct that from the average monthly salary. Only you will know if what is left is enough to live on. How frugal are you ... or are you prepared to be?

$4,000 is probably enough (just) to survive on until you find something. Another $1,000 would be preferable!

Finding somewhere to live is not that difficult. Finding somewhere affordable and decent is more challenging but it depends how picky you are. You could take a look at loquo.com as well as craigslist.

I think you could make this work but you will have to be determined (willing to put in the legwork), well-organised and financially disciplined until you get set up.

I'll be happy to try to help if you have any other questions.

[wiganer]

Hello Daniel,

Hmmm - I would give Barcelona a miss. I would try for a smaller city such as Zaragoza where it will be easier to find work. 4000 USD would be the minimum for someone who had family back in the UK to fly home to, do you have family who would put you up in Blighty if it went pear shaped? If not, I would take about 8000 USD - There is no mad rush - don't fly in skidding on your arse like a lot of people do - I don't think 4000 USD is anywhere near enough to set yourself up if all your family is in America and especially if you want to work in Barcelona and you have student loans you need to pay off monthly.

[rafaella]

Good point. I took it the OP meant he would have $4,000 as well as the plane ticket. If that's not the case, then I'd agree $4,000 is not enough unless he's got someone he can stay with in the UK if all else fails. It's interesting that you should mention Zaragoza as I've noticed there always seem to be a fair number of jobs being advertised there. The thing is, though, the OP seems set on Barcelona.

[zenje87]

Thank you all for your input. It definitely has raised concerns in my mind that I need to face in order for me to make this work. Mulling it over in my mind, I have concluded that although it would be great, Barcelona may not be the best place for me to start my ESL career, as too many factors such as competition and high cost of living in the city are against me. I am opening up to the option of working anywhere in Spain. I know some of you mentioned Zaragoza - are there any other cities that are comparable, i.e. where it would be easier for me to find work with my credentials since I will not have CELTA/Trinity Cert? Also, is there any way I can start the job search from over here in the states before I arrive, at least setting up interviews in the city I eventually choose, or should I put that out of my mind and wait until I get there?

Thanks a lot!

-Daniel

[rafaella]

I think that, at least while you are in America, you should apply for jobs that come up anywhere in Spain (for which you meet the requirements) rather than concentrating on one specific area. Keep your options as open as possible. You can start you search from America by looking at the job boards on Dave's and also on tefl.com.

If that doesn't yield any results and you have to wait until you arrive in Spain to secure a job, then that would be the time to focus on specific locations. I'd be inclined to say you should go for a city but not Barcelona or Madrid (a lot of competition for jobs and a higher cost of living). Zaragoza, Bilbao, Oviedo and Valencia are cities that spring to mind as possibilities. You could start researching those cities now to find out more about what they are like.

Be sure to make it very clear in your covering letter and on your CV that you have an EU passport. If they glance at your CV and assume you are American, your application will probably end up in the rubbish bin. Nothing against Americans, it's just that it is very difficult for schools in Spain to justify recruiting an American.