Job Discussion Forums

[TeacherTrekker]

I am an American with 3 years teaching experience at a public middle school, certified in Secondary English (Humanities) and Social Studies with a Masters of Arts in Teaching and a Masters of Arts in English. I have intermediate/advanced spanish language skills. Do I have any hope of employment teaching in Spain?

I know that I should basically forget it since I am not a EU citizen, however, at many of the websites for American schools in Spain, both D.O.D. and non-government schools there doesn't seem to be any restrictions against Americans that they have explicitly stated. Also, some International schools seem to be the same way.

Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge on this topic? (I know that the general rule of thumb is Americans should forget about Europe, but still...)

Also, any suggestions on websites to begin my search?

I have applied for a foreign teacher exchange program through the Spanish Embassy in the US (like the Cultural Assistant Program) but I want to apply for other positions while I am waiting to hear back.

Thanks for any help you can offer

[spiral78]

Yes - if you can find an opening at a DOD or international school, you have a chance. The difficulty is that these openings are not plentiful, and when such jobs do become available, they often go to teachers with local contacts and reputation.

Private language schools (where by far most of the openings are) won't be able to get you a work permit - it's far too onerous for them to bother, when there are many UK teachers around - and where your advanced quals won't be particularly needed (these jobs are newbie friendly).

I suggest you apply at all the schools you can find that don't explicitly restrict applications to EU citizens - but I'd make sure to have a Plan B that doesn't involve Western Europe.

[pr455]

I agree with Spiral78 100% on this one, and I would also add that you stand a better chance coming over on student visa and having that turned into a work visa because it's easier than starting from scratch. I have had several friends have their student visa easiyly turned into a work visa because they were already in the system.

Good luck and please let us know how it turns out.

Shawn