Job Discussion Forums

[blue123]

I just finished an ESL job in Asia and want to get an ESL job in Spain next. I would like to travel a little bit in Asia first, for a month or so, which would put November, or maybe end of Oct, as my available time for starting work. I see that mid Sept through early Oct is the typical hiring time for new teachers in Spain (and then again in Jan). What is the likelihood of finding a job in Spain that would start in November, or at the earliest late October? I'm wondering if I should give up my Asia travel plans and take the first job offer I can get in Spain so that the fall hiring season doesn't pass me up, but I really don't want to do that.

[Sashadroogie]

Sorry to ask this question again, but do you have a passport from an EU country? If not, I wouldn't give up any travel plans in Asia as securing work will be problematic.

[spiral78]

In addition to the correct passport, you will also need to be in Spain to interview in person. Unlike Asia, most jobs in the European region are not secured from abroad - this is a much more competitive job market at the newbie level.

Also, do keep in mind that experience in Asia won't give you much of an edge over brand-new teachers here - the teaching approaches and methods, and student motivation and expectations are very different between the two regions, and employers are well-aware that having taught Asian students won't necessarily equip a teacher to work effectively with European ones.

[jonniboy]

Bad idea. There really isn�t a lot around in November, especially if you�re outside the big two cities.

[pr455]

I can speak for Madrid and there are still academies looking for teachers. I see ads every single day on many websites. There are some classes in November, but not as much demand as in September or even October.

I would say give it a try and see what they say.

Shawn

[blue123]

I do have an EU passport. I'd rather not go to Spain without a job lined up first; it's just too expensive to do so without any assurances of how long it would be before finding a job. Jonniboy, I was guessing that my chances of finding an off-(hiring) season job might be easier outside the major cities because I would be competing against less applicants. Not so?

How is teaching in Spain different? It would be good for me to know so that I can address this in interviews and on cover letters!

[jonniboy]

Your chances of lining up a job before coming here really are small to non existent, especially outside the main hiring periods. I�ve eight years experience and sent off lots of CVs before coming down. I got positive feedback and interest in employing me, but no one offered me anything more concrete than an interview.

There may be less people chasing jobs in Valencia and the smaller cities but there�s also less jobs, Moore, Shawn and the others here will tell you that there are more jobs in Madrid. They know what they�re talking about and I would take their advice seriously.

[pr455]

Please listen to spiral78 and jonniboy on this one. Experience in Asia does not mean that you are guaranteed a job because of that. Teaching in each area of the world is different.

It's great that you want to have a job lined up ahead of time, but that's not going to happen. You have to be here in Spain to interview and to make it happen. As I have said before, I can speak for Madrid, and there are still plenty of academies looking for teachers and a TEFL is a definite foot in the door here in Madrid. You should consider getting one, since many academies are asking for them. Just a thought!

I would say that there is less work in smaller cities because of less academies. Someone please correct me if I am way off base with this one.

So, in essence, you must be here in Spain to interview to get the job.

Suerte,

Shawn

[spiral78]

I've been teaching in Europe for about ten years, but I've worked with Asian students in Canada. I have never taught in Asia. However, I've been on hiring committees here and I can tell you what I've seen and been told about some of the differences between Asian and European students.


European students are normally far more mature and have real goals for their English. Most entry-level teachers (you) will find themselves teaching businesspeople in their offices, though in Spain you might find yourself working with kiddies. Adult learners here want to see some real results in return for the time they spend studying. They're not interested in a white face, Anglo-Saxon good looks, or lessons focusing on UK culture, unless it's related directly to business.

They are less respectful and more demanding, and are not normally interested in 'fun' lessons to the degree that Asian students may expect.

They'll be somewhat less concerned with accuracy and definitely more concerned with functional language. They're not usually afraid to speak, and they're likely to tell you what they need and want to study.

It will be good if you show some understanding of the differences, when and if you get over here to actually find a job.

[pr455]

[spiral78]

Hi, Shawn

Yes, I totally agree that lessons can include fun, so long as there is also a clear language purpose.


That's why I said 'to the degree that Asian students may expect' in my original post on the topic. What I have experienced and heard about Asian students is that they very often expect a native speaker teacher to be more about fun, and they may not be as interested in the actual goals of a lesson/set of lessons as European students.

You also pointed out 'interesting' as a positive aspect, and again I entirely agree - European students have had plenty of dry material that is not necessarily tailored to their needs and interests, and one of the great things about teaching businesspeople and uni students is that they do have some real needs (in most cases) that can form the basis for interesting - and fun- relevant lessons.

Best,
spiral

[pr455]

Spiral,

Thanks so much for your response. Now I understand what you mean by "fun" because I have never worked with Asian students before and even working in that part of the world doesn't interest me.

I enjoy reading your responses and enjoy the way you write and clarify previous posts that you have written.

Kudos,

Shawn

[blue123]

Thanks for you advice. I do have TEFL certification. I thought that with EU citizenship, a TEFL cert and a year's experience, getting a job in Spain while abroad would be easier than my experience thus far and your advice shows.

Most of the job ads I've seen have been for smaller towns rather than Madrid; what websites do you recommend for job ads in Madrid?

Also, are there EFL teacher recruiting companies that deal with Spain? Since being abroad is a particular disadvantage here, it'd be great to have the help of a recruiter, but I haven't seen any that deal with Spain.

Any guesses on the speed at which I could find a job if I went to Madrid in Nov? For me, it's not simply a cheap air ticket from the UK, but a flight from Asia, so I'd want to make sure it's worth the gamble.

[spiral78]

[steen]

I agree with the fact that getting a job before arriving is nearly impossible. In my experience academies in spain like to see in person and chat with potential employees before giving out jobs. i think you could get a job in Madrid within a week to 10 days ( in oct,nov,dec ) if you dropped off your cv at every academy you could find.
Get yourself a copy of a free monthly newspaper called �In Madrid� from an irish pub and in the classifieds section there are many academies looking for teachers.