Job Discussion Forums

stevehamlyn87 · Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 27

I am currently looking for work in either Madrid or Barcelona. I am a native Enlgish national with a CELTA, BA and about 4mths teaching experience in England. I have been applying to schools in both cities but I would prefer to work in Barcelona, although most of the schools that have offered me interviews are based in Madrid. My question is which city would I be most likely to find full time teaching work in? If I can't find a decent job from abroad I am planning to fly out next week and hand my CV out to as many language schools as possible, would I be right in thinking Madrid would probably be the more likely place to find work at this time?

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

I can't think of any reason at all why one or the other should necessarily be easier to find work in. Key is being willing to go wherever the work is, especially at this time of the year, when most schools have probably covered their needs as far as teachers are concerned.

In Barcelona, I'm definitely seeing job offers, not a lot, but some, and there are also in-company classes to be had. I imagine exactly the same could be said for Madrid.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Right now there is a lot of work in Madrid: everyone I know has more classes than they need and some are even trying to offload hours.

Personally I think it's probably easier to get work in Madrid. I've worked in both cities, and I got the distinct impression that there is a lot more competition for jobs because Barcelona is a lot more of a desirable place to live, at least on paper: beach, culture, general hip-ness.

Of course, once you're established, both cities are probably more or less the same: you can only do so many hours per week.

Frankly, as a beginner in Spain, I'd go for Madrid, but that said, Barcelona is indeed an amazing city.

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto and Buenos Aires... www.lingobongo.com

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johncoan · Joined: 02 Jul 2010 Posts: 115

I also think it's easier to find work in Madrid - I think it's been that way for several years. This is partly because Barcelona is a more popular destination for TEFL-ers, and there are more teacher-training institutions there.

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

Find it hard to believe Madrid is actually an easier place to find work. We'd really need someone who had tried recently in both places before anyone could say that.

In the end, your chances of finding a job will be dramatically increased not by location but by how good a candidate you look to prospective employees.

Believe me, I'm seeing ELT jobs in Barcelona and surrounds. (You'll also dramatically increase your chances of employment by NOT turning down work that is a long tube ride away.)

stevehamlyn87 · Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 27

Thanks for your replies. To SirKirby (used to love that game when I was a kid, don't know if your name is a reference or not) you couldn't possibly share the names of some of the places where you've seen jobs offered could you?

If say I fly out to Barca next week and hand out my CV to every school I can find (dressed appropriately and whatnot) and I perform well in the interviews, what are the chances of me being offered 20+ hrs in a decent language school (if I don't refuse places that are a little further away)? Taking into account my age, qualifications, experience, etc. would my chances be slim or relatively high? I am going to do this anyway but I just want to know whether I am likely to find a decent amount of hours or would it be more realistic to expect only a few hours here and there? Also it is very uncommon to find block teaching hours in Barca?

jonniboy · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 10:14 am Post subject:

stevehamlyn87 · Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 27

OK jonniboy, can I ask is that opinion based on your first hand experience of what you've seen in Barcelona/Madrid or just what you assume to be the case? Because I've been offered an interview with a school in Barca offering 30hrs, and 18hrs in a school in Madrid. Also why would other posters be saying things like:

'Right now there is a lot of work in Madrid: everyone I know has more classes than they need and some are even trying to offload hours.'

'Believe me, I'm seeing ELT jobs in Barcelona and surrounds.'

Also another poster on a different topic told me his DOS friend in Madrid was 'desperate' for decent teachers only last week. I'm not saying you are wrong but it seems some people are contradicting what you are saying. Or are you basically trying to say that work is available, but finding 20+ hrs at one school will be difficult? If what you say is true, do you think I would be able to build a full time schedule out of hours here and there at different schools and private classes (which I've also been offered) etc.? Thanks

jonniboy · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject:

It's based on what I've heard second hand from a couple of people I know who worked there. I think you should get a full schedule but it may be at more than one school.

By the way 30 hours at one school seems a lot, is that clock hours or academic hours? If you're only starting off (you say you've only 4 months experience) just be careful about taking on too much.

stevehamlyn87 · Joined: 08 Oct 2011 Posts: 27

Yeah the 30hrs would be teaching time. I'm probably not going to take the job (they require 10 days UNPAID training which takes the p*ss if you ask me) but it was just an example of one of the jobs I have seen available. I agree that 30hrs is probably a bit much to take on to start with - although I would rather take on too many hrs as opposed to too few.

So to reiterate do you think it's feasible to get myself 20hrs (or thereabouts) if I apply to lots of schools and accept that I may have to work part-time for more than one school and do some private classes? I have no problems working for multiple schools if it means I can get a full time schedule out of it.

jonniboy · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:24 pm Post subject:

pr455 · Joined: 08 May 2011 Posts: 135 Location: MADRID, SPAIN

I have to agree with jonniboy. Work is still out there and I can speak for Madrid and you will have to hit the pavement and send your CV to as many schools as possible to find work.

Give it a go and don't even pay attention to what anyone says. Find out things for yourself.

Suerte,

Shawn

SirKirby · Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 261 Location: Barcelona, Spain

I agree with jonniboy. For a teacher starting out, working in more than one place is the norm. If you've found 20 or more hours in one place in a nice neat timetable block, you've been very lucky, at ANY time of the year, but especially now.

If you've worked in a place for a year or so, you may be lucky, if you've done a good job and they like you: they may offer you more hours. But even then you may find yourself working in more than one physical location.

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Of course there is also the all-your-eggs-in-one-basket aspect to it too: you never know how business will go for your academy, or for the companies they are providing classes for.

Happened to me 4 years ago: had almost all my classes in a great company, 5 minutes from my house, block hours every day, lovely people.

Sadly, it was a cement company, and with the construction crash they suddenly cancelled all language classes.

Most people I know work for more than company, the extra paperwork can get a bit annoying, but you get to know more fellow teachers (and you get to go to multiple Christmas parties too!)

_________________________________________________________________________
...Jobs and language exchanges in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto and Buenos Aires... www.lingobongo.com

...send your c.v. around ALL the schools in Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Milan, Rome, Lisbon, Porto and Buenos Aires... www.lingobongo.com/cvsender/

pr455 · Joined: 08 May 2011 Posts: 135 Location: MADRID, SPAIN

Moore,

Good point about not putting all of your eggs in one basket. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago as well.

Now, I do teacher training in several places and it works out well for me. The only paperwork that I have to fill in is for the one academy where I work on Thursdays giving a one hour class. Apart from that, I am either working my 16 hours at a Catholic School, doing teacher training for a publishing company or the Department of Education of Madrid or teaching in a Master's program at a private university. I keep myself busy and it's mice to have checks coming in at different times.

Shawn