Job Discussion Forums

hHold · Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 17

Hi,

I am thinking of moving to Madrid in September. Do teachers still get much work despite the crisis? I am not expecting to get a high wage but I would like to be kept busy. Are there any particular schools you recommend for Business English teachers?

Ta

Grimace420 · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 88 Location: Madriz

There's loads of work in Madrid in September. Don't worry, there's no chance of you being unemployed (barring an economic meltdown between now and then). In fact, I would say if anything the crisis has made many Spaniards even more determined to learn English and break their cycle of language mediocrity.

Can't recommend you anything, though. I'm just speaking from my impressions as someone who occasionally browses the options available for work at language schools or hears of offers, but never takes them.

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

I agree with Grimace: surprisingly there is loads of work for teachers here in Madrid. There is definitely a feeling here among Spaniards that actually having a good level of English (rather than just claiming to on their CVs) is vital for getting a job, for both themselves and their children.

Another factor may be that expats here have niche jobs that were never really that easy for a Spaniard to get: teaching English (as a native speaker), translating, working in Irish bars, running small expat-oriented businesses, etc. They may not be the most well-paid jobs in Spain, but they are fairly recession-proof.

And then there is the fact that Madrid in itself is not doing that badly: lots of company headquarters are here and tourism is going strong. Overall in Spain things are pretty grim, but during the daytime the streets are still full of late-model cars and if you go out on a weekend here, the bars are full of locals drinking like it's going out of fashion.

Working as a teacher in Madrid does not pay a fortune, but the wages are definitely live-able if you can find a way to survive over the summer dry-period and it definitely beats being on the dole or flipping burgers at home.

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

I agree with what's been said (also for Barcelona) but don't think it's quite as simple as that.

You will find that work is available, but will only find that it is easy to get if you are on the spot (ie in the city) at the right time (ideally mid September), have a good CV, a proper qualification, some relevant experience, interview well, look like you will make a good teacher, sound as if you will, and are prepared to travel if necessary and work in conditions that are not ideal.

If you look like a backpacker, sorry, but it's not that easy.

jovencito · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 46

Ditto Grimace and Moore for Madrid, English is becoming very important. I don't know about Barcelona as I've never taught there.

Binary_Star · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 22

Can anyone give me an idea of roughly how many hours of work needed to survive in Madrid?

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

Binary_Star · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 22

Well, I don't really know what the rents are like there. But I'm happy to live with others. Preferably just one other but more if i need to. When you say Summer, you mean June and July and August?

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

Binary_Star · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 22

So with just 20 hours a week, what can one earn and what kind of life can one have, living in a modest but not bargain place and bearing in mind the saving for the Summer months too? I don't need luxury or to live on my own but it would be nice to do things sometimes. I thought that travelling around a lot to classes was common in many cities when it comes to teaching. Or is is more prevalent in Madrid? Or is just bigger distances in Madrid?

MoonMonkey · Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 33

So at the moment, on average, it's around 20 hours a week at 15 Euro's per hour, give or take some.

That's around 300 Euro's a week, minus taxes. (let's say 1200 Euro's a month)

Then living expenses and travel costs. (Say 400 rent / 200 food / 100 bills & travel costs)

From a rough calculation you might have 100 - 150 spare a week (or 400 - 600 Euro's spare a month).

It that a fair assessment of the current average salary and expenses in Madrid at the moment?

Thanks

Binary_Star · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 22

Is this based on knowledge or pure guesswork?

Grimace420 · Joined: 24 Sep 2011 Posts: 88 Location: Madriz

The expenses sound about right for a single person with a very basic lifestyle living in Madrid in a flatshare. 20 hours a week would feel like full time if you've got a horrendous timetable with lots of moving around and are exploited to the maximum. 25 or maybe a couple more would be possible with a better schedule. I'd be looking to earn 1,500 euros or more a month, but I have no idea what academies pay. They all just say "Competitive salaries. To be discussed at interview" in their ads.

Take into account that you generally won't be paid for July or August. September will probably get you partial monthly earnings, so watch out for that if you want to stay in Spain for more than a year.

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

Binary_Star · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 22

Does anyone know if the situation is similar in Barcelona? Barcelona appeals also. However, I did want to pick up Spanish and i hear htta they mainly speak Catalan in Barcelona. Is that true?