Job Discussion Forums

LAS1969 · Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 3

Hello, I work in a reputable private language school in Spain and have signed what I assume is a standard contract from mid September through to June.
However, due to one thing and another I have absolutely come to hate the school I'm teaching in and want to leave at the end of this term

I'm not normally a quitter but I'm really struggling to find the motivation to go to work everyday.

My question is this: how much notice do I have to give? I cannot find any mention of this on my contract and I am aware that as private teachers we come under one of the groups of convenios (sp) but am finding it difficult to find any information to assist me. Obviously I don't want to ask my employer. In hindsight I should have asked when I signed the contract but didn't think it would be an issue!

Any advice/knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I'd suggest offering to work up to the winter break, thus giving them until the new year to find a replacement. If you can take it another month or so!!

LAS1969 · Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks, that's basically what I was thinking of doing. I just need to make sure that it's ok to give one months notice as you would do in the UK.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I doubt they'll be happy but it's traditional that some teachers don't return from the winter holidays, with or without advance notice, so I expect they should be OK with it.

Hopefully, anyway!

do let us know how it goes

LAS1969 · Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks, I will certainly let you know Smile

jamesart9 · Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

Hi you are not alone, I am also not enjoying my job, I originally needed part time work as I have other means of income but at the last minute I found a full time job and thought it would be ok. This job feels like slavery for me.

So therefore, my job has taken away my other income for now
I am going to think about handing my notice in too and hopefully finding some private tuition.

I enjoy giving the lessons, I just don't like the setup of the school.
I am in a fairly populated part of Spain,
cannot say where due to obvious reasons.
Could anyone tell me if its unreasonable to expect to be able to bring in about 100 euros per week from private tuition if I market/advertise myself well? That is all I need at the moment as my other work brings in the rest.
Thanks!

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

Drop it like it's hot I say. When I worked on the language assistants' programme in bilingual primary schools for two years, apparently something like a quarter of the participants stopped showing up after Christmas. 2 out of the 5 auxiliares at my school did that during the year, but my school and some of the teachers working there were admittedly pretty bad and I can't say I wasn't tempted to join them at times. Anyway, I get the impression that in English teaching it's not an uncommon thing for people to just ditch their jobs here.

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

Well, I am going to put in my two cents here. Let's face it. English teaching is a joke in Spain, in general, especially when it comes to working for academies. Rolling Eyes

The salaries are low when compared to what we have to pay out in personal expenses. It doesn't matter if you live in a smaller town, you still have to work your ass off to be able to save anything.

I say quit the job and make yourself happy. No need to be frustrated in life because you are working a job that you can't stand.

Suerte,

Shawn

Mauricio Saenz · Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Posts: 9

Looking at all these comments on how teaching English in Spain tends not to be a great experience I thought you can give further suggestions or opinion on how this came to be. I'm planning to move to Spain in August and thought about teaching English as my way to get in as a temporary job.

However, as I've been reading comments from this forum and some other places, I'm giving it second thoughts as I really don't want to live a bad experience and regreting making this change in my life.

I hope you can give your perspectives on this as I really want to take a wise decision. Learning from someone else's experiences is a good way to prevent big mistakes.

Thanks in advance!!

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

Mauricio,

No one is saying the English teaching is bad in Spain, you just have to find a niche that works for you. Many people work for academies and give privates as well. You have to remember that everyone's experiences are different in life. There are some good academies out there. You just have to find them.

For example, now that I am working in a charter school and doing teacher training, my life is great. I only teach one class for an academy and it's based in Barcelona. He always pays on time and he is great with communication, answering emails and phone class.

It also depends on your legal situation as well. If you are not here with the proper working papers, you are at the mercy of academies who only hire people in an irregular situation. These are all things to think about.

Suerte,

Shawn