With a network of contacts worldwide TEFL
International is able to find graduates teaching
positions in almost all major (as well as quite a
few minor) cities around the world. For more obscure
teaching destinations, where demand for teachers is
low, or jobs are infrequently advertised TEFL
International will contact organisations in those
areas. Obviously the more obscure the location, the
longer the wait to find work is likely to be.
Most of our graduates have received quite a number
of interviews and job offers by the time the course
ends. Whilst we will be here to assist in the
job search throughout your careers, the aim is to
ultimately give you the knowledge and skills to make
you independent in seeking teaching positions.
During the course trainees will be given
assistance and help in the following areas:
- Resume/CV preparation
- Information on likely sources of EFL vacancies
- Job guidance counselling
- Job search and application
- Interview preparation
Please refer to the TEFL International website for
full details of our Job Placement Service at www.teflcorp.com
The job market in Spain is similar to its Western
European counterparts. Most institutions require
teachers to have a TEFL/TESOL certificate as a
minimum qualification. Opportunities exist in the
business sector and also in the rapidly growing
market for teaching English to Younger
Learners. Spain has always been one of the busiest
TEFL markets in Europe, in Barcelona the demand for
English intensified with the 1992 Barcelona
Olympics. And it has hardly slowed since.
Teaching ESL/EFL in Spain can take teachers a while
to adjust to: long hours and split shifts are the
norm. But in general, the culture, the people, the
nightlife and all the other positives of living and
working in Spain far outweigh the negatives.
European regulations mean that non-EU citizens
require a work visa to legally gain employment in
Spain. Work permit applications must be accompanied by
a written offer of employment from a Spanish employer,
and can take months to obtain. In reality, thousands
of Americans are teaching throughout Western Europe
despite the regulations, however, most are working
"under the table" as work visas are
generally not issued to non EU citizens. If you are
determined to work in Spain and have the means to
support yourself for a couple of months, you will
generally secure employment.
EU citizens are legally entitled to work in Spain
and do not need a work permit. They do, however,
require a Residence permit which is easy to obtain
with a copy of their contract of employment.
When you find work you will probably be offered a
contract of 15-20 hours of contact teaching hours
per week. It is important to factor in the actual
number of hours you will need to work to achieve
this – lesson planning, marking and travelling
time etc. Contracts offered tend to be 6-9 months in
duration. In Spain you are not legally entitled to
paid holiday until you have worked continuously for
twelve months, hence the frequency of nine month
contracts.
Many teachers work for more than one school and/or
build up their own portfolio of private clients.
Working full-time, you will earn
approximately 1000 euros per month. You can expect
salaries to increase with experience. A room in a
shared flat will cost about 300 Euros per month in
Barcelona. You can live comfortably but not
extravagantly on
this.
Teaching
English Abroad, Susan Griffith
Vacation Work Publications 2003
Living and working in Spain, David Hampshire
Survival Books 2003
Teaching English in Spain, Jenny Johnson
In Print Publishing 1998
