Teaching in Spain in 2014

[olihill]

Hi everyone,

I am going to be taking the CELTA at some point in early 2014 after I have graduated university and have raised enough money to take it. For me, teaching outside of Europe is not really an option at this stage of my life, and I would really love to work in Spain. I just wondered what advice anyone could give me on here for finding work in Spain. Would it be best for me to travel directly, to say Madrid ,and stay there for a few weeks to find work? Or should I try find jobs online?

Here is some information on myself:
- BA in Economics & Politics
- Currently studying an MA in Economics
- British Passport holder
- First language is English
- Intermediate level of Spanish
- Will be CELTA certified.

Any advice or tips anyone can give me would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks

[Alex Case]

Although I haven't taught there for years myself, several people have told me that the job market is much better than you'd think given the economic troubles - although I assume the already low pay and conditions are getting worse as they are in most industries there. It's best to plan to:
- Apply for jobs from the beginning of the summer (some schools recruit then for September/ October, and there are the rare summer jobs)
- If you can't find work in Spain in the summer, do what most people do and do a summer school in the UK to get experience, keeping an eye on jobs during that time
- Go to Spain between late August and the middle of September to also apply in person, including personally dropping CVs and asking to speak to anyone who's there at the time if you need to

It's also worth getting a qualification to show your Spanish level.

[olihill]

Although I haven't taught there for years myself, several people have told me that the job market is much better than you'd think given the economic troubles - although I assume the already low pay and conditions are getting worse as they are in most industries there. It's best to plan to:
- Apply for jobs from the beginning of the summer (some schools recruit then for September/ October, and there are the rare summer jobs)
- If you can't find work in Spain in the summer, do what most people do and do a summer school in the UK to get experience, keeping an eye on jobs during that time
- Go to Spain between late August and the middle of September to also apply in person, including personally dropping CVs and asking to speak to anyone who's there at the time if you need to

It's also worth getting a qualification to show your Spanish level.

Hi Alex,

Thank you very much for your response. I think what you have told me is pretty much what I was thinking but its nice to hear it from someone with experience. I'm taking a qualification at the moment at my uni but maybe I should consider a more formal qualification such as an A-level as I have looked at the papers/listened to audio and they're not especially difficult.

I know you said you haven't taught there for a while but would you say it would be best to avoid Barcelona as I have heard its swamped with tefl teachers? The catalan/castellan mix would probably just confuse me too. Madrid is the place to start really?