You might be wondering if it is still a good idea to teach English in Spain. That’s understandable.
There may be a little feeling of uncertainty since the recent Catalan Referendum for Independence held last October 1, 2017, which the central government in Madrid has denounced. Since then, the Spanish and Catalan governments are gripped in a deadlock and a pending coup d'état.
Learning a new language while abroad
While you pursue your TEFL career in the foreign shores, it's but only natural to want to learn the native language where you're staying at. In fact many people move to a foreign country to learn a new language, such as spanish, and imbibe the culture of the country. As you may know, the easiest and fastest way to learn a language is speaking it on a daily basis and being there amongst the local people, immersing yourself in their culture.
If you've always harboured a desire to move to Asia, or couldn't get a ticket to Madrid for your TEFL job, well it could actually turn out to be a masterstroke of luck. Asia is one of the fastest growing regions and TEFL teachers are in huge demand out here since nobody actually speaks English fluently. It's also got a very unique culture where you can relish new experiences, learn a language and customs that are completely alien, and more importantly earn quite a lucrative salary in comparison to other regions.
Decoding The Terms associated with TEFL
If you've ever been vaguely interested in teaching English abroad, you're likely to have encountered TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, TESL, and probably some hundred other acronyms, abbreviations and terms in your search. Even to a professional teacher working in the field, a lot of these terms might be confusing and for a rookie, downright intimidating. So in this post, we will try to decipher the various terms and try to understand where and why they're used and what exactly do they mean.
You've passed your TEFL course with flying colors, got a job at a reputable institute and are well on your way to a great career. So with all dreams and unbridled joy swirling within, you enter the classroom on your first day to find some 50 students staring at you and waiting for your every move.
Bam!
While people are always on the prowl to get their questions about TEFL answered, which range from the curriculum, schedule to accreditation and style of teaching, most of the time their questions boil down to one thing - what kind of job they'll get after finishing their course. The problem though is that there's a lot of noise surrounding TEFL courses, with your friends, acquaintances, alumni and innumerable forums propagating their opinions.
Some cool Museums you need to visit while in Madrid.
Madrid is home to lots of different museums (too many to mention them all) , so I have put together a guide of our top 10 must visit Museums.
Palacio Real de Madrid
How to obtain your NIE (Foreign National ID Number) in Spain
When you choose to become a TEFL teacher, your students wouldn't just be a group of teenagers preparing for their college or adults improving their language skills in search of better jobs, but at times could include young kids right out of their diapers and precocious turnips hiding chalk and making rockets out of paper.
You've moved to a great place and got a dream job as a TEFL teacher, yet you feel lonely and just don't fit in. Well you're not alone. Almost everybody who moves to a foreign country soon finds out living away from your home amidst a community where you're a stranger and barely speak the language is a very lonely road. You may struggle to fit in with the local people or find it difficult to understand an alien culture.
Everyone knows that TEFL simmers with testing, which shouldn't be much of a surprise given the high standards of the course and the need for all round skill development of students. However, with so many information on different tests flying around, it can be quite difficult to understand what's what and key differences between them. In fact you may even know about certain tests without being aware of their label or what purpose they serve. So to start off with, let's take a look at different tests that are relevant to a class of foreign learners.
The Three "P"'s
You apply for a TEFL job. The TEFL job requires you to have teaching experience. You can't get experience without getting the job. If there ever was a catch-22, this is it and it aptly describes the conundrum most TEFL graduates face as soon as they finish their course.
TEFL in Spain info!
The key to getting an English teaching job is turnover and knowing the hiring seasons.
Off season Hiring: Jobs do open during the off season as not all schools fill every job and employees do not always stay for their full term. Follow our professional advice regarding hiring seasons and the interview process and you will find opportunities.
Many jobs entail 10 to 12 month contracts. September, October are busy hiring periods with many contracts ending in July. January is a secondary season. Main period will be about 50-60% turnover. Secondary season about 25%.
Summer camps in Europe offer great opportunities for those looking for shorter commitments.
