I've taught English in Ecuador, Brazil, Thailand, and Australia, but in my opinion the best place is Spain.
Here are some of the reasons why I've been living in Seville, south Spain, teaching English for the last 6 years.
Spain might be in a crisis, but the TEFL industry is booming. Spanish people NEED to learn English to help them in the job market, parents are prepared to pay extra for their kids to have a good level of English because they need a high level to get into the best universities. What does that mean for you? That there are lots of jobs.
The weather is gorgeous; blue skies for over 300 days a year.
The food is amazing. Seville is rammed with tapas bars and quality places to go out and eat. You can have three tapas and a couple of beers or glasses of wine for under €10.
The students are great. I teach 7 to 18 year olds during the afternoon and adults in the mornings. Fair enough, you do have the odd grumpy kid and dull adult, but in general the students are keen to learn English.
The life style is comfortable. For about 24 teaching contact hours you can earn between €1000 and €1200 and live well. Rent can be anything from €200 for a shared flat to €600 for your own pad. You can eat out one or twice a week, travel a couple of weekends a month and still save money. I do extra business classes to boost my wages.
The people are friendly. I've just got married to a Spanish lady, who used to be my student I might add, so I am biased. You do get a few odd balls, but in general they'll treat you well.
There's an interesting culture. Flamenco, bullfighting, a long history, and many museums and churches will keep you busy in your free time (which you do get a lot off while living in Spain). There's a relaxed way of life and I wouldn't change it for anything.
So what are you waiting for? Get TEFLing in Spain.
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I love Spain.I used to live there and want to come back and as the job situation is pretty bad i have decided to give teaching a go. I was thinking of a smaller city like Seville or Valencia and I think after reading your post i am sold on Seville
I love Spain.I used to live there and want to come back and as the job situation is pretty bad i have decided to give teaching a go. I was thinking of a smaller city like Seville or Valencia and I think after reading your post i am sold on Seville
Hi Everyone, just wanted to say thanks for voting for me. If you wanna vote you still can, just type in "I vote this one". Some people have left a message saying they liked my article but didn´t write that so it won´t count. Anyways, glad I could be of some help. Spain is class, any q´s then drop me a line. Oh, by the way "I VOTE THIS ONE" (Before you think I´m a nutter we´re allowed to vote for our own apparently)
i vote this one!
I vote this one!
I vote this one!!
This ones for JMP_Meade, thanks for the post mate. Most schools in Spain ask for a degree, but there are a few people I know working without one, but they've got a lot of experience. It's a tricky one, but if you haven't got a degree then I'd defin do a CELTA. Depends what you're after though, you mentioned winging it, a useful term in the TEFL world, if you're able just to come over here and find a job with an average language school to get some experience then you could try it, but you'd have a much better chance with a CELTA. Hope this helps, happy winging mate.
Thanks Chloe by the way.
I VOTE THIS ONE because I live in spain and LOVE IT :)))
Hi, I've just completed my 140 hour TEFL course but have absolutely no teaching experience. I do have a degree though and I'm wondering what advice you could give someone as a first time teacher. Would it be worth my while doing the CELTA course where there is I believe an emphasis on teaching? Or would it be best just to wing it. Cheers and congrats on what sounds like a great life there.
Hi Amy, thanks for the comment. Yeah Spain is a great country to live and work in! To be honest I reckon you need to be here to get a job. You could try to get in contact with a few schools before you come over, but you can't beat being in the country to actually get a job. Before I came here I did have an interview with a language academy in London. I didn't get the job, but it is possible. I know people who have got work over the summer while not being in Spain, but to get a 9 month contract (term starts in September), you have to be here. It's better for you anyway; have a look at this blog which will give you some more help http://teachingenglishinaforeignland.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-about-whether-we-are-teaching.html
Don't forget to vote for me by the way, just write 'I vote for this one' in the comments. Thanks. Anything else I can help with drop me a line. Suerte.
Wow, now I really know I want to go to Spain. Was just wondering though, is it common to be able to get a job secured before I go over there?? I wont be leaving until after I finish my degree in English in May of next year, but I would like to get a job before i go over.
Ola ,Good morning from Ireland, Bazteach, thanks for the lovelye comment, getting all greared up to start. Have a good day, Im jealous I love Spain, and the Canaries wher I have lived a number of years ago, AAAAhhhhhh. reat memories . Tina
Thanks to everyone who has voted so far. In answer to Tina, yeah I am fully qualified, did a CELTA back in 2003, been teaching since. Good luck in your course.
Awesome Spain..."The weather is gorgeous; blue skies for over 300 days a year. The food is amazing. Seville is rammed with tapas bars and quality places to go out and eat. You can have three tapas and a couple of beers or glasses of wine for under €10." Yup, Spain takes the number one spot for sure...Cheers
I vote this one!!!!
I Vote this one !!
sounds just ideal, and defo what I want when I have done my course, do you have a normal teaching degree or purely tefl qualified ??? anyhow be happy and if you like keep in touch Tina
I vote this one
Hiya, thanks for the comment. You normally need the full course to teach in Spain and sometimes you need a degree, although I know people who have found jobs without. I got my job on my own, I just chose Seville and came over, I had to put up with working for a rubbish academy for a year, but now I'm working for a good one. Hope that helps, can you vote for me by the way, just leave a comment saying 'I VOTE THIS ONE', Cheers.
Hey, so i would love to teach in Spain after i finnish my course but I was just wondering firstly, what course level do you need to teach in Spain as I am doing the 120hours and 20hours in the classroom and secondly, did you use the contacts for spain off i-to-i?
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