This blog is worth nothing if it doesn’t answer questions that are important to you.
Request a specific topic of interest to you or that you think helps address the issues others in your position may have. All are welcome. I will get to them and address each – as soon as possible.
Use the comments box below to get it started . . .
Hello,
I am a final year International Communications student with the intention of doing a 4 week CELTA or TRINITY course this summer so that i can tefl in Spain come September. I am bilingual (English being slightly stronger than my Spanish) and i am a Spanish national, although i have lived in England since the age of 5. I have been educated in England but maintained my Spanish by speaking it at home.
My main concern is that i will find it difficult to find a tefl job in Spain because i am technically not an English native. (Although my English is perfect both oral/written). Do you think this will be the case? Also, if i did my CELTA/Trinity course in july for example… would this give me enough time to find a tefl job in spain for September when school starts?
I would really appreciate all the advice you could offer me regarding tefl in Spain, including any recommendations of course providers, whether to do the tefl course in the UK or abroad, etc.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Alex,
There are at least two issues at play here. The native speaker issue will probably be okay, especially if you interview and job search in person rather than via email. That way people can hear your speech and draw their own conclusion. A problem with applying through email is that people will often assume that you are not fluent or that you don’t have a native accent. Something that is difficult to counter in an email that doesn’t get answered.
A bigger problem is the 20+ percent unemployment in Spain right now and I am guessing that means finding any kind of work will be difficult. And language schools are probably struggling just like everyone else. Personally, I would job search in a country with a better employment rate. Maybe go to Spain after their economy improves. Just my opinion!
Enjoy!
Ted