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Teaching English in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain

Report submitted on 3 Feb, 2016 by Eoghan Mc Monagle.

Teaching English in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain:

How can teachers find teaching jobs in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
Internet.

The main English teaching jobs available are:
Full time English language school positions, part time English language school positions, agencies (send teachers to different locations), teaching at companies, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.).

What are the minimum teaching requirements?
Native speakers are preferred. Normally a C1 to work in private language centres and bilingual secondary schools. B2 for all primary schools.

What teaching requirements would you recommend?
A TEFL/TESOL/CELTA qualification and experience in teaching children.

What are the levels of payment?
It depends on the city and type of employment. 1 to 1 classes can range from €8 (approx. US$9) per hour in small towns to €20-25 (approx. US$22 – US$28) per hour in bigger cities. A full time schedule (24 hours contact times) is usually €1100 (US$1235) per month gross.

How many teaching days a week is normal?
5 days per week.

How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
24 hours per week.

What is the normal arrangement for holidays?
School holidays.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Alcázar de San Juan, Spain to teach English?
Go for it! When applying for jobs, read the requirements carefully and adapt your cover letter/CV to the job you are applying for.
If you want to also learn the language, then live with other people from the area/country.
Be aware that a lot of people will try to be your friend to get “free” English language exchanges.
Try and immerse yourself in the lifestyle there and avoid going home too often. It takes away from the experience. Make the most of your time and travel around the country. It is very easy to travel in Spain and your salary will allow you to do it.

What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
The people are friendly and welcoming. EVERYONE wants to speak in English and they are aware that Spain has a low level of English. They generally respond well to conversation based classes meaning it is easier for native teachers. Grammar is taught well in school so conversation and pronunciation is the very important to them. They have very inquisitive minds and respond well to foreign teachers

What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
The Spanish have extreme difficulty in certain pronunciation aspects. This is due to the fact that a lot of the sounds simply don’t exist in their language and also they have been taught incorrectly in the past. Most people think for example that the “l” in “walk”, “talk”, “should”, “could” is pronounced because of the way they were taught in the past.

What are some of the teaching challenges for English teachers teaching the local people in your area?
The children and adults expect you to speak Spanish and the parents of the children will always try to speak to you in Spanish personally… this is especially true in small towns where the parents are more friendly and like to get to know you more.
As an employer it is difficult to find native English speakers.

Living in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain:

Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Spain?
You have to be an EU citizen or have permission to work in the EU.

What is the cost of living like in Spain?
If you flat-share you can expect to pay €300 to €400 (approx. US$337 – US$450) in Madrid and Barcelona. In other smaller towns €100-150 (approx. US$112 – US$168). To live on your own €300-500 (approx. US$337 – US$561). Daily necessities are a lot cheaper than English-speaking countries.

What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
I found it myself on the internet. I started sharing a house with a family and then rented a flat on my own and then bought my own house.

Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
The lifestyle is amazing, relaxed and people are very welcoming.

Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
The bureaucracy is unreal. Getting registered to be able to work is daunting. You have to get a NIE (you have to do this), social security number (which your employer should do), open a bank account (not that easy). People tend to prefer going out to crowded bars to meet up rather than meeting at someone’s home for a quiet dinner and drinks.

What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Alcázar de San Juan, Spain?
Book an appointment in advance to get your NIE, don’t come out a week before your job starts, it is too much stress and your first week working will be awful. Try and book appointments to view flats/houses, etc., before you get here. Ask your employer if they can help looking for accommodation.

What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Nothing.

What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Spain?
I won’t leave. I have my business set up here.

What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Tea, if you’re English. To be honest, I adapted really well here and didn’t miss anything or need anything.

About Me and My Work:

My Name: Eoghan Mc Monagle

Nationality: Irish

Students I’ve taught in Spain: Toddlers (2-4 years), pre-school / kindergarten (4-6 years), elementary (6-12 years), junior high school (12-15 years), high school (15-18 years), university, adults.

Where I teach: hi! language studio, Alcázar de San Juan. 5 years.

My school facilities: Excellent.

Do you teach English in Spain?

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