Teaching English in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Report submitted on 16 November, 2015 by Nikki.
Teaching English in Palma de Mallorca, Spain:
How can teachers find teaching jobs in Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
Through the internet mainly although word of mouth is the best way.
The main English teaching jobs available are:
Part time English language school positions, teaching at kindergartens / pre-schools, teaching at state schools, teaching at private international schools, private teaching (not through a school, agency, etc.)
What are the minimum teaching requirements?
You can be a volunteer native language teacher without any qualifications although this only entails helping the teachers in the class.
For language schools or private schools you need the CELTA certificate or similar.
What teaching requirements would you recommend?
People here are looking mainly for native speakers. Experience teaching is valued but it doesn’t necessarily have to have been English teaching. CELTA certificates are the most valued.
What are the levels of payment?
That depends on the school or type of lesson and can vary from 10 to 25 euros an hour.
How many teaching days a week is normal?
2 days per week
How many face-to-face teaching hours a week is normal?
4 hours per week.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Palma de Mallorca, Spain to teach English?
The Spanish teaching system doesn’t allow non-Spanish citizens to teach full time so your only options are private schools, language schools or private teaching. To seriously consider coming here especially to earn a good living teaching English would be unwise but if you want sun, sea and a bit of fun come along.
What are the positive aspects of teaching English in Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
The English levels in schools here is very poor so it is very positive to see how your students finally “get it!” and suddenly start making progress. Here everything is taught from the book so the ESL approach is greatly appreciated by bored students and it is gratifying to see how their faces light up with the games and fun ways of learning.
What are the negative aspects for teaching English in Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
Definitely the wages and in some cases the negativity of the school teachers to change their way of teaching.
Living in Palma de Mallorca, Spain:
Are there any visa or other legal requirements to live in Spain?
As far as I know, most English speaking nationalities can teach here with no visa as long as they are given a legal contract.
What is the cost of living like in Spain?
Mallorca is a tourist island therefore it can be quite expensive to find decent accommodation, sharing could be a good option. Food and essentials are reasonable compared with wages and going out isn’t too expensive as long as you stay away from the tourist areas.
What are the usual accommodation arrangements and how can you find accommodation?
Being a tourist island accommodation is easy too find, the main problem is that part time rents can be up to 60% more expensive than long term.
Other than teaching, what positive aspects are there for living in Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
The weather, the culture and above all it’s a very safe place to live. For the moment anyway!
Other than teaching, what negative aspects are there for living in Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
I can’t think of any.
What advice would you give to someone considering coming to Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
Bring plenty of sunscreen.
What things do you miss most (other than family and friends) from your home country?
Green countryside.
What do you think you will miss most when (or if) you leave Palma de Mallorca, Spain?
The freedom of being able to walk anywhere at any time without fear.
What things would you recommend to new teachers in your area to bring with them from their home country?
Mallorca is International. You can get anything here.
About Me and My Work:
My Name: Nikki
Nationality: British
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: CEIP El Terreno, Palma de Mallorca Spain. Working here for 4 years.
How I found my current teaching job(s): It is my son’s school. They asked me.
My school facilities: Adequate – We have access to normal resources, i.e. paper, pencils, crayons etc. Technology is dodgy to say the least. Internet when it feels like it. Computers work when they feel like it. Projector rarely works even when it feels like it. We do it old school. Most of the resources I bring from home.
Teacher support at my school: Training / workshops.
Do you teach English in Spain?
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