TEFL PROFILE
Justin Metz
Age: 25
Originally from: Palm Springs, California, USA
Current location: Madrid, Spain
How long have you been in Spain? I have been in Spain for nearly five years.
What were your motivations for teaching English? Teaching English seemed to be the best, if not the only, option for my relocation to Spain.
Did you receive TEFL certification before you began and where? Yes I did. I chose to do my certification at Canterbury English Academy in Madrid center.
Can you describe your experiences teaching English in Madrid? Well, for the most part I have to describe them as positive. The teaching life is hectic and fast but it can be very rewarding in many ways. It opens doors to higher positions in the same field or even others.
What do you like about the city you have chosen? I love many things but I suppose the generic answer, culture, would safely cover all of them. The food is good. The nightlife is good. The people are nice and the country is beautiful. You really couldn’t ask for much more.
What do you hate about your city? Well, like just about anything, it gets old. Any city you chose will lose its initial attraction. You just need to do your research and pick one you are sure about. I did that with Madrid and as a result have nothing to really complain about.
Do you have any advice for aspiring teachers and adventure seekers who are thinking about Spain as an option? The thing that Spain possesses that many other countries do not is a real need for English teachers. The English literacy level in Spain is very low when compared to the rest of Europe. I have never met a teacher that couldn’t find work somewhere in Spain. The TEFL certificate is becoming a must for anyone looking to find work teaching through the academies in the major cities. Many of the better academies also offer the TEFL course to wannabe teachers which basically guarantees them work after graduation.
Do you have any suggestions for newcomers to Madrid who are looking to have a good time? If nightlife is your thing, Malasaña is one of the most happening neighborhoods in Madrid. It caters to just about any taste and clubs are open late. Beyond that, Madrid is a city with loads of history, art, and culture. There are teachers here of all ages but none of them ever really get bored.
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Profile by Daniel Murphy for MAP Languages.com: Learn Spanish, Teach English & More.
