Experience or Certification

[latinpoet]

Hey everyone, I\'m new to the Expatriate Cafe and just signed up.  It has been my life long dream to visit Spain and I have finally made the choice to be adventurous and try my hand at living there.  I am interested in teaching English in Spain but after reading this website I\'m realizing that it might be more difficult than I expected.  I have a lot of questions that I hope can be answered on this forum but for now I have one.  



I have taught English to High School and Middle School students in New York and Long Island and I also have my Bachelors in Secondary Education and English.  I was wondering if I would still be required to take English Certification classes in order to teach English in Spain.  If it\'s suggested that I should, then I have no problem doing so, but if my chances at finding a job are still positive, then I wouldn\'t mind saving the money towards a plane ticket, [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif\"]  



I plan on going to Spain sometime around August of 2003, either with a job already or with the hope of finding one once I get there.  What should I be doing during this year in order to better prepare myself for my expatriate excursion.  I am fluent in both Spanish and English since I have a Hispanic upbringing and would not have any problems communicating once I\'m there.  I am also certified in the State of New York to teach English which I know is a big plus here, but does it hold any weight to an institution in Spain.  So many questions, lol.  I am mostly doing research at the moment but my decision is made and I hope that I can make this a reality.  I would appreciate any input from the members of this forum.  Thank you to all.



David [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif\"]  [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_superman.gif\"] [addsig]

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[PR4552]

David,



I am glad that you are doing research, for that is important.  You also need a plan, which it appears that you already have.



As far as taking a methodology course in teaching Engliah is concerned, it certainly wouldn\'t hurt.  Here are some links below:



VIA LINGUA



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.via-lingua.cz/\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.via-lingua.cz/[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



INTERNATIONAL HOUSE



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.ihworld.com/\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.ihworld.com/[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



BRITISH COUNCIL



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.britishcouncil.org/index-1.htm\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.britishcouncil.org/index-1.htm[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



There are more to choose from, but this should get you started.



Here are links for JOBS:



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.joyjobs.com\" target=\"_blank\"]www.joyjobs.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.tefl.com\" target=\"_blank\"]www.tefl.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.infojobs.net/home_ie.htm\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.infojobs.net/home_ie.htm[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



Here are links for WORK VISAS:



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.workpermit.com/spain/spain.htm\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.workpermit.com/spain/spain.htm[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.spainemb.org/ingles/consulate/Employee.htm\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.spainemb.org/ingles/consulate/Employee.htm[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.goinglobal.com/countries/spain/permits.asp\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.goinglobal.com/countries/spain/permits.asp[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



[!-- BBCode auto-link start --][a href=\"http://www.go-spain.com/government/visa1.htm\" target=\"_blank\"]http://www.go-spain.com/government/visa1.htm[/a][!-- BBCode auto-link end --]



This decision is not to be taken lightly and plaease look at all options.  This should answer the majority of your questions.



Another thing to do is to have a thick 3-ring binder labelled SPAIN.  It should have the following sections:



1. Information on the work visa

2. The ESL climate for Spain

3. Work abroad articles from monster.com

4. Paperwork needed for the work visa

5. A small list of English schools in Madrid

6. A CV example for Spain

7. Landing an EFL job abroad



Add another binder cover and place as a heading.



First month transition:



a. Pensions/Hotels/Apartments.

b. Transportation system/bus/Metro/Cercanias.

c. Business Centers.

d. Contingency plans.



This will help you to organize and get focused and stay on track.  Never give up on your dream:



Dream Deferred



What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?



-- Langston Hughes



If you have any further questions, please ask.  I\'m quite sure that Tracey will come through and offer more advice.  She is the expert on these things.



Have a great day,



Shawn

[addsig]

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[Tracy]

uhhh...I\'m actually speechless. I think Shawn said it all...and then some!

That binder idea rocks. I had the same set up when I was just starting out and I\'d recommend that way of organizing to anyone.



Thing is, don\'t get SO involved in the planning to the point of putting off the actual DOING. I made that mistake for many years.



 [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif\"] [addsig]

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[latinpoet]

WOWWWWWW



THANKS FOR THE INFO RED!!! You just saved me months of trying to figure out what to do.  Thats exactly what i need to get on track,  you guys are great, the show of support from this server is incredible.  It just makes more motivated to do it.  Ill get on that and post anymore questions if they come up,  ONCE AGAIN THANKS GUYS [IMG SRC=\"modules/phpBB_14/images/smiles/icon_love.gif\"] [addsig]

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[mlwalton]

hey David,



there is also another school that you could attend to get TEFL certified:



[!-- BBCode Start --][A HREF=\"http://www.itc-training.com\" TARGET=\"_blank\"]ITC Language School[/A][!-- BBCode End --]

they have locations in Madrid , Barcelona, and Prague....which is where I got certified.  It was a good experience.  You meet a lot of great people and the staff at ITC are very helpful and attentive.  Also they have lifetime job assistance.  I\'m moving to Spain myself in the fall 2003.  I\'m heading towards Barcelona.  You can email me if you want.



Adios,

Michelle[addsig]

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[cadykat]

Hey Michelle,

i was looking into taking that class this summer and I was wondering if you can give me some advice and tell me what you thought about it. You can email me at [!-- BBcode auto-mailto start --][a href=\"mailto:cadykat@hotmail.com\"]cadykat@hotmail.com[/a][!-- BBCode auto-mailto end --]

I\'m wondering about how to make it as cheap as possible and if its really worth getting it or just going over there and trying to get experience. I lived in Valencia for 6 months this last year and now im just trying to finish up my degree and get to Spain as soon as I can. How are you going about getting a job? Do you know if its difficult to get a specific location, because I\'m interested in returning to Valencia to work? (AMUNT VALENCIA!!!!)hehe I love thier futbol team!! well hope to hear from you soon

Thanks,

katy [addsig]

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