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Teaching English in Spain- FAQs
What do I do when a huge, snorting bull is coming my way?
Pass your sangria to a friend, lob your tapa as a distraction and run like Bekham! Will I get to practice Spanish or will everyone want to speak English with me?
All depends on where you live. In Barcelona, they prefer you speak Catalonian. Same with
the Basques and speaking their language. Ditto with the Galicians and Gallego. Other than
that, locals are happy to speak with you in Spanish, although you may have friends that
enjoy the opportunity to use their English skills. Most Spaniards would rather you get
your message across in Spanish than persist that your native jabber take precedent —
particularly if some of the slang is difficult or you’re slurring your words due to
one too many glasses of wine. What if I don’t really like the heat?
Live in the north, visit the south in January. Carry an umbrella (for the sun)
and fill your shorts with ice. Do I have to know how to dance to live in Spain?
Not at all. Although dancing is something loved by the Spanish and done in the
streets and bars, they’re quite used to seeing strange foreigners making idiots
of themselves. I’m American, will I seriously be able to find a job when I arrive or am I wasting the airfare?
Without advocating illegal employment, North Americans can remain in Spain for 3
months without a visa. Currently there is a shortage of English teachers in Spain
and if you are a native speaker and in Spain between October and April, it is more
than likely you can find teaching work. Convincing someone to hire you is not impossible
and easier to do if you have some kind of teaching qualification or experience and look
professional. Many schools, though abiding by the law, realize there is a market for
American English and wish to offer it alongside the British variation. Work can then
be available for professional candidates. I’ve heard many schools that don’t give you a contract but ask you to invoice them. What’s up with that?
This is a trend that started in Spain a few years back. Many English institutes realized
they could make more money by “out-sourcing” teachers and playing the middle man between
the client and the teacher. Such companies hire “autonoma” (self-employed) teachers to
teach their clients. With no contract needed, they save money on social security and taxation.
Teachers also win as the money saved reflects in the teacher’s wage. Instead of a teacher
signing a contract and taking home €12/ hour after deductions, the teacher provides the
company with a month-end invoice with a wage of anywhere to €15 - €24/ hour and he / she
pays their own deductions (around €200 a month). Experienced teachers find they can earn up
to €2,000 a month (100 hours at €20/ hour), and deduct only €200 of that from their wage.
To do this a teacher must be legally able to work, register at a local hacienda and pay the
monthly fee every month – including in the summer when taking holidays. I’m not that big on the dance and party scene, how cultural is Spain?
Architecture by Gaudi, paintings by Salvador Dali and Picasso, music and dance of the gypsies
(flamenco), need we say more? They’ve got a royal family, constant exhibitions and concerts,
great films and actors (Almodovar is in the Oscar club), and loads of different cultures
(The Basques, Catalonians, Galicians, Andalusians) besides Spanish. Shopping for clothes
or ceramics is entertaining and Gothic cathedrals abound beside huge bullrings in every
city. Hike the Santiago de Camino, ski the Navarra mountains, drive around the Picas de
Europa. If that’s not enough go ski-diving, sign up at that famous bull-fighting school
in Seville or lose yourself in Ibiza decadence. What about terrorism? I’ve heard of car bombs in Madrid?
There are independent movements in Spain from some existing provinces. The most
well-publized is the Basque fight for independence, an area in the Northeastern
section of Spain, bordering France. Heavily oppressed by Franco in the early part
of the century, the movement began in the 50’s and a militant wing (ETA) formed in
the 1960’s. Since then, the Spanish government has been in and out of talks with
the group’s demand for an independent homeland. At times when negotiations were
going badly over the past 40 years, ETA pressured the government with acts of
violence like car bombs in the capital. However, unlike attacks in the Middle
East, ETA targets Spanish diplomats, journalists and citizens and not foreigners,
knowing it would actually undermine their cause on the world stage. Very few,
if any, foreigners have been targeted and killed by ETA. |
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