FAQs

A.  Despite months of searching various programs on the Internet, I ended up finding my job opportunity in my inbox.  Two months before I graduated I received a mass email announcement from my university's department of foreign languages.  Because I only minored in Spanish, I would typically ignore the emails as most of the information pertained to students who made foreign languages their primary studies.  But this time I decided to read through the email.  At the end of the email there was a brief, barely-noticable paragraph stating:

English Teaching Opportunities:  Are you a graduating Spanish major interested in teaching English in Spain for a year?  The Universidad de Valladolid and Universidad de Murcia off positions of "lector" (teaching assistant).  If you are interested please submit the following documents...

That was it.  I only had a week to turn everything in, so I scrambled around and did it.  Luckily the paragraph was so conspicuous that only one other person applied as well.  It took six months to finally get the contacts I needed at Murcia, work out the paperwork, and plan the trip.  But eventually the other applicant made it to Valladolid, and I made it to Murcia.

So my answer in short: I searched and really kept my eyes open for opportunities.

A.  Search, email some people, search, email some people, and then search again.  On the Internet, I searched for so many possible opportunities. (I was so desperate that I was emailing random bloggers in Spain, so don't be afraid to email me to ask questions.  I understand.)

For finding an English teaching job, it's much easier.  To be honest, it was hard to find anything that didn't require paying a program thousands of dollars for training before teaching somewhere in Spain.  But there are other options out there.

If you're stuck, try looking at the following websites for teaching English in Spain:

• http://www.ciee.org/teach/spain/ - English language site. Recommended for Americans, since there's a lot of assistance with visas.  You don't need any experience in Spain or language skills.  For most programs, however, you have to pay a hefty fee.  But you come out with a TEFL certification.

• http://www.educacion.gob.es/eeuu - Spanish language site.  For Americans with advanced Spanish.  This is a program sponsored by the Spanish government.  Participants are paid through a grant and placed in public schools around the country.

• http://www.iie.org/fulbright - English language site.  For Americans to teach anywhere in the world, including Spain.  For students, non-students, and teachers.

• There are many Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI) in Spain.  (This may be good for EU citizens.)  If your Spanish is advanced, you may be able to contact the EOI in the area to which you're wanting to move to see if they're hiring.  However, they may not sponsor you for a visa in advanced, which would not be an issue for EU citizens.

If you are not looking for a teaching job and/or if you are not an American citizen, look at the following sites:

• http://www.eurojobs.com/- English language site for EU-citcizens
• www.trabajo.org- Spanish language site for various jobs
• www.recruitspain.com - English language site for jobs for English speakers
• http://www.infojobs.net/- Spanish language site for various jobs

If you know of any other sites or ways to find employment in Spain, please feel free to share by leaving a comment on this page, and I'll add it to the list.

Also, if you are an English speaker and move to Spain, you may be able to find multiple tutoring jobs as many people want to learn Spanish (especially in less-touristy areas).  From my own experience, these opportunities are usually found by posting posters or by word of mouth.



More FAQs and answers to come.


**Please note: I'm certainly no expert or professional adviser.  This is all just advice I'm offering from personal experience.  (I'm realize I'm totally American adding this disclaimer.)