I am thinking of moving to Madrid as I have just realised I am working only to play for flights. Although I am a qualified teacher in the UK (BA, PGCE) I don't have any experience of TEFL. Also, I'm 38. Is this too old? And would I be able to earn enough to live? Any tips of the benefits and drawbacks of attempting this would be greatly appreciated. Half of me thinks, go for it and the other half has visions of a lonely existence! Oh dear, this is beginning to sound like a mid life crisis....Karenanne
kah
Posts: 61 | Location: Birmingham, UK | Registered: 21 May 2002
If it's too old, we're in the same boat cuz my husband and I are both 36 (and a half) and we just got here and don't have jobs etc. But we act, live, and play like we're 25, so we're both pretty optimistic. Please come join the adventure!
That is so tempting. I will be over in October for a few days( have just come back my big annual August visit)and I'm going to speak to some schools. Would love to know how things develop for you. I am so jealous but maybe should just stop being such a coward and do it! Karenanne
kah
Posts: 61 | Location: Birmingham, UK | Registered: 21 May 2002
Come do it, I�m 35 and a half... If she�s Juliette67, I should be Chica68 .
Life gives you second chances. You have a teaching background, making the leap to English should be a snap. You will be alone only if you want to be. Aside from the multimadrid community, you will meet other people here... other teachers...your students, etc.
Take her word for it. I see Chica as this amazing success story in Spain...she's developed her own wonderful language teaching business here in Madrid, entirely on her own merits as a teacher and business woman (No TOEFL, just word of mouth and loving what she does). And she's our age so don't ever let that number stop you....
Aww thanks Juliette for your kind words :b: . I actually have to give a lot of credit to Chico because without his support and help, I don�t know where I would be!! Maybe lost somewhere in Huertas between pitchers of Sangr�a :jeje: .
One other thing I was thinking about Karenanne, you have the benefit of being British on your side. Even if you don�t have the TEFL certificate, more places would be likely to hire you over an American who does not have legal working papers here. And believe me, there plenty of Americans in that situation here, and they all seem to have work!
As I mentioned in a previous thread, teaching work here is plentiful, particularly during September/October and January which are the heavy hiring times for teachers.
Give it some thought, but don�t be scared by the idea. Change is good (right Shawn? ice cream!! :jeje: sorry buddy, I don�t think you will ever live that down!) and the adventure is second to none!!
Oh geez....Juliette67, Chica68, that makes me Candela69!
The age question can be a nagging one, especially when you are starting all over again in a new place.
You have lots going for you though already...you are a UK citizen so you can actually work legally, you are a teacher, so you have the skills and experience, and you are always just a few hours ride from home if it all gets too much.
I think if you are unsure you should come on over in October, visit some schools, hang with me, Chica, Juliette and all of us who are way on the other side of 25 (even if our hearts and minds are most decidedly 25)!
As the gals said above, you will only be alone if you want it that way. To start with you will have mm friends which can help you with everything from finding an apartment to sharing a drink with. Once you start teaching you will meet other teachers and students and then...who knows...
If you do come over in October, post it here and let us know and we will make plans.
Good luck, Candela
Posts: 1001 | Location: MADRID! | Registered: 09 November 2002
Juliette, Chica and Candela - Thanks loads for all the encouragement. It means a lot. I will let you know about October dates and hopefully we can meet up. Then there's Feb, April and August! (The big plus about teaching over here!) I have loads to sort out - house, car, contract over here etc. but it's great to know it isn't one of my stupid ideas! I certainly don't feel old - and Madrid actually makes me feel really young - I just had visions of only gap year students teaching over there and feeling a bit isolated. Anyway, off to drink August's duty free in the garden. Miraculously the sun is still shining over here!
kah
Posts: 61 | Location: Birmingham, UK | Registered: 21 May 2002
jer (31 yrs old but 5 at heart ) chiming in here to say it is never too late to make your dreams come true!!!
quote:
I actually have to give a lot of credit to Chico because without his support and help, I don�t know where I would be!! Maybe lost somewhere in Huertas between pitchers of Sangr�a .
Ok, so what's wrong with being lost somewhere in Huertas between pitchers of Sangr�a I resemble that remark :jeje:
Karenanne, you wrote...
quote:
maybe should just stop being such a coward and do it!
I can understand Americans with no legal status here having these doubts but you are a full-fledged EU resident. I agree with Chica when says go for it, come on over!!!
Oh, I am so glad I started this thread! Raining in England today and work a nightmare. All your comments are keeping me going. Will be back in la mejor ciudad en todo el mundo in less than two months and - armed with all your encouragement - will be looking seriously at jobs, housing etc etc. It may take a while but I don't feel like such a coward - or so alone - anymore. Oh, this is getting sentimental but a GREAT BIG THANK YOU anyway! Off to a flamenco class now. Will certainly be able to keep up with that interest in Madrid! Karenanne
kah
Posts: 61 | Location: Birmingham, UK | Registered: 21 May 2002
I�d suggest not mentioning your age in applications if possible, unless maybe for more senior posts or if you really want to stress your experience/stability or something. Some job banks do require you to put in your DOB, but I find there�s a much better response from recruiters who don�t have that info in front of them (because you sent them your age-free CV).
If you don�t get through the filter you�ll never get to tell them in person about all the great things you can do. Once they have that, _then_ they can find out how old you are.
It�s illegal in Spain, apparently, to specify an age range in an ad but no-one pays any attention. However they�d use age as a filter anyway, I imagine.
Where your DOB might be on your CV, you could put something positive like "No work permit required" if appropriate as in your case (I think).
This is only my personal opinion. It might also be that applications get rejected because the DOB is missing. Stephen
Posts: 319 | Location: Ferrol (Coruña) and Ambridge (Borsetshire) | Registered: 08 March 2003
.
Maybe lost somewhere in Huertas between pitchers of Sangr�a :jeje: .
I resemble that remark :jeje: 
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
