Teach English in Barcelona: Insider Tips and Job Guidance

As I sat drinking my coffee one morning in my California home, the thought of teaching English abroad crept into my brain once again. I decided the bustling coastal city of Barcelona, Spain would be the perfect location for me. A few months later, I found myself waiting in the rain for a taxi out front of El Prat airport with luggage in both hands and the address to my new apartment in my coat pocket. I was a little scared. This is what I wanted, but how would I ever find a job in this foreign city? How would I even attempt to teach English?

If you find the thought of teaching English in Barcelona often creeping into your brain, please, read on. The following will provide some advice on choosing the right certification program, finding work, and surviving abroad.

Becoming certified to teach English as a foreign language will be the first step in your search for a job. While not necessary, it is highly recommended. Like a high school diploma, a certification course teaches important skills and greatly increase your likelihood of finding work. There are many organizations to choose from to become certified to teach in Barcelona.

I received my certification through TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) Barcelona. This is an intensive one month course. The content includes: grammar and phonology, foreign language, methodology, lesson planning, and 60 hours of teaching practice and critique. TEFL Barcelona also offers job guidance and a bounty of on-site resources. The classroom becomes not only a place to learn, but a place to make new friends and network for future jobs in the city.

This is only one option of many. I suggest exploring various certification programs on your own. Review course outlines, prices, read testimonials, contact former students and program directors to find out which program is right for you.

While current job availability in Spain is at a low, the availability of English teaching jobs is not. Many out-of-work Spaniards are taking this time to improve their English skills. As a native English speaker, you have the advantage.

First things first: fine-tune your CV (resume) in European style. Include a photo, related coursework (specific classes), and any relevant teaching/volunteer experience you may have.

Teach at a school

Knocking on doors, shaking hands, and handing out as many copies of your CV as possible is essential. Unfortunately, if you are an American citizen without a work visa, finding employment can be difficult. Difficult, but not impossible. Schools in Spain now face an expensive fine if they give jobs to illegals, and for many, it's not worth the risk. In my experience, I found this to be a problem in about half of the schools visited. The other half - the ones willing to take the risk - were excited to have an American English speaker (legal or not) as opposed to British English.

You can search the Paginas Amarillas online to find schools in and around Barcelona. Dress in business casual attire, visit schools, leave your CV and follow up. Another particularly useful tool online is Lingo Bongo. You can use this site to find private classes, teaching jobs and language exchanges. Not to mention, they will send your CV out to every language school in Barcelona. If the thought of teaching in front of a class is too intimidating, there are other option. Teaching private lessons can give you a more casual and independent work schedule, with just as much income.

Give private lessons

Giving private lessons is another great way to teach English to various ages and proficiencies, and get some income. Creating your own schedule, price, and class locations are some obvious advantages. Why not hold English lessons on the beach at sunset for 20 Euro an hour? Mango mojitos and the present tense? Sure. To find private lessons, you can post an advertisement offering your services online at Loquo, and on Craigslist. You can check the classified ads listed in The Metropolitan, Barcelona's English speaking magazine. Another useful and popular monthly magazine with classified ads in English is Barcelona Connect.

As with any business, it will help to advertise yourself. Print flyers offering your services and post them around town. But don't waste your time (or paper) by plastering these just anywhere. The most effective locations - where they won't get ripped down - to post these will be at any of the local Universities, bakeries or English bookstores in the city like Come In or Hibernian). Networking is crucial. Network with everyone. Students and strangers. Eventually, business will come your way.

Summer camps

As the school year comes to an end, the need for English teachers does not. There are many summer camps for kids and adults that are designed to offer fun activities while teaching them English. These summer camps vary in location and length. Some will be day-to-day in the city while others might host you for weeks at a time in the forest. Research available summer camp positions in the same manner I suggested look for a job at a school.

Teach business English

Many large companies are focused on ensuring their employees are knowledgeable in the English language. They will hire native speaking English teachers to help their employees with this. The job comes with two sides. Lesson planning for business English may be a bit more difficult than teaching elementary English (teaching students how to present a business plan), but the position often involves a higher paying salary.

Teaching English can be a rewarding experience. It's an amazing opportunity to travel, meet new people, challenge yourself and do new things. The need for English teachers is at a constant demand in Barcelona and all across the world. Below is some advice and some useful links for when you do find a job.

Be professional - The nightlife in Barcelona can be outrageous, but it's important to not show up to class with no sleep, red-eyed and smelling of fermented grapes.

Be prepared - Have a lesson plan ready ahead of time. Prepare extra activities in case you have extra time. Remember the military's 7-P's: Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.

Have confidence - As a new teacher, you may sometimes doubt your abilities. Remind yourself of one simple thing: you know English! If your students stump you on some technicality, look it up later and get back to them.

Have fun, be yourself - This is the most important. Genuinely enjoy yourself and the material you are teaching, and your students will do the same.