Winter Jobs in Spain

Teaching English in Spain

By Paul Jackson

Winter is the busiest time for the English acadamies of southern Spain. The big schools each employ up to six native English-speaking teachers, and the demand for “natives” can be difficult to satisfy.

The two largest schools, The Wall Street Institute and The Opening School, look for evidence that candidates have good interpersonal communication skills and, above all, enthusiasm. Fluency in Spanish is not necessary since all classes are in English; while previous teaching experience is an advantage, it is not a requirement.

To get a work permit the candidate must have a job offer registered with the Spanish authorities. (See the Spanish embassy web site, www.embassyworld.com.) Job applications can be sent to The Wall Street Institute through their web site, www.wsi.es, from anywhere in the world. For the Opening School a candidate must send their CV, with a cover letter addressed to the head of studies, to individual schools before an interview can be arranged. For addresses of all the Opening Schools in Andalucia, send a letter of query and a self-addressed envelope to: The Opening School, Plaza del Duque de la Victoria 1, Sevilla, Spain. All interviews are in Spanish.

PAUL JACKSON and his wife are both teachers who value friendships made and time spent with the people of Andalucia.