Ironic Glynis.. you want to teach to improve your self worth, and a friend of mine here makes a very good living from teaching presentational skills in schools, which is about giving young people self confidence. She is also an actress and works the length and breadth of the country. Her only frustration is that she usually spends just a day in each school, and it just isn't enough. I do wonder what it might be like to live there permanently, but realise that I would need an absorbing hobby or job to fill my days once the novelty had worn off. I have worked with young people in the past teaching them dinghy sailing, and have often wondered if there might be some use for my skills at the sailing school in the old harbour. Maybe one day soon.
Just remember we all have a value.....it's just a case of finding where it's most appreciated.

Absolutely, think I am just having a really bad week and it will pass.

Hi Glynis

Something else you might consider is taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course. These are available to do at your own pace On-Line. With a TEFL qualification under your belt you will probably find lots more openings and opportunities for you. It is also a great way to use up any free time you currently have and great for motivation, stimulation and confidence building too. Good luck. Amara xx

www.tefltraining.co.uk
www.teachenglish.co.uk

check out these sights!!

Thanks Amara I will definitely look into that, especially if it´s online.

It is a great idea to start by teaching infants voluntarily. You will end up getting more out of it than them. Young children don't need stories as the language is too difficult - start off with songs (head, shoulders, knees and toes, if you're happy and you know it etc) flash cards with words and pictures, realia (toys, dressing up outfits etc.) and make the class fun. If the children leave the classroom laughing they'll be back.
The best place to start is with the APA (parent teacher assoc.). You do not need to meet teachers, headmasters etc - things are more relaxed in Spain. Take in your material and teach.
Expect to get frustrated and annoyed but also expect to have a wonderful experience that will set you on the way to becoming not only a fluent Spanish speaker but an admired mum (all your kids' friends will love you because they're learning English with you) and a integrated member of the society of "normal Spanish life as seen from the inside, not the outside"
I've done it - you can to - Good luck

Hi maruja,
Good idea with the songs for the younger children. How about big picture books of a spanish fairytale retold in english for the 6 - 8 year olds? Could you name a few well known fairytales, please? Just out of curiosity...

And, how about the other end of the age spectrum? What is the name in spanish for pensioners' clubs (something "tercera edad"?) Where would one go to enquire about voluntary work? Perhaps the organisers would welcome a volunteer coming in to read newspapers/books to older people with poor eyesight? Perhaps also bringing in pets for companionship? (Glynis, how is your dog now? ) This second option would require the volunteer to do more speaking in spanish.

Thanks,
Carol

May be this site will be of interest to someone....
TEFL

It is all worth thinking about. The dog is super now since we had him castrated although he still thinks he is a cat. I took him down to meet my friends new kitten and he was overjoyed and wanted it to play with him. So it ended up this tiny black scrap of a kitten chasing the dog all around the garden. Great to see.

I have decided to go back to the free Spanish lessons in the Autumn to boost my spanish and hopefully keep me occupied and then I can do something worthwhile having hopefully better Spanish.