I think its not only a case of choosing which country you want to live in and there are good and bad things about both, but also choosing to live in an area that suits what you want and where you are most likely to succeed, this will mean looking at the local infrastructure and services that your family needs now and in the future.

I'm not aware anyone is trying to do anything of the sort, it would seem you're the one trying to make Spain sound the ideal place whilst rubbishing UK. Not sure what sort of teaching job you had, doesn't sound very impressive, my only experience of teaching is my DIL who is deputy head in UK and gets an excellent salary and paid for those long months of holidays when they aren't teaching.

What's your point, exactly? Moving to Spain worked out well for me. I'm better off. I enjoy my life more. When I posted here and elsewhere looking for advice, I was shot down and told not to bother because there was no work here and I'd get here and realise how much better the UK was. The point is, that's not always true. Far from it. I have more than enough teaching work and I've even managed to find translation work. My quality of life is much better here.

I suppose if I'd had the luxury of a secure, well-paid job and had been able to buy my own house/run a car in the UK, it would have been ridiculous to have come to Spain. I don't know any young person who can even dream of having any of that. Most of my friends are still living with their parents and hugely underemployed. I can only imagine that most people posting here are middle-aged and oblivious to the reality of being young in the UK. Used to a lifestyle that's now more or less unobtainable for most.

agoreira, I'm not 'rubbishing' the UK at all (how laughable, is it only alright when it's the other way around?). I'm telling you what my life was like there. I'm sorry you find my previous position 'unimpressive' but you clearly know little to nothing about TEFL. It's nothing like secondary school teaching. It's teaching English to adults. I'm actually better educated and better qualified than most UK secondary school teachers, I just have no interest in teaching children or teenagers. It's not a well-paid career in the UK (it can be in other countries), but it is rewarding and interesting.

I just find a lot of people here incredibly out of touch and oblivious to the realities of life in the UK for most young people. I love the UK, I love visiting and spending time there. I just don't see the point in living there at the moment. I have the same disposable income here, much better weather, less stressful lifestyle, better food and I get to practise my Spanish every day while working towards sitting the DELE exam. If I'd listened to any of the 'advice' I received, I'd still be in London.

I wouldn't take it all too seriously - I didn't get involved in any expat forums until well after I'd bought my house in Spain, but when I did and said I was planning to move over here permanently, I was told life would be much more expensive than I thought, my money would run out and I'd end up having to go back to the UK, I'd roast in the summer and freeze in the winter, life in Spain is simply impossible without air conditioning and a swimming pool, I'd be ripped off left right and centre, in short that I had no idea what I was doing. Some of those doing the telling are exactly the same people still peddling the same message.

And I'm still here six years to the week later, still fine and still enjoying life.
Although it seems in some ways insensitive to say it, in view of the desperately hard time millions of Spanish people are having.

However, you are right. If you have a skill that is in demand, you obviously can still make a go of coming here. I know nothing about TEFL, but even in my area which is not a major city, have seen at least 3 new language schools open within the last year and I'm noticing many more local people trying out English phrases on me so they're obviously learning and wanting to practice. I for one am pleased that you are getting on so well, good luck to you.

I think if there was one job that has been touted as being available in Spain in this forum it was TEFL teaching. In fact Supersteve has been banging that drum for a long, long time.

Thanks - I just think it's crazy that some people are like a broken record - posting about how hard and awful life is in Spain and how the UK is so much easier, without paying attention to people's circumstances. I know what you mean about not wanting to be insensitive - I am well aware that I have it much better than a lot of Spanish people. I'm well aware of how unfair that can seem to some of the locals. I just happen to have the one job they can't do and skills that are in great demand at the moment (teaching and translating into English). I don't know how long that'll last and I have no plans to stay here forever, but for now, it's a decent enough way to make a living and have a better lifestyle. I'm glad it's also worked out well for you!

Well, that's not the message I got, here or elsewhere.

TEFL qualifications are written on toilet paper. Unless you have a valid teaching qualification like PGCE then any reputable language school won't employ you. Whatever you say most jobs are crap, no contract, no holiday pay and around 15 hours per week

Out of interest where do you get this evidence from. I am aware of 2/3 people who have completed TEFL course to earn income..while they travel...I am not saying full time.. have no idea about holiday pay etc. not necessarily in Spain, neither have teaching degrees, I think one works in China at the moment. I was of the understanding that if you have a TEFL certificate then you should be able to find work, in various countries and as I say I assumed it would be part time and not guaranteed. But then again I have not tried, I presume from the fact that you state that the qualification is written on "toilet Paper" you have first hand experience. As I say I don't know but you obviously have a different experience

Out of interest, my nephew and his wife both taught English in China for 18 months without teaching degrees or any TEFL training at all

Jo xxx

yes this was my understanding and what I have been told,

I was just thinking, it must be almost a year since the Fleet was supposedly about to set sail to rescue us all from a fate worse than death. Anybody know what happened to them, did they take a wrong turn or just get tied up with other matters in Gibraltar?

That's simply not true. There's no need whatsoever to have a PGCE to teach English to adults. That's not what PGCEs are for. To work for a reputable language school anywhere in the world, you need a degree, a CELTA (a perfectly 'valid' teaching certification), possibly a DELTA, experience, good references and most importantly, you need to be able to teach.

The industry in the UK is not good for teachers, because of the sheer numbers of highly qualified, native teachers there. The standard of teaching is often very high, but not backed up with job security and good pay. Elsewhere, the conditions and pay can be decent. I had interviews at lots of schools when I arrived in Spain and the vast majority offered full time contracts and holiday pay. I have a good CV, good references and qualifications. Perhaps some chancer with a weekend online TEFL certificate and no experience would end up working in a horrible school, but there are plenty of decent jobs for serious teachers.

A lot of people seem to think TEFL is walking into a classroom, completely unprepared and having a chat about what you got up to at the weekend. Tomorrow, I have an in-company Business English class in the morning and a CPE preparation course in the afternoon. It's not backpacker work.

The 'teaching' work in China isn't really what most of us would consider TEFL. It's more babysitting and working through course books or pure conversation. Most European employers don't count teaching in Asia as experience.

I dont know, all I do know is that they planned and conveyed English grammar and language to Chinese youngsters, prepared homework (maybe thats babysitting???), were paid and most importantly (for them) had an absolute blast!!!


Jo xxx

Good for you... you have sorted that out...by the way i have PM'd you. It is clear that you have knowledge regarding this subject

Clearly you are a teacher, and obviously qualified to do what you do. I am glad to see that you are doing well and that you have settled into life in Spain. I look forward to my visits and my eventually my move and hope to emulate your success.
Keep me posted
Best wishes