Kernowsurf

Hi all
Just signed up here and hope to get some advice and chat to some expats in Majorca.
I'm a 28 year old planning on moving from Cornwall to Majorca to teach English in a school, from January/February 2017.
Can anyone tell me if it would be any good as a long term job?
I'm also taking my dog who I can not leave behind! So any info on this would be great too!
I have been reading so many different articles and posts on forums which are very mixed views on life in Majorca.
I am learning spanish but by myself at the moment, but hope to take a class in September and continue when I'm out there.
I hope to hear back from some of you soon, I'm keen to chat all things Mallorca!
Holly Xx

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

cricketman

Just a word of warning, most locals in Mallorca will speak Catalan, not Spanish! The school you are going to will most probably be a Catalan speaking school (if it is a state school)

amideislas

The "official" and "native" language in Mallorca is [a dialect of] Catalan, but everybody in Mallorca speaks Spanish. It's required for everything. It's required in schools, required in the workplace....

The biggest problem with newbies is jobs, but you seem to have that covered. Cost of living is low, presuming you don't choose to live in an expat community. However, the international schools tend to be located in expat communities, so if you need to be close by, then you'll likely be paying a good bob to live.

If you're bringing your dog, I'd recommend NOT getting a flat in an expat community, but something cheap & cheerful in the countryside so your dog can have a life. Public transport here is very good.

Anyway, good luck with everything... Please feel free to pm me with any questions. I'll be glad to help if I can.

cricketman

Not from what I understand

90% of primary schools in Mallorca only teach in Catalan

El 90% de los colegios públicos de Mallorca dan la Educación Primaria en catalán | elmundo.es

My nephews go to school in Barcelona. Not a word of Castellano is spoken. All in Catalan

amideislas

Well, OK, the article you offer does seem to settle it. So, I stand corrected.

But I have never, ever met any Mallorquin that isn't absolutely fluent in castellano. I am told that fluency in both spoken and written castellano is a fundamental requirement in all Mallorca public schools.

And from my experience, I've never seen a contract written in Catalan. Always Castellano.

cricketman

If you go to a school in the Balearics, most likely everyone will be speaking in Catalan. As an outsider, you can come in and speak Castellano, and they will normally politely reply back in Castellano, but then continue speaking Catalan

You can absolutely "get by" in Castellano in almost all of Catalunya and Balearics, but it will be very difficult to integrate into society and make friends, especially if working in a Catalan speaking school

Speaking Castellano in Catalunya is a bit like speaking English on the Costa del sol It is the colonizers language, but it is not the local language

Kernowsurf

Thanks for the info both of you, really appreciate it. The Catalan vs spanish seems to be a hot topic for Mallorca, from reading other forums.
Maybe I should think about learning catalan instead? What would you say?
Also, do you speak fluent Spanish or Catalan? If so, what was the best way for you to learn?
I've never learnt a language before!

Great advice about the dog too, I would definately prefer somewhere in the countryside where she would have plenty of outside space.

I hope to do teaching yes, so the job shouldn't be a problem, the language will be my biggest challenge, that and meeting people and making friends that aren't all expats.

One thing I've been wondering about is taking my car over there, Im planning on loading it all up and taking ferry over to France and driving to Barcelona to get the ferry over to Mallorca. I have read you need to change the license plates to Spanish plates after 3 months with a pricey fee. Is this worth doing? Or would out be better to buy a Spanish car out there?

cricketman

The problem is that you probably need both!

Learning a language well takes a long time, years of immersing yourself in the language and culture

The quickest way is to come to Spain, take an intensive language course, get Spanish flat mates and stay away from English speaking TV!

lesleyandme

I brought my English Corsa over.
The cost depends on the engine size. For my 1.6 Corsa, with fully comp insurance for the two of us, ITV (MOT), all taxes paid, road licence and new plates it was 1.200€.
Second hand cars out here are ridiculously expensive and I thought it worth it judging by what I have seen out here.
Two things to consider if you do bring your car out.
Change the headlights in the UK and if you have a single high intensity fog light on the rear get it moved to the other side.
My Corsa failed the ITV on this
Good luck with your move and as above if you want to know anything else feel free to PM.
For the record Spanish gets you by.
Mine is rubbish, but all the local Mallorquins encourage my to speak it

tabbicat

This question is impossible to answer without more information. Have you been offered a long term contract at the school? Many language schools (academies) only offer contracts between Sept-June, and it can be difficult to find work over the summer months.

Unless you have a long term work contract and accommodation arranged this may be complicated. Perhaps you could get settled first and then bring the dog out. If/when you return to the UK with the dog there are strict regulations you need to know about. You will need to plan well in advance so the dog has rabies shot, passport, etc. Also, living in the countryside as someone suggested for the dog, could mean you are quite isolated. As a young person wanting to meet people and socialise, this may not be what you want. And the dog may be left alone all day if you are out working.

Then there's the language issue, even if you learn the local dialect of Catalan spoken there, it is quite different (at least to my ears) form Catalan spoken in Catalonia.

If you have a good long term job offer and are sure Mallorca is where you want to live, then go for it. If not, I'd advise you to think carefully and maybe do more research on where you want to live, especially if taking your dog. There will be a lot to learn once you get there, not just the language. (For example, taking dogs on public transport is not always allowed.)

Good luck whatever you decide to do, and do think things through carefully if taking a dog.

Kernowsurf

Wow thank you so much for this info on the car, that's really useful to know! Yes I heard that cars are silly money out there so would defo bring my own car
When you say headlights, what would I need too change about them? Sorry I'm not very clued up on cars lol
I have spoken to a local who I am in touch with and he has said to learn Spanish not Catalan. Phew!!
Also, what is the winter really like in Mallorca? i have heard mixed things on this too. Will I need hats gloves and scarves?
I am planning on starting out in alcudia but may move about for work.
I am so excited and just wish these next 8 months of saving money will go fast!
Thanks again for your help and advice.
Looking forward to chatting with you some more ☺

Kernowsurf

Thank you for your advice, I am sure Mallorca is where I want to live, I love it out there. Its not just the sun that pulls me, its the shear challenge of moving to a different country and the learning process that will last many years. Life here in the UK has become stale for me and I am pretty isolated where I live here in Cornwall. With only 1 true friend and a boring job, I spend many hours alone, bored. My life is what I make it and staying here will be the same year after year.
Whereas I will be constantly challenged over there, this is what attracts me the most.

How do you find it living out there? Do you regret it?

amideislas

You want to consider the cost of registering and licencing your UK RHD car, also that RHDs have little resale value here.

You can buy a decent used car for €1000 - €2000. It may well cost you €1000 to legalise your English registered car.

Winters are the best time IMO. Up till about Mid-january, its pretty mild, with lots of sunny warm days. Nights are chilly from about november, when we finally get some serious rain. This is when it becomes green again, and stays that way until about late May or June.

Starting about mid-January, the warm days start numbering fewer than the cold ones. The mountains get snow capped occasionally, and the wildflowers and almond trees start to bloom.

lesleyandme

The headlights on a UK car dip to the left.
But when you are driving on the right hand side of the road and they dip to the left they will dazzle oncoming traffic. So you need lights that dip to the right. the car we brought over had served its time, its over ten years old, so to us it was a no brainer. They re sale value is not a factor.
If you do come over in a car just leave it on English plates and see how you get on.
Ami has summed the winter up perfectly. I find them very mild after the UK, but my wife does go for a scarf and gloves on the odd day so you may want to bring a few pairs.
Alcudia is a good place to start, but I am biased