Everything Spain Magazine 09/2004

Teacher's Pet

Home thoughts from Madrid

Peter Stone (63), has been teaching English in Madrid for six years on and off, between updating books for Frommer's and Insight Guides

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What qualification do you have, and how was the training?
I have a TESOL Diploma from International House, which I did on the one-month system. It was certainly a challenge; very intensive, but perfectly manageable.

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How did you get this job?
It was found for me by the business section of International House. I teach part-time to executives of the Bank of Spain, and get around £350 per month for a ten-hour week. I only have small groups, say one to four people, and they're motivated and intelligent: that's a lot better than teaching a class full of kids!

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Where do you live in Spain?
I live on the periphery of central Madrid. Rents are high, so expect to pay £200 to £275 per month sharing, £400 for a single flat like mine. You really need to speak Spanish to get along in Madrid and have interests beyond beer and football. It's also far more traditional than Barcelona, so no jokes about Gibraltar!

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Do you interact much with other teachers?
Yes, I have a number of teacher friends. English teachers out here divide into those who've lived here for a while, are older and possibly married to Spaniards, and the younger ones who come and go. There's quite a high turnover in Madrid because it's not as homely as teaching in a little town.

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Can you make a decent living?
A teacher's basic salary in Madrid is about £800 - £950 per month, which hasn't really kept pace with inflation here. You can get by, just, but you'll probably need to try and get part-time evening class work, or get promoted to supervisor. Recognised schools like International House, or the British Council are more reliable, better paid, and less likely to go bust owing you money - which unfortunately does happen.

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