Well, in short, lots of different people.We´ve had students who are undertaking a gap year, graduates who want to broaden their horizons and make their resumes stand out from the crowd, mature adults who want a lifestyle change and students of Spanish who’d like the opportunity to improve their skills by living in Spain, but need to work to do so.
What does the course consist of?
Month 1-2 4 week intensive TEFL course at TtMadrid
Month 2-12 Spanish culture programme (intercambio evenings, cinema, dance classes, museum visits etc) (4 hours per week)
Month 2-12 Tri weekly lesson planning sessions 10.30 – 12.30 (6 hours per week)
Month 2-12 Ongoing professional development training - Friday 10.30 – 1.30 (3 hours per week)
Month 2-12 Teaching practice (this will be arranged on a month to month basis)
So what is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and is an internationally recognised, communicative method of teaching. This means that the teacher and student only use English in the classroom and try to never use the student’s first language whether this is Spanish, Chinese, Russian etc. In Madrid the majority of classes take place in companies such as Siemans, KPMG, Santander etc, teaching groups and one to one classes or private classes in a student’s home. On the course we teach you lots of things including:
Grammar
Phonetics
Teaching skills
Lesson planning
Classroom management
Error and correction
Using materials and resources
Level testing and needs analysis
Business English skills
One to one teaching, telephone teaching, intensives; and
Observed teaching practices.
What does the TEFL programme look like?
The TEFL course is very intensive and you will be in the school from 09.30 to 19.00 each day and you will also be required to complete coursework and assignments in the evenings and on weekends. Our graduates have great success getting work because our course is recognized within the industry as having the highest standards and most relevance to the current market. The TEFL course is also moderated and accredited by the International Association of TESOL Qualifying Organisations, which means that a globally recognized independent body other than ourselves ensures we keep up our standards. It also means that the certificate is recognized and accepted around the world.
During the first week of the course you will observe experienced teachers teaching the Spanish students. You will see a variety of teachers with very different personalities but all using the same methodology. We run four levels of English classes for English language learning students who receive the classes free. These classes enable you to practice your teaching skills in a real classroom with real students. The students are from all walks of life and are very supportive of your development. You will also participate in classes on lesson planning, teaching skills, materials, the four skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening), grammar and phonetics. It is a very practical course and we always keep it very up to date to meet the needs of the current teaching market. In the second week of the course you start your teaching practices (six teaching classes in total). All your teaching practices are observed by one of our TEFL trainers who will give you written and verbal feedback after the class. Feedback is designed to be a positive process by which you are given practical and constructive advice, so you can develop your skills for the next class. Your lesson planning is also done with trainers to guide and help you. Our school is full of the latest books and resources to ensure your classes are fun and dynamic. You can bring your laptop with you and connect to our wifi or you can use the computers at the school.
How do the teaching practices work?
We offer free English classes to our local community.The classes are attended by people from all walks of life; from university students to successful business people.Many of the attendees have been coming for over four years and are very committed to our school.They understand that many of our students have never taught before and are caring, supportive and encouraging as you get over your nervousness and teach for the first time.
Every class you teach will be observed by one of our senior trainers who will give you both written and verbal feedback at the end of your class.This is a very positive process designed to build your confidence and improve your skills.
So what happens after the course?Do you help me get work?
We certainly do. We work with over 180 teaching agencies that are waiting to receive your resume once you’ve finished our course. We organise interviews for you with some of the best agencies and make sure you are prepared for them with our interviewing skills workshop. There has also been an increase in the private class market as many business professionals want to update their English skills to get that promotion or get ready for an interview. We pass on all our knowledge that we have learnt through years of working in the industry in order to secure the best positions. There of course has to be effort on your part and looking the part, following up with the interviews and posting your ads on line and in your local community will make sure that your get plenty of work.
Can I keep on developping myself after the course has finished?
Continuous development and training as a teacher is key to being a successful teacher. For two hours every day, you will have access to all the books, resources and guidance and one of the trainers to help develop your lesson plans for the coming weeks.
You will also participate in regular Friday workshops 3-6 hours depending on the topic. These will increase your skills and knowledge in teaching business English, phonetics, material design and application and many other skills that are important to the teacher. Experts within the industry will regularly lead or take part in these sessions.
What should I expect to earn?
Most teachers work between 20 to 25 hours per week (Monday to Thursday). On average you should expect to be paid between 15-20 euros per hour with a TEFL Certificate qualification, approximately 9 euros without.
What will my expenses pattern look like?
This is a brief overview of the expenses incurred whilst studying with us for the year long programme.
Flights to Spain from the US (one way)
This is dependent on the time of year, where you are flying from and how much in advance you book your ticket.
500
Accommodation for 12 months (This will include all your bills and is in shared accommodation)
(+34) 91 72 56 350 
(+44) 20 7193 8529 
(+49) 89 61 51 22 22 
