Hi everyone. Very happy to have discovered this board. I'm looking for information on work in Madrid (temporary or other). I have lived in Madrid in the past and am itching to get back as soon as possilbe. I realize that working "legally" is a bit difficult, so I am open to other options that may be available. If anyone has advice/information on any sort of work in the city, I'd certainly appreciate it. Looking forward to speaking with some of you about this, and many other topics! Thanks!

Hey Chi-Mad, You sound like me. I lived there for three amazing years and left two years ago (why oh why i scream pulling out hair!) Anyway, I finally decided to return for good this time. I don't know how much help I can be, but here goes. From talking to friends there both legal and illegal, looks like things are about the same. If you want to teach English, there are lots of academies willing to hire you regardless of your lack of working papers. Of course you can also hire yourself out through segundomano, flyers, and word of mouth. Best bet, hit up your old contacts. I've done that and have two jobs awaiting me in January. If that doesn't work, best bets are to get prepped for English teaching here--know your gerunds from your subjunctive, etc. Create a CV before leaving, and once there grab the nearest Paginas Amarillas, go to the Academias, and with a map in hand, make a big ole list. Then spend a couple of days visiting them in person with your CVs. This worked for me back when I was still hard-"H"ing my Holas. Someone on this site told me they thought I had missed the boat re. getting legal. However, of the many friends I've polled who are still there--the illegal American boat is still floating. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Candela

Here are some articles that talk about the many ways to get back to Spain.

Enjoy,

Shawn

I have done a ton of research, and that is important. You also need a plan.

As far as taking a methodology course in teaching English is concerned, it certainly wouldn't hurt. Here are some links below:

VIA LINGUA

http://www.via-lingua.cz/

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE

http://www.ihworld.com/

BRITISH COUNCIL

http://www.britishcouncil.org/index-1.htm

There are more to choose from, but this should get you started.

Here are links for JOBS:

www.joyjobs.com

www.tefl.com

http://www.infojobs.net/home_ie.htm

Here are links for WORK VISAS:

http://www.workpermit.com/spain/spain.htm

http://www.spainemb.org/ingles/consulate/Employee.htm

http://www.goinglobal.com/countries/spain/permits.asp

http://www.go-spain.com/government/visa1.htm

This decision is not to be taken lightly and plaease look at all options. This should answer the majority of your questions.

Another thing to do is to have a thick 3-ring binder labelled SPAIN. It should have the following sections:

1. Information on the work visa
2. The ESL climate for Spain
3. Work abroad articles from monster.com
4. Paperwork needed for the work visa
5. A small list of English schools in Madrid
6. A CV example for Spain
7. Landing an EFL job abroad

Add another binder cover and place as a heading.

First month transition:

a. Pensions/Hotels/Apartments.
b. Transportation system/bus/Metro/Cercanias.
c. Business Centers.
d. Contingency plans.

This will help you to organize and get focused and stay on track. Never give up on your dream:

Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

-- Langston Hughes

If you have any further questions, please ask. I'm quite sure that Tracey will come through and offer more advice. She is the expert on these things.

Have a great day,

Shawn

MORE RESOURCES

http://www.expatriatecafe.com/modules.ph...r=0&thold=0

http://www.onestopenglish.com/ProfessionalSupport/Travellog/Spain.htm

http://spainforvisitors.com/archive/guestfeatures/teachingenglishinspain.htm

http://www.englishjobmaze.com/

http://www.tesol-spain.org/jobs/

Shawn, you are wonderful! What a great posting. Your advice and resources totally rock! Also you could have no idea how appropriate the Langston Hughes poem is for me.

I left Spain late in 99 and have not stop regretting it for a day. I tried and tried to forget her--moved to a great city, found a kicking job, fell in love, started to put down roots. However, in small moments, when I wasn't consumed with day in day out bits and pieces, my heart ached. I'd cry suddenly. Mostly late at night, alone, driving along snowy lanes, lying in bed under heavy blankets. And god help me if I caught a snippet of flamenco, saw a travel article about spain, smelled ajo cooking in aceite, then I'd collapse somewhere even tears wouldn't seep. My whole spirit sucked into a deep black place. Sadness palpable and pulsating.

This went on for almost three years until about two months ago I was driving over a long bridge, stars spattered in the dark water, feeling like my sadness was as vast as the lake I was crossing, as deep as the night sky. And then, suddenly, she spoke to me. (Or maybe I finally got the courage to listen.) It was my heart beating. Spain. Spain. Spain. In a second I knew I had to return. So I decided to. And now I finally am. Ticket is dated January 6th. Ojala!

However, now as I wrap up my carefully constructed life. Putting things in boxes again. Saying goodbyes again. I can't help but wonder? Am I making a mistake? It is so illogical. I am not in my twenties anymore. Everyone I know is settling into marriages and careers and sunday night hbo and 401Ks and stocks and bills. What am I doing? I should stay, be responsible, work hard, invest, plan my future, marry, buy a home on good ole american soil. In other words: defer my dream.

Which brings us to Langston Hughes. What happens to a dream deferred. I'll tell you because I know. It doesn't go away. You think you can ignore it, rationalize it out, put it in a box like so many holiday photos. But you can't. It will eat your heart raw. It will make you cry. It will get you lost. Listen to me it will demand. And until you do...unbearable sadness.

So, thank you for that poem that I need to hear and for all your great advice. I'll be buying that binder tomorrow.

Candace

I can't even begin to thank you both for helping me with information about getting back to Spain. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I work in Immigration in the U.S., so know how complicated, annoying, and difficult it is to move to a new country. I never really thought I'd be the one wanting to leave, and having to learn the laws of another country...

Anyway, I'm really inspired by all of the info, and to know that there are others like me who have the same feelings and dreams.

I'll keep everyone posted on my progess, and I hope you'll do the same. Thanks!

madrid-chicago, since you said you work in immigration, once you have established yourself and are legal, you should look into working at the embassy. You may look into that now, since your experience may get you in! Its worth a try...