Moving to Barcelona was a spontaneous decision for me. I quit my jobs and moved away from everyone and everything familiar. While hard at times, it was completely worth it. Barcelona is a vibrant and bustling city with mountains, beach and countryside all within reach. The people are friendly and the whole city is walkable with bakeries, bars and cafes lining every street. The people here are passionate and lively. If there is a holiday, people participate whether that means handing out roses and books on Sant Jordi Day or setting up Christmas markets all around town during December. If there is a Barcelona match, the city erupts with cheers when they score. If you are looking for a city with plenty to do, see and taste, Barcelona is an excellent choice.

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Taking the TEFL course was a great way to ease into a new city and culture. You bond with your classmates and receive a lot of hands on practice in the classroom. The course prepares you by reteaching forgotten grammar, providing useful teaching techniques and exercises, and actually allowing us to teach 1-2 classes per week. If you are wanting to teach or simply live abroad while earning some extra money, this course is well worth it.

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I took the class in November, so finding work in December proved to be a challenge because everyone was on holiday. If you are wanting to travel before filling your schedule with students, December is an ideal month for that. However, once January rolled around, students started pouring in. I found all of my students on Tus Clases. Most of my classes are one on one, and most of them have been fairly consistent. The only reality of teaching on your own and not through an academy is the inconsistency. Life happens and students cancel and you don’t get paid. It can be frustrating at times, but if you bond well with your students, it makes it all worth it.

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Housing is something you should start looking into right when you get here. It can take a few weeks to find a place, so if you are looking ahead of time, you could have a home right when you finish the course rather than living in a hostel.

Barcelona has so many things to do. You can go to a football match. Chill at the beach. Hike or climb at Montserrat. Eat at one of many delicious restaurants. Relax in a cafe. Check out the various food and craft markets that happen monthly. Visit the National Art Gallery or Sagrada Familia. There are so many neighborhoods to explore with trendy shops and bars like Gracia, El Born and Sant Antoni. Soak it all in.

Finally, make sure to travel. There are so many beautiful places in Spain and beyond. Look for the cheapest flight and make it your next destination. Also, take time to learn Spanish (or Catalan, if you are feeling like a challenge). It is so helpful as a teacher to understand what it’s like to be the student learning an unfamiliar language. It is also exciting to be able to communicate with your barista, landlord, or friends in the countries language. Teaching abroad has been an unbelievable and rewarding experience that I will never forget, and the TEFL course made it possible. If you are considering it, DO IT.

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By Hanna Guenther

 

For more information on our TEFL courses visit teflbarcelona.net