Tip #1 – Starting Out. If you’re new at teaching English, your first inclination will probably be to accept any and every assignment thrown at you. There are, however, three things to consider when accepting work: 1) the distance, 2) the hourly rate, and 3) your calendar.
Here’s why: Not all students are based in the city center; it’s not uncommon to have to take a train to a bus or switch trains to another zone. All that eats up an enormous amount of time (not to mention money), so it’s wise to consider if spending 3 to 3.5 hours traveling (on top of the actual teaching time) is worth it. Chances are, it might end up being your only class for that day.
Second, teaching “domicilio” means you’re freelance, so every expense comes out of your pocket. Transportation, books, office supplies, realia–it adds up. On top of that, you still have your living expenses to cover and Madrid ain’t cheap. Make a (worst-case scenario) budget and price yourself accordingly.
Lastly, you can teach only so many hours in the day. Don’t underestimate the commute time or the time it takes to prepare lessons, because these two aspects of the job are really what will wear you out. Do the smart thing and leave yourself at least one light day during the week. And for the love of all that is wonderful about cheese…DON’T SCHEDULE BOTH EARLY MORNING AND LATE NIGHT CLASSES. You’ll take me later.
Tip #2 – Find a Mentor. I won’t even sugarcoat it for you. Teaching in a foreign country is hard as hell. Once the initial high of moving abroad wears off, reality’s giant foot kicks you hard right in your ass. You’re now dealing with a different culture, language, process, belief system, and educational system–and you’re doing it as an American. If you think that last one isn’t a doozy, think again. No matter how “modern” or “progressive” a country appears to be, it’s not the United States, and the simplest things that we Americans take for granted aren’t necessarily de rigueur.
Which is why I advocate finding a mentor, someone who can not only guide you as a teacher, but who can also guide you as an extranjero. You’re going to need help with pretty much every aspect of life at least for the first year. Make this a priority.
Tip #3 – Save Money Before Leaving the U.S. and Remember the Currency Exchange. No explanation needed.
Tip #4 – Make Friends. Teaching “domicilio” is great for those of us who are disciplined enough to get the job done and enjoy being in charge of the teaching/learning process. It also means spending a lot of time alone–planning lessons, researching grammar areas, preparing material, and pinpointing students’ trouble spots. If you’re like me–the type to get passionate about what you do–you can run the risk of getting swallowed up in the job. During my first year, I worked round-the-clock, seven days a week. The adrenaline was running high for the first six months…and then I started to feel trapped. I had no friends, no social life, no nothing but my friends and family back home on Skype and Facebook. So when the stress set in, I had no outlets beyond my computer screen.
The interesting thing about Spaniards is that they don’t follow the “professional code” that’s ingrained in Americans. We’re taught to separate our personal and professional lives. The line between the two are to not EVER be crossed. Here in Madrid, there is no such line; anyone who smells like a potential friend is invited to be one. Adult students that I’d had kept inviting me in, but I resisted based on what I knew as an American.
Eventually, I let go of what I knew. I started accepting the dinner and drinks offers that poured in, and ultimately amassed a cool circle of friends. These people saved my sanity at times when I needed them the most.
The point of all this? You’ll need a circle in order to survive.
Tip #5 – Laugh. A Lot. This job is ridiculously hard. Do yourself a favor and remember to laugh. Enjoy the ride, the process, the frustrations, the students, the goofiness, the near-poverty, the Sangria, the ugly women’s shoes, the whole thing. It’s an experience. Don’t ever forget that.