Here's what some of
our graduates have to say
Rachel Nunn, British Fijian
Reasons why TtMadrid are Absolutely Fabulous! :
1. From the very start, they're there for you 100% answering your EVERY query from what kind of clothes to bring to Madrid to what kinds of things to expect from the course.
2. The course itself was very challenging, especially during the first week, but the teachers at TtMadrid do an absolutely fabulous job of getting you through the initial shock of overanalyzing every little details of a language that you have been speaking since you were a toddler! It's amazing!
3. Before doing the course at TtMadrid, I had absolutely no teaching experience, but during the course they made sure that you get over every hurdle that teaching may present you with from disruptive students to work overload!! They were always there to keep the pieces together in-case you decided to fall apart.
4. I'm originally from Fiji and moving to a place that is literally on the other side of the world was a HUGE step for me - personally and physically (I was only allowed 20kg on the plane - eek!!). TtMadrid were there for me all the way - whenever I was homesick, they would always remind why I was in Madrid in the first place making me feel even more confident than before!!
5. Apart from all this, coming to Spain was a a frightful prospect for me because I didn't speak a lick of Spanish! Nada! <-- (nothing in Spanish). TtMadrid gave me help making appointments to get my social security number and my N.I.E. – Back then, I would not have been able to do this on my own!
6. During the last week of the course you really start to wonder, what kind of work will I get out there? Take it from me, there's tons! TtMadrid sets you up with interviews during the last week and by the start of the following week you have hours to work in your pocket! Easy as that!
7. It has been more than 6 months since I graduated from TtMadrid and yet, I'm still in there almost every day!! The atmosphere in TtMadrid is one that is friendly, caring, and very open. It's great catching up with other teachers as well as making new friends from current courses! Their post-course support is outstanding! You go in there with thousands of questions, and they're answered instantly with a detailed explanation as well as book reference. They know the resources they have, and there's no limit to what you can use - you can use EVERYTHING!!!
Too long?! In short, everybody says that doing the TtMadrid TEFL course is rewarding. It is, don't get me wrong, but at the same time it's amazing what you learn about language learners as well as yourself! Teaching English is a whole other ball game that should be embraced to the fullest!
Katie Lytch
Paul Schuetz
Richard McLaughlin
Educational Background:
A Sports Science and Physiology degree from Leeds University.
Work History:
I worked in the fitness industry for 10 years, first as a personal trainer before moving into fitness coaching at football clubs.
What are you doing now?
Right now I’m sitting in a bar on the beach in Lanzarote using the Spanish I have learned and deciding where to go and teach next-the world is my oyster!
Comments:
I researched the internet for about a month before first, deciding on moving to Madrid and then, taking a Tefl course with TT Madrid. It was an inspired choice. I didn’t know anyone when I first moved here but Temura and the other teachers make you feel really welcome, they try to foster a family spirit at the school and it really works. I made good friends with people on the course and felt like I belonged here very quickly.
I’d had no previous experience of teaching and my grammar was terrible. However over the 4 weeks of the course Temura, Natasha and Senida teach you everything you need to know and you finish the course feeling confident enough to teach English to a goat. My Spanish was non-existent but I found due to the course I am now able to teach even the most elementary learners.
Once the course is over TT Madrid will ensure you to find a job by emailing your c.v. to all the employers, organising for you to have job interviews and regularly sending you emails about work opportunities until all the blank spaces are filled in your teaching schedule. Unlike other schools TT Madrid don’t just pack you on your way once you’ve graduated, they are always there to give you advice and support. You can use the library to get ideas for a lesson, use the computers to check emails, ask advice about accommodation or just pop in for a coffee and a chat. Once you´re a member of the TT Madrid family you´re always welcome in the school.
Craig Moon
I came to Madrid in hope of obtain teaching experience while learning the Spanish language. I didn’t know anyone in Spain before coming, but through TtMadrid I met lots of great people from all over the world! The environment at TtMadrid is very warm and welcoming and they were instrumental in making me feel at home in a foreign country.
The staff are always available and all graduates leave prepared to live and work throughout Spain. The staff not only helps you secure work, they also help you keep it, by an intense circulation of your CV, hosting interviews monthly, and offering teachers supplies, internet access, and advice whenever you need it.
Once I graduated the course in March, I began working as an intensive course instructor. I am now preparing to work a couple of summer camps (Dublin and Bilbao) and upon my return I have full time work already lined up for the following year, all thanks to TtMadrid.
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Martín Wilson
"TtMadrid gave me excellent instruction on how to teach English plus they were very effective at getting me work almost immediately after I finished the course. I am also a huge fan of the staff. I highly recommend TT to anybody considering going into teaching."
Educational Background:
Lewis & Clark College, BA in Psychology.
Work history:
Before moving to Madrid I worked as a Program Manager for an energy efficiency consulting firm in Portland, Oregon for about 4 years. Before that I worked as a freelance translator and before that I was a door to door light bulb salesman.
What you are doing now?
About 3 days a week I am working for the Spanish military doing level testing. Every Spanish officer and most soldiers must take an English exam every 5 years. I also have several private clients and I teach one to one classes for Madrid's city and regional governments.
Comments:
TT Madrid was the right choice for me. I needed to quickly get up to speed on teaching English and to learn about the third conditional. TT also provided me with context for what teaching English is about and I liked having a few classes to use as a sandbox before being cast into the work world.
The course was also very useful for making contacts in Madrid and I still use TT as a resource for teaching materials and the staff are very helpful when I have a challenging English problem or a student with particular needs. I recommend TT to anyone who, like me, wants to have a solid knowledge base about how to teach and what expectations to have entering the fray.
My life in Madrid is great. I share a great flat with a Spaniard and spend my free time enjoying the various fruits that Spain has to offer. I am currently considering applying for a position in the football team called Real Madrid, dependent on how attractive their offer is.
Joachim Wressnig
Austria
Educational Background:
Studied history and political sciences at the University of Vienna.
Work history:
During University worked in different part-time jobs and did intern ships at newspapers. Then I was the press officer of the Austrian Hockey Federation (ÖHV) for 2 years.
Comments:
The course was quite overwhelming at first, as, being a student for the last few years, I just hadn't been accustomed to hard work any more. And it is hard work! It was really good experience though as I had learned foreign languages before, but had not been aware of how much it takes to be a good teacher and TtMadrid was able to teach me that in just 4 weeks.
I would never have thought it possible, but by the 2nd week I began teaching and actually discovered I enjoyed it. I wasn´t even scared as I knew that the TtMadrid teachers wouldn´t throw me into a situation I wouldn't be able to handle. At the end of the course I felt already very secure when going into a class to teach and was able to try more difficult lessons.
Luckily I was in a big course and I can say that I meet several people that have become good friends and I will stay in touch with, even if I or them should return home.
Paula Clark
31
Cambridge, UK
Educational Background:
After studying Leisure and Tourism at college, I went on to do a degree in Marketing and Operations Management at Lancaster University.
Work history:
I have 9 years business experience working within the IT industry in England. For most of this time I was working in marketing roles. I was also responsible for setting up a sales and graduate programme in which I was first introduced into the world of training!
What you are doing now?
I’m now working a 25 hour week, Monday to Thursday, which incorporates one-to-one classes with both business professionals and those who require social English; and incompany classes for Caja Madrid, Yahoo and MonSanto. The group classes range from 3 people to 8 people per class.
Comments:
If you are looking for a very professional school within a friendly atmosphere, that provides endless support and guidance, then this is the course for you. TtMadrid provide advice and are always willing to help with every situation. They make the transition of moving from one career to a whole new one and adjusting to another culture and life in Madrid as smooth as possible.
In terms of the actual content of the course, it is a full schedule, yes, it is hard work in terms of content and coursework, but extremely educational. The added benefit is that it is one of a few accredited courses in Madrid so not only will you have a TEFL accreditation, you will have an official accredited qualification that you can use anywhere in the world.
I currently live in the centre of Madrid, where I am sharing a flat with an English girl. There is an endless supply of accommodation with both native and non-native flat mates to choose from. Life in Madrid is good, it’s not too much of a chore to got used to the endless nightlife, café’s and sampling all the tapas and local wines!
Tim Samuelson
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Hi, my name is Tim Samuelson and I'm originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A.
I took the TtMadrid course in January of 2007 and it was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. I studied business marketing and Spanish at Colorado State University and never really considered teaching until it presented itself as an opportunity to travel and, specifically, return to Spain.
I enjoy teaching more than I ever thought I would simply because in addition to seeing your students learn, as the teacher, you have to learn as well. This keeps things entertaining and new as opposed to suffering the monotony of sitting at a desk wishing you were in Madrid.
After speaking with other teachers around Madrid it is clear that the TtMadrid course provides much better preparation for teaching than other courses. You are able to practice with real lessons and real students instead of role-playing with other trainees or instructors.
Additionally, the staff acts as guides before, during, and especially after the completion of the course. They are very committed to maintaining contact with graduates and helping to resolve any questions or concerns that may arise regarding agencies, students, teaching, or life in Madrid in general.
Not only is Spain a paradise for working and living, TtMadrid is a great introduction to a friendly and fun group of people from all over the world. Taking the course is a decision that is impossible to regret.
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Michaela Machovičová
Czech Republic
Educational Background
MA Degree in Primary Education and English at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. During those studies, I also went as a Socrates/Erasmus student to London for 1 year to study English Literature and Comparative Education at Roehampton University.
Work History
During my studies at Charles University I had a few part time jobs - working as an assistant and researcher at Faculty of Education, as an Audit Committee for a local organization in my hometown in the Czech Republic, and finally, teaching English in companies and language schools in Prague. I had also a few temporary student jobs like Work and Travel USA and Canada.
After finishing my studies in Prague I went through Socrates/Comenius to work as an English assistant at high school in Extremadura, Spain.
What are you doing now?
When I finished the course with TtMadrid in January/February 2007, I started teaching English to army officers and then in companies. I worked around 22 hours a week, Friday off (which was great!). Then I worked as an English teacher and a monitor at a summer camp outside Madrid which lasted 14 days and I enjoyed it a lot.
Since September I have been teaching English, Science and Art at private bilingual Catholic school in Madrid. I teach first grade, girls only. This has helped me to get more experience as a primary school teacher.
Comments
The course at TtMadrid was excellent! It was very helpful for my career and also for my social life. I met many new people who I am still in touch with.
Even though I had an MA Degree in Education and English, I didn't feel confident to teach adults, business people, army officers etc. Thanks to the TEFL course I have become more confident. Temura, Natasha and Senida taught me how to effectively prepare for classes and how to be a good teacher.
The staff at TtMadrid are extremely helpful, not only during the course, but also afterwards. I have been living in Madrid for 1 year and I am still in touch with the TEFL teachers, who are also good friends of mine. Whenever I needed more teaching hours, they immediately offered me some. If I needed advice, they helped me. They also found me the job I am doing now.
TtMadrid also organizes nights out which is a good opportunity to see them all and to meet new graduates as well. I would definitely recommend this course to everyone who is thinking about a teaching career as well as for those who just want to travel and earn some money from teaching.
Andrew Lee
USA
Educational Background:
I have a graduate degree in bioengineering, but have been involved in tutoring and teaching on the side for many years.
Work history:
Business consulting at a few different companies the last several years, and I've kept up with tutoring students pretty consistently the entire time.
What you are doing now?
I'm working in the life-science field as my day job, but help out with English language classes in Boston. I tutor English in the Chinatown section the city, and the majority are pre-intermediate students, so thankfully I had that type of teaching experience in Madrid to draw on.
Comments:
My circumstances were a bit different since I wasn't going to stay in Spain and work. I had wanted to get a TEFL certificate and heard good things about TTMadrid through Global Crossroad. I remember calling Temura to register two days before the session began, and landing in Madrid 1 hour before the class started. TTMadrid was GREAT at coordinating things with me. They were organized and communicative, and I hadn't seen that with most other TEFL groups. Tem was extremely helpful and responsive, and willing to take me into the program despite all the last minute changes. And Senida found me a room to rent before I arrived. Basically, they're on top of things.
The training sessions at TTMadrid can be long, but they're structured well. Since the mandate is 120 hours of instruction, things are always moving. The instructors won't hold your hand, but they do make sure people are on track. Plus, they do a good job covering a breadth of topics, including discussions about living and working in Spain. The English teaching sessions are the crux of the program, and they constantly help with preparation and giving feedback. The teachers are really committed, both in and out of class. One of them even helped a fellow student navigate Iberia customer service when they lost her luggage!
The students I met at TTMadrid were very interesting. There's a real diversity of people that come to study in Madrid, and getting to know them was the best part of the program. I still keep in touch with them. And the social life here is as good as anywhere I've been. Students and teachers mingle, and everyone's encouraged to pop-in after graduation.
Back in the States, I still get nostalgic about that summer at TTMadrid, and have tried turning people on to that experience. You won't regret it.
Ciao!
Aftab Khan
UK
Educational Background:
Bachelor in Science in Computing related and currently studying a Masters Artificial Intelligence at London University.
TOEFL/TEFL certified.
Work history:
8 years as a Software Engineer working at various companies such as the United Nations (which was the highlight) to Phillip Morris in Turkey.
What you are doing now?
After living and working in Madrid for 6 months (which was thoroughly enjoyed) I returned back to the UK and currently trying to keep warm in the UK whilst pursuing a Masters in Artificial Intelligence and possibly further research in the area. At least to get to a state of writing my PhD synopsis.
Comments:
I thoroughly recommend being put through the rigours at TT Madrid. It is one of the most challenging courses and prepares any student well with the technical and other skills required for teaching in any country. Although not stated on the brochure, the 'folk tales' of the teachers own experiences in working in Madrid are in invaluable wisdom, and serve as great advice to take onboard into your own teaching preparation.
Craig Wooldridge
USA
After studying German at California State University, Long Beach I did the next logical thing; I became a photographer. After more than twelve years photographing weddings I went on to work in the sales department for a boutique wine company in San Diego.
Now I'm working at a private language academy in Munich, Germany teaching intensive courses all day Monday through Friday. I primarily instruct managers and corporate executives for major German companies like MTU Aero Engines, Siemens and E-ON Energy and Gas Company. Many of my classes are one to one or groups of up to 5 students. The Academy also employs teachers for weekly in house training at the company after the intensive weeks are completed.
My experience at TtMadrid not only prepared me for my career as an English teacher but it is also the reason for my success. My extremely high confidence level every time I walk into the classroom is due to the fact that I carry the knowledge and expertise passed on to me by all the instructors at TtMadrid. The environment is very personal which is a point I really appreciated. I never felt as though I was attending some kind of TEFL factory or that my success wasn't a concern.
After speaking with many other teachers who have had different experiences with other schools I would have to say that dedication is the key to TtMadrid's edge over the competition. Guaranteed job placement for all TtMadrid graduates is proof enough of how connected they are to the local market and the reputation they have maintained with respect to consistently turning out qualified teachers time and again. While researching schools it was this fact alone that sold me on a TtMadrid TEFL certificate.
Madrid is a fun city with a totally different flair than anything you will find anywhere in the U.S. Even Munich can't come close to rivaling the night life that Madrid has to offer. With that said you will have to be disciplined enough to finish your course work before hitting the clubs or bars. This is an intensive course. But when it's over you'll have every weekend to explore all that the city has to offer. TtMadird is definitely the right decision for the complete TEFL experience.
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Grover Francis
25
Texas, USA
Hi, my name is Grover Francis and I’m originally from Houston, Texas. Being a TOEFL certified English teacher gives us opportunities that some people only dream about. Opportunities to see almost the entire world and make a decent living doing it.
After completing my certification course in Madrid with Natasha and Senida and working for around five months there also, I decided to take advantage of the demand for English teachers in the world. Since I already knew some people from Lithuania, I decided I would give it a shot, and moved to the capital city of Vilnius. And I have to say that I have enjoyed every minute. Learning a new culture and-very slowly and with much patience-trying to learn another language, these are all things I have always wanted to do.
Demand for native speakers is high everywhere, but especially in places that aren't your typical European travel spots for us natives. This being the case, I was able to find a lot of work in no time at all.
And thanks to my training with Natasha and Co., I know I am a good teacher and that my students will learn, something very important to me. I hope everyone of you will think about the "less beaten path" areas of the world to live and teach, and give them a shot, but if not, Madrid isn’t a bad place to be at all!
Lindale Banks
USA
38
Educational Background:
English Writing, Missouri Western State University.
Work history:
5 Years University of Kansas in Research Compliance
2 Years Broadcating
20+ As a writer
What you are doing now?
Working in Companies such as General Electric, Endesa, Arkema, Respsol, Caja Madrid and many more.
Comments:
My TEFL Experience has been great. It has given me the chance to meet so many exciting people from all over the world. It always brings me joy to see the students learning and their faces shining when they see me. My experinces here in Madrid has also enhanced my skills as a writer. I am sure I have broken down many barriers and stereotypes being African-American and teaching abroad. I feel quite proud to be a teacher and have gotten my TEFL at TtMadrid.
Taggart Read Davis
25
Philadelphia, USA
Educational Background:
BA Spanish Literature, University of Montana, graduated 2005.
Work history:
English Teacher – Madrid
Hostel Manager – Chile
Waiter and Kitchen Manager – America
Summer 2002 (summer job whilst at university)
Spanish Tutor – America
What you are doing now?
Currently I'm tending bar in an Irish pub called The Irish Embassy and teaching private English classes in Krakow, Poland
Comments:
The course at TtMadrid was exceptional, especially after hearing what other teachers have to say about their TEFL courses at other schools. I felt very prepared for teaching having already taught quite a few hours on the course. I also received plenty of attention whenever I had a problem, both during the course and after it was finished. With the help of TtMadrid I found myself employed right off the bat.
Madrid is a fun city and a comfortable place to live, perhaps not as glamorous as Barcalona, it isn't as pretensious either. It is a place where you have everything at your finger tips any hour of the day or night, except during siesta, a nice time to have a cheap tasty coffee in one of the plethora of cafes if you are not working. Unfortunately Spanish weather was too nice for this warm-blooded creature so I moved up to chilly, snow-clad Krakow, also a lovely place with tasty soups and vodkas.
Lisa Rose
46
USA
Educational Background:
BA Degree, History
Work history:
12 years tilelayer, comercial and residental construction. 2 years Job Developer for non profit agency that trained and placed women in non traditional employment.
8 years manager of non profit project that recruited, assisted, placed, and provided follow-up services to women, people of color, and disadvantaged job seekers in apprenticeship programs in the construction trades. Primary responsibilities included day to day project management, acting as a liason between governmental organizations, labor unions, community based organizations, and private enterprise, client assistance.
What you are doing now?
Training Express, telephone classes.
Comments:
The course at TtMadrid was excellent. It was difficult and very demanding, but very rewarding. I learned a lot about the English language, teaching, people, and different learning styles. I am very glad I chose TtMadrid; the quality of the course was excellent and the support during and after the course unbelievable.
After living in Madrid for a year I returned to Cádiz, where I had lived before. I appreciated Madrid, but preferred a smaller city on the coast. Thanks to connections through TtMadrid with an agency that does telephone classes, I am able to make a living in Cádiz where there isn’t a lot of work. Spain is a wonderful country and Cádiz, because of the many beautiful plazas, the beaches, the people, and the incredible fish and seafood, is the perfect Spanish city for me.
Lindsey Lambert
24
Michigan, USA
Educational Background:
Bacherlor of Arts from Western Michigan University where I studied Communication.
Work history:
Summer Camp Counselor, Waitress and Marketing Representative
What you are doing now?
Teaching English in Madrid for Expansion Exterior, Repsol YPF and Silver Eagle. The agencies I'm working through are FYNE, English Corporate and Blue Planet English.
Comments:
I enjoyed my course at TtMadrid because of how much it challenged me and more so, because of how much I learned. I apply what I've learned fromm this course to my teaching every single day and I am a better teacher because of it. The trainers invest so much time into making sure each trainee does well during the course and throughout the course the students develop a network that is valuable long after the course is finished. I love teaching and working here in Madrid. TtMadrid had a very big part in making my adjustment from the United States to Spain a pleasant experience.
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Want to find out more about us? Visit the TtMadrid or AIL Madrid websites.
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