Why take a Cambridge ESOL course abroad ?
The ultimate goal of many candidates is to live and work abroad. Many have already done so. Taking the course itself abroad has the double advantage of giving you an authentic taste of life overseas and being 'on the spot' to try to look for work when the course is completed. Furthermore, the total cost of Cambridge ESOL courses abroad, including accommodation and flights, is comparable to any centre in Britain or the USA.
What are the dates and prices and how can I apply?
You can find a link to all dates and prices located on the top menu of the home page.
How do I get to Seville?
From Great Britain there are daily direct flights from London Stansted and Liverpool with Ryanair and the Spanish airline Clickair from London Gatwick. If you want, we can meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation, although there is a charge for this service. Flying to Málaga. Madrid or Faro (Portugal) is also possible, followed by a bus or train to Seville (these run on a very regular basis). The high-speed train (AVE) takes only 2 hours 20' from Madrid. There are reductions on Spanish trains for young people under 26. Long-haul flights from the USA, Australasia and elsewhere invariably go to Madrid.
Where will I live?
Please see the 'Accommodation' section. What is Seville like?
Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Spain. It is world-renowned for its history and traditions such as flamenco dancing , and for its music, rhythm, colour and light. In addition to a wealth of history, the heritage of centuries of Moorish, Jewish and Christian cultures, Seville is a modern city with 700,000 inhabitants, a vibrant street-life and nightlife and a good offer of international culture year-round. Life in Seville is relaxed and the people are warm and welcoming. What will the weather be like?
Seville has more than 3,000 hours of sun a year. Winters are short and mild and temperatures seldom drop below 10º C. Temperatures start to rise from mid-February to between 15-25º in March, April and May and remain pleasant until mid June. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures may exceed 40ºC. What rain there is tends to be in Autumn and Spring. How much money do I need?
Spain is considerably cheaper than many countries that our candidates come from. For example, breakfast in a bar will cost between 1.50- 2.50 (Euros), and many restaurants offer a 3-course 'menu del día', (menu of the day) including coffee or sweet for around 7 euros. A glass of beer (more than half a pint) costs around just over a Euro. We can look after your money and valuables, if you are worried, and money can always be sent to you via our school account.
What do I need to bring with me?
We will provide you with a file and paper to start the course. Card, scissors, tippex and glue will also be available, though you should also bring your own for working at home. Stationery is quite cheap in Spain. Dictionaries and some methodology books will also be available. On acceptance for a course, we will send you a recommended booklist. The books marked 'essential' from the booklist can be bought at our specialist bookshop, though you may wish to order them before you arrive. We would also suggest that you bring some personal items such as photos of family and home town, and local tourist brochures which can be very useful for preparing classes. Can I prepare myself for the course in any way?
On successfully passing the interview you will be sent a 'Pre-course Learning Task'. This is a comprehensive introduction to your course, designed for self-study. Going through this thoroughly before the course is sufficient grounding in this area. In addition, you should dip into one or more of the 'essential' methodology books on the Reading List. What are my chances of finding work after the course?
The chances of finding work locally depends very much on the time of year. Seville is very popular, and so is Spain for ELT work, but we will try our best to put you in contact with local schools and provide written or telephone references and lots of help and advice (see Job Market section.) Of course, we do not in any way guarantee that jobs will be available locally; this is beyond our control. What are the chances of finding work without a European Union (EU) passport?
With the advent of EU passport agreements it became easier for EU residents to find legal work elsewhere in Europe, but consequently more difficult for non-EU residents.
However, despite the difficulties, many non-EU residents manage to find teaching jobs all over Europe, often without legal papers, under similar conditions but with the necessity of taking out their own medical insurance policies. Can I combine a Teacher Training with a Spanish language course?
Yes, you can, but not at the same time as a Cambridge ESOL courses need total dedication. You could take a Spanish course before your training course, or tag one on after. Anyone who enrols on a Teacher Training course with us is entitled to a 10% discount on a Spanish language course. Please, refer to the included Spanish course web pages and price list. It can be a wonderful way of learning to look at things from a student's perspective and witness some language teaching in action. See the section on 3 course special package.
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