By Francesca Bowdery

I’m Francesca and I have just completed the 4 week TrinityCert Tesol course at TEFL in Spain – Málaga Lenguas. There is no doubt that the course is hard but in one month it qualifies you to be able to teach real students in Spain, and of course worldwide. First of all, why should I come to Malaga?

1. Malaga is known to be the sunniest city in Europe

What could be better we have over 300 Sunny days a year. The lowest annual temperature is 12 degrees. If you’re looking to complete a TEFL course why not do it somewhere warm? Instead of facing the grey and bitterly cold British winter I decided to pack my bags and move to Spain and I haven’t regretted it since.

2. There are lots of other places to visit

Once you have settled in Malaga you are in easy distance of plenty of other cities in Andalusia. For example, you can take a trip to Cordoba, Sevilla or Granada. Malaga has plenty of public transport options where you can catch trains and buses to all over Spain. If you visit Cordoba in the winter it is quite a lot colder than Malaga so wrap up warm. There is also Sierra Nevada where you can see the sun, snow and the sea all in one day. If you fancy being close to the beach in the summer and being able to ski in the winter, then Malaga is the perfect destination for you.

3. Malaga has a lot of work for English teachers

This means that after completing the TEFL course there will be no shortage of jobs. There are always job advertisements being posted on the TEFL in Spain Facebook page. For TEFL in Spain graduates there is a careers service which helps you during the 4 weeks and beyond to develop a foundation in order to be successful in the job market. Input sessions on the course include CV writing & interview preparation to help you find work in your preferred location. The careers service includes help with essential documents such as residency permits and social security numbers. Most importantly, to work in Spain you need to have an NIE which is your identification number in Spain. This can be obtained at the local immigration office.  At the end of the course TEFL in Spain will present you with an official letter of recommendation and will act as referees for you when applying to jobs.

4. Living costs in Malaga are very cheap in comparison to northern Europe

You can rent a room here for about 150-200 euros a month and rent a whole flat from 300-500 euros a month (long-term). The best websites to look for accommodation are Idealista, Fotocasa and Easypiso. Also, if you choose to complete your training at TEFL in Spain / Málaga Lenguas they also provide help with accommodation for their trainees.

5. Malaga is an amazing city

At the weekends you can enjoy tapas in the city centre or a merienda in one of the city’s cafes that offer the local treat of churros and chocolate sauce.  There are bars and restaurants suitable for everyone’s taste and a decent amount of clubs for those that like to party.  Due to the city’s proximity to the beach, a walk by the sea at the weekend comes as a pleasant change to the hustle and bustle of city life.

6. You can learn Spanish

Once you are working in Spain, it is extremely important to have at least a basic knowledge of Spanish to understand the culture and enrich your experience of living in Spain. A working knowledge of Spanish can help you anticipate the mistakes that your students make in your lessons . Why not come to Malaga and learn Spanish before and/or after completing the 4 week course? TEFL in Spain / Malaga Lenguas offer intensive courses, summer courses as well as private classes that are available to take before the course begins or after you have completed it. Click here to find out more.