ASTEX Language Agency in Madrid and Spain.

ASTEX Servicios Linguisticos, founded in 1986, is one of the oldest and most reputable language training companies in Spain. ASTEX has become so well-known in language circles that it now provides language classes for some of Spain's most important corporations, such as BBVA, UBS, BNP PARIBAS (all in the banking sector), plus car manufacturers, real estate corporations, law offices, etc. This means that Astex can offer plenty of teaching hours to its teachers.

    

ASTEX employs a staff of certified EFL teachers with diverse backgrounds (the better to match teachers with clients). Once a teacher is hired, the company invests time and energy in helping them progress in the profession by offering continuous professional training. The salary is competitive, and because of sheer volume (1,000 groups last year, about 300 teachers), you can be sure that you'll get as many hours as you can handle. ASTEX concentrates on small groups and one-to-one classes usually at companies or private homes, the vast majority of which are centrally based around Zone A of the bus/metro network. One really good thing about Astex is that they highly respect professionals in this business, so if you are thinking of doing more than just teaching in the future, this company does offer possibilities of promotion. (Updated Jan. 25, 2007.)

About ASTEX

Astex, a language academy in Madrid, Spain, is looking for TEFL/CELTA-qualified native English speakers with experience to teach Business English classes in companies. Must have EU status or permission to work in Spain. Qualified candidates please email your CV to cnieto@astex.es.

Astex is now hiring English teachers. General Information: Agency: ASTEX Website: Astex English Agency http://www.astex.es Google Maps Update: April 21, 2008. When did the agency open? 1986.        Contact person and title: Carmen Nieto (DOS) Contact phone: (00 34) 91 590 49 21. E-mail: cnieto@astex.es. Address: C/Hermanos Bécquer, 7 - 6 Piso 28006 - Madrid, Spain. A five minute walk North from Metro Ruben Dario, just up the way from the U.S. Embassy.        Facilities and classrooms: ASTEX isn't an academy, but they do have 12 classrooms on-site and they do have lunch-time classes there, though they always try to do the classes in-company. Also, a new training center has recently opened in Calle Velázquez. Have good materials support, photocopier? Four computers with ADSL (broadband) connections, WIFI in our office, printing and photocopying facilities, a reference library of textbooks and supplementary material for general / business / exam English.        Have "Director of Studies" support? Yes. They have 5 DOSes and they're also experimenting with a mentoring programme this year. VIPs on staff? David Warner, course designer for companies such as BBVA or FERROVIAL. Susan Taylor, who has written a number of books on translating.

Employment Information: How many teachers do they hire per year? ASTEX hires about 30 to 40 teachers per year.        Qualification requirements for employment? Ideally, the candidate should have a degree and TEFL certificate though the reality of the situation is that they often accept candidates without either of these. Good social skills are often seen as just as important in an in-company class.        Experience requirements for employment? Again, "ideally" 2 years of teaching experience. Hire at a distance? No. They'll want to talk to you face-to-face. Hire Americans and do their papers? Used to, but just about all of the applications were rejected by the authorities.        Preference for British or Americans? None apparently.        Best part about working at ASTEX? Apart from the obligatory orientation sessions, ASTEX offers about 2 workshops per month which include topics for both beginners and experienced teachers. Offer teacher training or development along with job? Several workshops along the year on specific topics.        Starters' average salary? Teachers at ASTEX are either on a contract or freelance ("autónomos"). Beginner teachers on a contract are offered €17 gross per hour and more experienced teachers are offered €17 gross per hour as a starting hourly rate. Some teachers are offered a "guaranteed" full-time 80 hour/month contract. Freelance teachers are offered €22-23 gross per hour as a starting rate (although "autónomos" pay their own taxes and medical), but the average rate for experienced autónomos is a lot higher.

The TEFL Jobs Recruitment Process - by ASTEX:

David Warner (Director de SERVICIOS LINGÜÍSTICOS ASTEX) and Nicole Escario (Director of Studies of ASTEX) answer questions about the TEFL jobs recruitment process, such as: "Is a TEFL course necessary? Does ASTEX prefer one certifcate over another? What characteristics is ASTEX looking for in a new English teacher?"

Job / Employment position: Business English teacher

Nov. 18 update: ASTEX is looking for teachers in the Rozas / Pozuelo and Aravaca areas. Availability: afternoons. Types of classes: children and teenagers.

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