Spain - Should I Au Pair or teach English as a teacher?

Question

Has anyone done either? I am moving to Madrid In September and still cant decide whether to Au Pair and live with a family or be an English teacher and live in a shared apartment with other teachers. I need to keep costs down and accumulate no money debts if possible. My main reason for travelling is to learn Spanish and experience the culture. Has anyone done this or can you advise. Thanks!

Answer 1

I would be an English teacher, taking care of your own kids is tough enough why would you want to take care of someone else's? As a teacher you will have an immediate network of friends to go out with and explore the country. You probably get paid better and for sure have less responsibility.

Answer 2

Au pair work is often low paid but is more available than teaching work, To teach english I pressume you at least have the tefl qualification, There are a couple of websites you can register with for nannying and au pair work. A freind of mine did this  she had a good deal with the family where she had set hours and a couple exrta the odd weekend, when she had spare time she also did private english tuition at peoples homes also worked in the school with some of the children as the children she looked after were in school or nursery at least a couple of days a week, Just remember that the schools in spain have between 10 and 12 weeks off school during summer so not much chance to do anything while the parents are working. Do a google search on nanny and au pair in spain you will find sites with lots of families looking for people all around spain although some do ask for specifics such as age and languages although others are just after someone who is caring and worked with children in the past. I sis a similar search when we moved to spain