Before going to the school, I took a look at the website. It is extensive as far as the classes go. The academy has classes from general to business, personal to group, intensive to weekly. Test preparation, immersion, and telephone classes are some of the other types of classes offered.

One of the things that impressed me was the types of professional classes that have been developed such as work interview, email writing, or banking and finance. ALA is one of the only registered sites in Madrid where students can come and take the TOEFL or TOEIC language tests. Check the website listed below for more in-depth information. By the way, the website is only in Spanish. They are currently working on translation to English.

Classes are offered on-site mornings, evenings, and Saturday mornings. Most first year teachers are required to teach a Saturday morning class. The student core is mid-twenties to mid-thirties university students and professionals, but they also have a program for children and teenagers from ten to seventeen. The school year operates October – June with monthly schedules July – September. Teachers can expect to work 22 – 26 hours weekly on average. Part-time work is also available.

Academy:
American Language Academy

Webpage:
http://www.americanlanguage.es/

Date:
Jan. 22, 2008.

When did academy open?
1967.

Contact person and title:
Jeffrey Locey, Head Director of Studies.

Contact phone:
+34 914455511
+34 914455800

E-mail:
As always, candidates may send resume and request the application form at: efl@americanlanguage.es

Address:
C/ Rodriguez San Pedro, 2, 6th floor.
Google Maps
Closest Metro: San Bernardo.

Facilities and classrooms:
The main office is on the sixth floor along with the teacher material, computer lab, and video room. Classrooms are located on the second and third floors. They range from some of the larger classes up to seven students (academy maximum) with a conference room style to the small classrooms for one-to-one classes. Some of the classes are the typical teacher desk, wipe board, and students’ desks.

Seven computers are available for both students and teachers in the computer lab with internet connection. If it is ever too crowded, there are also six computers available for teachers only in the administration office. The video room is available for teachers as a supplemental material.



Have good materials support, photocopier?
The book materials are adequate for teachers. They were all nicely alphabetized. A large amount of novels were also available. Magazines such as Time and USA Today are standard subscriptions. A photocopier is available to the teachers for their use.

I was very impressed with the video collection. There are movies with subtitles, TV series, and documentaries used as teaching tools or available for the students to check out and take home.

Have "Director of Studies" (DOS) support?
The Director of Studies is supported by seven people in the administration department from secretarial staff to Assistant Directors of Studies.

VIPs on staff?
None at this time.

Qualification requirements for employment?
The applicant must be a native English speaker or speak English so well that a native English speaker cannot notice. Secondly, at minimum, a four year degree and a teaching certification (ex. – TEFL, CELTA) are required. Many of the teachers have a degree related to the teaching field, and several also have a Masters or are working towards one. Every applicant is given an initial review.

Experience requirements for employment?
Normally teachers have at least one year of working experience, and most that currently teach have at least three to four years experience. There have been exceptions in the past of employing teachers with no work experience. These teachers are guided through their classes until a comfort level has been achieved.

Hire at a distance?
American Language Academy does not hire at a distance. A face-to-face interview is required. I have not encountered an academy that will hire anyone without first having an in-person interview.

Hire Americans and do their papers?
Working papers are required before employment, but ALA will assist a teacher in getting their working papers. First, a face-to-face interview is required. If the interview is passed, the working papers are usually requested during June for the following October. The papers are normally processed by August. Applicants then go home during September to receive their papers from their home country. The teachers return to Madrid to begin teaching in October. This is a really good option for students that have been in Spain and want to teach, or someone that is currently is Spain that wants to teach.

Preference for British or Americans? Why?
Native English speakers are employed. Currently, teachers on staff are from Australia, Canada, Ireland, the US, and the UK. Most of the teachers are from North America.

Estimated teachers hired yearly:
The average number of teachers employed yearly is twenty to twenty-four. For hiring, the range can vary from year to year. For example, this year there will be three to four hired. In past years, the number has been as high as ten.

Teachers at American Language Academy for over 4 years?
About five teachers currently have over four years of experience teaching with ALA. There are approximately fifteen teachers with over four years of general teaching experience. That is quite a core of teachers!

Number of students:
For 2006, there are approximately 500 students with a little over 300 being on-site students and 200 being outside / company students.

Best part about working at American Language Academy:
New up-to-date resources are readily available to teachers. The teachers are supported by the administration and directors of studies. The teachers feel that they are fairly paid. If needed, a teacher can receive a salary advance if a month is a bit tight.

Other Benefits?
When classes are scheduled for a teacher, their living location and schedule preference are considered. For example, some teachers prefer to teach in the mornings so the administration will consider this when building a teacher’s schedule.



Offer teacher training or development along with job?
Teacher workshops are held twice monthly for one and a half hours with one begin mandatory.

Can teachers take language classes for free or for a discount?
Yes! Teachers are allowed to take Spanish classes for free.

Starters' average salary?
The minimum 1,100 euros per month take home. Medical insurance is included. Three weeks of paid vacation are also included – two weeks for Christmas and one week for Easter.