English teachers make up 85% of English Systems' classes, but they also provide companies with teachers of other languages such as Spanish, German, Italian and French. One of their main language services is Business Seminars and Specific Skills Seminars, as well as Intensive Languge Immersions, where they use specialized trainers and other professionals to teach them.

Language center: English Systems.

Webpage: http://www.english-systems.es.

Date updated: March 1, 2007.

When did language center open? 1987.

Contact phone: 914579222.

Contact information: send CV via email or call contact number to arrange an interview.

Person: Conchi Sanchez/Marisa Alonso as contact persons.

Email: conchi.sanchez@english-systems.es, info@english-systems.es.

Address:
Alberto Alcocer, 32-1
28036 - Madrid.
Google Maps

English Systems is an 8 to 10-minute walk from either Metro Cuzco or Colombia.

Facilities and classrooms: Most classes are held in companies, but there are 4 classrooms on-site. See the photos.

Have good materials support, photocopier?
The teachers are provided with all the materials that they need for their classes. When I visited them, they were in the process of updating and organizing their materials and book inventory. Most of the materials were out being used by teachers for their classes. There are two photocopiers.

Usually, an initial needs analysis of the clients by the coordinator of studies is followed by a "diagnosis" and a "prescription." The agency then provides the teachers with those materials that they will need for their particular students' programs.

Have "Director of Studies" (DOS) support?
Yes.

VIPs on staff?
Richard Hunter and James Duggan of the Madrid Players.

Qualification requirements for employment?
Any TEFL certificate.

Experience requirements for employment?
They prefer two years of experience. They will accept one year of experience if your cv includes business experience.

Teachers have to prepare a lesson plan and teach a sample class. Also, English Systems does quality controls on a term basis (three terms per year). Also once per term, teachers are observed in their classses and students fill out an evaluation form on teachers. There is constant communication with the corporations' Human Resource departments.

Hire at a distance?
No. Will only hire after a face-to-face interview.

Hire Americans and do their papers?
Have rarely done so, but it is taking place with a couple of teachers at the moment. The process takes up to a year and is mostly carried out by their "Gestoría," or a type of company which handles bureaucratic paperwork, etc. with the Spanish government.

Preference for British or Americans?
None. There's no preference for any nationality. They hire natives and perfect bilinguals.

Estimated teachers hired yearly: It's hard to say for sure because English Systems hires based on demand, but there are usually 20-40 teachers hired every year. Many of the teachers in English Systems are freelancers who don't necessarily teach all of their classes here.

Teachers at English Systems for over 4 years?
35-40.

Number of students: 1,800 to 2,000 including their Language-Line telephone English classes.

Best part about working at English Systems:
English Systems treats their teachers well and will work for them whether they need substitutions or guidance. They are very interested in keeping them loyal as they value their roster very highly. "The teachers are our image. We don't send in just anybody. We have earned a prestige and we'd like to keep it that way." As such, they don't usually hire the backpacker student types who are just here for a year to study Spanish.

Other benefits?
English Systems has get togethers now and then: wine and cheese, Christmas parties, etc. They treat them as human beings and don't make false promises such as block hours. Though they have a large pool of teachers, they know all of them on a first-name basis.

Offer teacher training or development along with job?
New teachers have training right away. Last Spring they had training sessions every Friday. At the moment, they have training sessions bi-monthly.

Starters' average salary?
Excellent conditions offered, the more experience you have, the better the rate of pay, for contract or "autónomo."