Academy: Windsor Idiomas

Webpage: http://www.windsor-idiomas.com/

Updated: August 29, 2008.

When did academy open? 1986.

Contact person and title: Roy Thompson, Business Unit Pedagogue.

Contact phone: 91 734 9706

E-mail: rthompson@windsor-idiomas.com

Address: C/Nuria 59, 2.
28034 – Madrid.
Google Maps (Google Maps Photos)
Located on 2nd floor of a shopping centre called "Centro Mirasierra."
Also, there's a new office based more centrally in the Cuzco area of Madrid at: C/General Yagüe 6, Local 5. Google maps

Windsor Idiomas is an academy located on the second floor of a shopping-center in a well-to-do neighborhood located on the north side of Madrid. The neighbourhood is called Mirasierra because of its splendid view of the Sierra of Madrid. You need to take the Metro to Herrera Oria (not nearby Metro Fuencarral as there is a highway blocking access to the neighbourhood) and walk 15 minutes from there. There are complete instructions on their site.

Facilities and classrooms: Windsor Idiomas is in a relatively new building and the 9 classrooms are modern, well-lit and well-decorated. The views from most of the classrooms are spectacular. All 9 classrooms in the academy are fitted with interactive whiteboards and Windsor's own interactive material is currently being developed.

Have good materials support, photocopier? Yes. They have very many books and materials and two photocopiers. Also there is a computer room with an internet connection for the teachers to use, which is in the process of being expanded on to 5 computers (the places are there for the computers, but there are currently 2).

Have "Director of Studies" (DOS) support?
Yes. There are several DOSes.

VIPs on staff? No.

Qualification requirements for employment? Windsor Idiomas requires a TEFL certificate and that the teacher be legal here. However, the company is also interested in teachers who have an ability to think on their feet as well as in teachers who are “innovators,” “pushers,” and otherwise manifest some form of “initiative.” When they have a teacher with a fantastic outstanding CV (résumé), they always look to develop that teacher into a higher level position such as team leader or coordinator. Windsor Idiomas is a demanding school which insists on the teachers pushing their students to improve. Though the teachers laugh and have fun in the school and the school is not at all dictatorial, it does require that its teachers apply the basics in their classrooms.

Experience requirements for employment? One year minimum of experience.

Hire at a distance?
Yes. The Director of Human Resources has recruited at a distance either from recommendations or after interviews via Skype with a webcam.

Hire Americans and do their papers? Windsor Idiomas has done working-permit papers for exceptional teachers in the past.

Preference for British or Americans?
Windsor Idiomas does take on non-natives as long as they’re bilingual. Also, this agency offers many other language classes such as Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc.

Estimated teachers hired yearly: 20.

Teachers at Windsor Idiomas for over 4 years?
Five. Fifteen have been there for over 3 years. They retain a lot of teachers – 40 teachers continued from last year.

Number of students: There are 500 in the academy and 300 in companies.

Best part about working at Windsor Idiomas:
Windsor Idiomas seems to have an organizational infrastructure with a complex rational division of functions more in line with U.S. and U.K. corporations than with the two or three-tier hierarchy common in agencies and academies in Madrid. For example, each section (company, juniors, seniors, exams, etc.) has a team leader based at the school. As such, there are more opportunities for professional advancement for those who are ambitious for such things. (The two owners are qualified professional teachers and they all also have professional management experience in companies in the U.K.)

Other benefits?
The teacher training program is better than many making Windsor Idiomas an excellent option for English teachers who wish to continue to become better teachers. An important role in the Business Unit is that of the Pedagogue. This role is fundamental in ensuring that all teachers receive the guidance and training they need to be able to impart effective classes in companies.

Offer teacher training or development along with job?
Yes. Windsor Idiomas has a good internal teacher training program.

Starters' average salary?
Beginning teachers get paid between 15.00 and 18 euros per hour. Windsor pays 21-24 euros/hour for autonomos. The company also makes an effort to block hours for the teachers.