An excellent experience.

I had a fantastic time living and teaching in Valencia, a great place to teach English.

The city is not as big or touristy as Madrid or Barcelona but it's large enough to be a happening place with lots of lively bars, sights to see and has its own distinctive character. Notably, there's a verdant river which snakes its way through the city where you can go for a bike ride, a relaxing walk or a look at the futuristic Calatrava buildings.

I taught at the school for one month and witnessed the transition to the new academy. The new school is a pleasure to work in: it's rather large, clean, spacious, has a fridge, proper amenities and it's kitted out with whiteboards, teaching materials and pens. Also the students love the new environment.

Alyx and Paul who run the school are very nice, professional and helpful. They provide you with the lesson plans a few days before teaching which gives you plenty of time to prepare. Alyx and Paul don't interfere with your lessons so it's very much up to you how you teach. I completed the CELTA course before coming to Valencia so I came equipped with all the worthwhile teaching techniques and tips so the independence I had at the academy really suited me.

Most of all, the best thing about the academy are the students. Every one of them was hard-working, very friendly and respectful. There's a diverse mix of ages, levels and nationalities which really adds to the experience. There are some funny characters who come to the classes which kept me entertained.

Furthermore, the accommodation is very good. I lived by the port which was fantastic as I was only 5-10 minutes away from the beach and not too far from the nearest metro stop which takes you directly to the school.

Also, the social scene in Valencia is pretty good with regular intercambio (language exchange) events which are held in different bars, cafes and clubs across the city. I recommend Tandem, a group which hosts such events. Details can be found on their Facebook page.

Thoroughly recommended for anyone who's completed a CELTA course and wants some short term work (and doesn't mind paying a reasonable amount).