I would like to study to become a Life Coach, but I wish to do this in
Spain as I intend to be settling down there.  Is there any accredited
organization in Spain where I can do this or if not, is it possible
for me to do distance learning with face to face visits, say, once a
month in the country where the course is being run?

Hi beccy:

Thanks for the interesting question. 

There are not currently any ICF (International Coaching Federation)
accredited coaching programmes available in Spain. However, there are
a handful of training institutions that offer certification courses
that you can take over the phone while you are living in Spain.

The ICF has an excellent overview of the programmes available at all
their accredited schools at:

ICF Accredited Coach Training Programs (ACTPs)
http://www.coachfederation.org/training/programs.htm

I have listed below the schools that I think best suit your needs. For
more contact and program details, see the synopses at the ICF page
above. As well, visit the individual websites of the schools.


Coach U
*******

Website  www.coachu.com 

How do you conduct your training: Primarily virtually via Tele-classes
that are on bridge lines. The calls are made from the convenience of
your home or office. Classes have no more than 22 people per class
calling in from around the world. The classes are lead by trained
TeleClass Leaders, who combine class interaction and role-plays to
help develop the finest coaches in the world.

Do you offer courses outside of your home-town?: Since we use "bridge
technology" we are conducting over 500 hours of training per month,
reaching people in over 36 countries around the world. Students begin
with basic coaching skills, using role-plays combined with student
interaction, lead by skilled TeleClass leaders who are already
successful coaches. Students then advance to deeper subjects including
over 40 hours devoted to practice development.


Coaches Training Institute, The (CTI)
*************************************

Website  www.thecoaches.com 

How do you conduct your training: Five 3-day courses are conducted in
person (in various metropolitan centers throughout the US, Canada and
UK). Size is limited to 26 people. CTI's certification program is
conducted by teleclass, with class sizes limited to 8 participants.

Do you offer courses outside of your home-town?: Yes. We offer classes
in major centers throughout the US, Canada and the UK.


Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT)
****************************************

Website  www.LifeCoachTraining.com  

How do you conduct your training: Primarily by teleclasses.
Foundational Course is 30 hours by phone class. Advanced classes range
from 4-20 hours and can be taken as electives. We do sponsor live
trainings from time to time.

Do you offer courses outside of your home-town?: All Training is by
teleclass (telephone conference calls)


Coach For Life
**************

Website  www.coachforlife.com 

How do you conduct your training: Coach For Life offers The Masters
Coaching Program™. This Program is made up of 2 fully integrated
parts. In Part I, we offer a 5-day Comprehensive Coaching Course in
groups of 6 to 12 participants in a "Comfortable living room" setting
- This part of the Program earns 50 Student Contact Learning Hours
towards ICF certification. Part II is a 12 week Tele-Conference Course
- The Creation Coaching Course. This part of the Program earns an
additional 50 Student Contact Learning Hours towards ICF
certification. The Program takes 13 weeks to complete and offers a
total of 100 Student Contact Learning Hours towards ICF certification.

Do you offer courses outside of your home-town?: Yes, currently being
offered in San Diego, CA; Portland, OR; Wash., DC; Minn/St. Paul, MN.,
New Zealand.


Corporate Coach U International (CCUI)
**************************************

Website  www.ccui.com 

How do you conduct your training: Primarily Tele-classes, some in
person. Our training is comprehensive and includes 15 modules and 125
hours of basic to advanced corporate and business coaching skills
development. The program includes foundational modules, modules on
practice development, and special business topics modules to fully
support our students' being successful, whether they aspire to be
internal or external coaches to organizations. Teleclasses are led by
senior level coaches experienced in corporate in business coaching.
There is a full written curriculum to support the Tele-class learning
experience.

Do you offer courses outside of your home-town?: Yes. We are
completely virtual.


I hope that this information has been of help in your search.
                 
If you need any clarification of the information I have provided,
please ask using the Clarification feature and provide me with
additional details as to what you are looking for. As well, please
allow me to provide you with clarification(s) *before* you rate this
answer.
                      
Thank you.                       
                      
websearcher-ga                      
                      
                    
Search Strategy (on Google):               
 
"life coach" training
"life coach"
"life coach" spain

---

Request for Answer Clarification by beccy-ga on 15 Feb 2003 11:25 PST

Thanks for the response!  I had pretty much looked into the Coaching
Federation's website myself, so was aware of its' existance.
I am undertaking a month TEFL course in Barcelona with the plan to
teach Business English.
I'd REALLY appreciate some feedback as to whether it'll be possible
for me to link in Coaching skills with Business English, once I start
studying a Coaching Course of course!  As stated, my particular
interest lies in Spain so it's really whether Coaching has 'taken off'
there.

Many thanks!

---

Clarification of Answer by websearcher-ga on 15 Feb 2003 11:57 PST

Hello beccy:

Thanks for the clarification request. 

I am sorry that the information in my previous post was already known
to you - I was unaware that you had done any previous research.

As for your more recent questions, my previous searching - and some
more I've just done - doesn't lead me to believe that Life Coaching
has "taken off" in Spain at this time. I was able to find a couple of
Life Coaches (based in other European countries) that had client(s) in
Spain - but I seriously doubt that there will be a ready-made market
for in-person life coaching in Spain in the near future.

Having said that, it appeared to me that many of the practicing Life
Coaches (especially those based in EU) seem to do much (if not most)
of their coaching over the phone or internet. This is a market you
could tap into from anywhere (including Spain).

As for combining "Business English" with Life Coaching, I think that
those two professions/services go together quite well. I was unable to
find any specific examples of other professionals who were teaching
those two thing together. Perhaps you could create a Business English
client-base, and then "sell" them on the idea of adding Life Coaching
to the mix. That would allow you to build a clientele while getting
your Life Coach certification. That would be my best advice.

I apologize again that there wasn't any more concrete
evidence/information that I was able to find on the Internet about
your unique idea. Please feel free to rate this answer appropriately
if you are unsatisfied.

Thanks!

websearcher-ga

Although I had already found the website mentioned in the first
response, I found the information and, most importantly, the ADVISE
passed on from the researcher to be extremely positive and helpful! 
It has encouraged me and convinced me that I am doing the right
thing/taking the right course of action in my life!

Many thanks and I will DEFINATELY be using this service again!