Spain

The taste of exotic tapas, the lure of siestas, the sing-song chant of ¡Allí, allí! from Spaniards cheering on their local football team, the relaxation from passing time sipping wine in a thousand year old plaza… It’s no wonder that Spain is the second most visited country in the world, right after its ever popular neighbor, France. This also means that Spain is a highly sought after destination for expats and not a bad place to spend a year, or two, or forever. The country is definitely doing something right, especially since statistics show that Spanish people have one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world at 84 years of age! History & Culture Spain has an incredibly diverse culture due to its long, varied history of peoples who have ruled and made their mark on the country from the Romans to the Moors to the more recent years of Francisco Franco. This has also bled into the languages spoken in Spain today. With Castilian being the official language, 6 of the 17 autonomous regions have co-official languages such as Catalan, Gallego, and Euskera to name a few. Spain is also home to many immigrants from other EU countries, Latin America, Morocco, and Sub-Saharan Africa and to Romani (or Gitanos) which also add to its flair and cultural diversity. Climate & Landscape Due to Spain’s geographic location, the country experiences a temperate climate throughout the year which is typical of the Mediterranean Sea’s influence. It’s rare to see snow in Spain but as some of…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications when it comes to teaching. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Spain. Education A bachelor’s degree is preferred by many schools in Spain, but it is not required. There is an exception for many of the Spanish teaching programs which require a degree. BEDA, ConversaSpain, Meddeas, North American Language and Culture Assistants (NALCAP), UCETAM: bachelor’s degree required UP International: bachelor’s degree preferred Citizenship European Union (EU) citizens are able to work legally in Spain. Non-EU citizens must find a way to work legally — student visa, marriage, or one of the teaching programs if eligible. Teaching programs: NALCAP: US and Canada BEDA, ConversaSpain, Meddeas, UCETAM, UP International: Native-level English speakers Private language schools: You must be a citizen of a native English speaking country or have a high level of English fluency in order to secure employment in Spain. English Fluency As mentioned above, there are no citizenship requirements to teach in Spain in private language schools. That being said, if English is not your first language you’ll still need to have a high fluency in English, and you might n…

As mentioned in our Overview section, Spain is the second most visited country in the world. With tourism comes a demand for English language learning and there are many opportunities throughout the country. Spain offers teaching positions in private language schools, bilingual schools, international schools, public schools, and as a private tutor. This also means that the ability to teach any age or English language proficiency level is possible from young children to adults or beginners to more advanced students. While there are ample opportunities, most English teachers are employed in private language schools or through a teaching program. Living and teaching in Spain is all about the cultural experience — do not expect to save money while teaching in this fascinating country. Most teachers make around 700 – 1300 Euro per month with the average cost of living being 900 to 2000 Euro per month depending on where you live and your lifestyle. You can save a little more by living outside of a city center and by choosing to live with roommates. Along with not living to work, Spaniards love their holidays. Did you know most of Europe takes a full month of vacation in August? What a life! That being said, hiring seasons are extremely important for Spain. The end of September and beginning of October is the first peak hiring season right after everyone is back from their beach vacations and ready to start the school year; the second being in January just after the holidays. It is …

Now that you’ve explored the job types available to you, it’s time to begin the application process. There are several steps to take to find a job teaching English in Spain, and we have them all outlined below. Heads up! For non-European Union (EU) citizens, be sure to check out our Teaching in Spain Timeline, as well as the Applying for the Visa section for more information and to make sure that you are staying on track with your documents. As most positions do not offer a work permit, you will be going over on a student visa, specific NALCAP visa, or working holiday visa (if you qualify) which have certain timelines before going abroad. For teaching programs, you typically apply approximately 10 months in advance and get a student visa or the specific visa for NALCAP. Because Spain’s Teaching Programs are operated with external standards and requirements, we can advise you on your resume and cover letter, as we would with any other positions, but we cannot advise on applications, or review statements of purpose or intent. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with schools and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended international standards, submit your draft to your Student Affairs Advisor for re…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position through one of the teaching programs, there’s not much else to consider besides whether or not you’ll accept the offer. If you’ve applied to work at a private language school, and you’ve followed our previous advice you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this decision, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics. Whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary The average starting salary for a first-year English teacher in Spain is 700 — 1,300 Euro per month depending on how many hours you are working and if you choose to pick up a second job or two to supplement your income. ITA graduate Lauren T. who worked for NALCAP says, “I work 12 hours a week and make 700 euros a month. This salary is enough to live off of, but I also give private classes at 15€/hr as a supplement to be able to save more.” Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with a low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying yo…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Spain, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for visas there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Spanish embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Ready? Vamos! First, figure out which visa you are eligible for. If you are an EU citizen or have the legal right to work in Spain, you do not need to apply for a visa. Visa Types Student Visa What is it? A visa that allows you to study in Spain. You can study the Spanish language or study for an actual degree (bachelors and higher) on this visa. Spanish law allows you to legally work up to 30 hours per week and you must be enrolled in at least 20 hours a week of class to qualify. How do you get one? You must be older than 18 and enrolled and accepted in a program or classes at a higher education establishment. You can no longer apply for a student visa from within Spain—you must now apply through the Spanish Consulate in your home country. The majority of teaching programs (minus NALCAP) offer their teachers a student visa. International TEFL Academy works with two Spanish language pr…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance/care. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. As mentioned in the Applying for the Visa section, health insurance is either provided by your teaching program (NALCAP) or is a requirement in order to obtain a student visa. If you hold EU citizenship, you already qualify for the national healthcare system once you register your residency. Savings & Banking In Spain, it may take up to six to eight weeks before you receive your first paycheck. Therefore, you’ll want to plan accordingly! We recommend having anywhere between 1375 to 1835 EUR in your bank account to tide you over until you get paid. Once you’ve started receiving paychecks fr…

You have finally made it to the end of the Spain section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous sections laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Spain. This timeline is not only for the planners and check-list lovers (although you will love this too). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Spain to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance with a Teaching Program Please keep in mind that each teaching program has an end of September/beginning of October and January start date. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible 10 months-1 year before departure: Begin your research & application process ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences __ Read through ITA’s resources, attend the Student Affairs webinar __ Network with ITA Alumni and watch Instagram takeovers, etc. __ Read about Spain and Spanish culture, etc. ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Spain, as well as six months after ___ Decide which teaching program(s) you are interested in applying for ___ Be aware of when applications open (November through January for the following fall) ___ Finalize your international resume and cover letter ___ Res…

My favorite part about living in Spain is that everyone is so laid back - they do their own thing and do what makes them happy. It really is a simple life compared to living in the States. It is by far the best decision I have ever made and it has completely changed my life! Brandi Nelson Barcelona, Spain I absolutely love living and teaching English in Alicante! I recently saw that the city was rated one of the cheapest/best places to live in the world. The cost of living here is really cheap compared to the United States. Since the city is fairly small, I don't even have a car. I walk everywhere that I need to go, and if I venture out more than walking distance, the city has a bus system, a tram, train station, and airport close by. Maggie J. Alicante, Spain I love the tapas culture here in Madrid. Wine and beer is so inexpensive and you get free tapas with every glass at most places. There is also this amazing concept here called ' del dia' which means 'Meal of the day'. It includes a starter, a main dish, a drink and a dessert - all in 10-12 euros. But it is only at lunch and only Monday to Friday. But you will not leave the table without your tummy full and heart super satisfied. Rhea B. Madrid, Spain