Spain offers the ideal backdrop for an international teaching experience. The Spanish culture, history, language, scenery, and food are all reasons teaching English in Spain is a good idea! If you can imagine yourself meandering the streets of Barcelona and taking in the magnificent Sagrada Familia, or munching on tapas in a chic Madrid bar-restaurante, Spain is just the place for you.
Spain will leave you stunned from coast to coast and everywhere in between.
As a country which places a high value on education, becoming a teacher in Spain is a rewarding experience; new friends, new adventures, and new opportunities await you in España!
Is teaching English in Spain a good idea?
Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain has a dynamic history, with centuries-old landmarks like La Alhambra that will captivate and inspire travelers. There’s also plenty of modern appeal, with The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and the modern Guggenheim Museum Bilbao drawing millions of visitors each year. In short, you’ll have no trouble finding something to do during your free time teaching English in Spain!
One reason that Spain is a top TEFL job market is that the demand for English language instruction is high. With an economy reliant on sectors like tourism, hospitality, and international trade, many jobs in Spain require English skills. In turn, Spaniards invest considerable time, energy, and money into learning English to enhance their professional and educational opportunities.
It’s important to note that although teaching English in Spain is a good idea for a multitude of reasons, the experience looks a bit different than similar opportunities in other countries. With a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL teaching certificate, you’ll be well on your way to securing a job—but you may find the best opportunities are private tutoring positions or multiple part-time gigs.
Additionally, many international English teachers in Spain work for multiple employers, instead of a full-time position with one employer. This means you’ll have to be driven to find enough gigs to sustain your lifestyle in Spain if a part-time position doesn’t bring in enough income for you.
Some English teachers also find that it’s easier to get a job after arriving in the country. If you’re not a citizen of the EU, an opportunity working through a government program or on a student visa may be the best option for you.
To help you get started, we recommend this cool Guide to Teaching English in Spain from International TEFL Academy!
Can I teach English in Spain without a degree?
If you have an accredited TEFL certificate and a little experience, you might be set.
Teaching English in Spain without a degree is possible, if you’ve met other requirements. You’ll need a teaching certificate and any applicable teaching experience will go a long way! Getting TEFL certified through an organization like International TEFL Academy is a great first step.
A knowledge of the Spanish language could also give you a leg up when competing with other potential candidates. Without a degree, you can still teach English in Spain, but you’ll want to make sure to strengthen your resume as much as possible with the experience you already have.
How much do English teachers in Spain make?
As an English teacher in Spain, you can expect to make a modest salary of $800-$1,250 USD per month, depending on whether you’re teaching through a government program, as a private tutor, or even online.
When considering teaching English in Spain, estimate what your expected expenses will be and create a budget. It will be important to account for any start up costs when moving internationally (up to $2,500 USD), monthly expenditures, and the cost of any activities you’d like to take part in while there.
The cost of living in Spain depends largely on where you’re located; cities will inherently be more expensive, but you should be able to live well, albeit modestly, on a Spanish teaching salary.
If you take on extra tutoring or part-time work, you may be able to save money each month. Just don’t forget to give yourself time to enjoy the culture you came to experience! Nothing beats a Spanish siesta (or fiesta, right?).
Teaching English in Spain with no experience—is it possible?
No experience? No problem. A TEFL certificate will get you into shape!
If you don’t have experience teaching, but dream of living and working in Spain as an English teacher, you’ll first want to obtain an accredited TEFL certification, like those offered by the International TEFL Academy.
Most TEFL programs come with hands-on instruction and live practice teaching. Spanish educational institutions usually require that you’ve completed one of these programs, or highly prefer them to other experience.
If you don’t travel to Spain with a job secured through a government program, you’ll most likely have to wait until you get there to find employment. It’s uncommon for schools, public or private, to sponsor teachers outside of the EU.
A TEFL certificate is a great way to network and lay the groundwork for finding a teaching position once settled in Spain.
What do I need to teach English in Spain?
To be fully prepared to teach abroad in Spain you’ll want to make sure you meet some minimum requirements, and ideally go above and beyond to get a great position. To get the most out of your time as an international English teacher, you’ll need to:
1. Get a teaching certificate
Whether it’s TEFL, TESL, TESOL, or CELTA, a certificate in teaching English will set you up for success, and may be a good substitute if you don’t have a degree, or a degree in an educational field.
A TEFL certificate comes with hours of instruction by highly qualified professionals, hands-on classroom practice and lesson plans, a large network of support before, during, and after your time abroad, and in many cases, assistance finding available positions in your preferred destination. You’ll feel fully prepared to step into your new role as an international English teacher!
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2. Secure a visa
There are multiple ways to get a job teaching in Spain, and each will have its own visa process. You could become a private tutor while studying Spanish on a student visa, or be sponsored by the government through one of their programs for North Americans. These government-sponsored programs allow you the peace of mind of having a job before arriving in-country, but you’ll most likely still be responsible for your own room and board.
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3. Learn the language
It's not required for most TEFL jobs, but learning at least some of the local language before arriving abroad will help you fully immerse yourself in the culture and be able to communicate more effectively. It will also help you market yourself to potential students if you want to work as a private tutor.
Knowing some Spanish prior to your arrival will look great to potential employers and make it easier to adjust to your new surroundings. Note that in Catalonia (especially Barcelona), Catalan is also widely spoken and a significant part of the Catalonian culture, history, and identity.
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4. Do some research
When researching how to become a teacher in Spain, look into where you could afford to live on a teacher’s salary, or where there may be more work for English teachers. It’s great to be somewhat flexible so you can go where there are more opportunities available. You can also look for positions in a region which interests and inspires you!
Where Should I Teach English in Spain?
5. Network
Whether during your TEFL classes, online, or when you arrive in Spain, networking can be a great way to score additional opportunities for work. You could also make some great friends and other connections that could last a lifetime. Many of the most important relationships resulting from a teaching abroad experience are made outside of the classroom!
Get matched with 5 teaching jobs in Spain for FREE
Teaching English in Spain is a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture
Meet people, gain skills, and have the adventure of a lifetime as an English teacher in Spain!
Festivals like the Tomatina (tomato throwing festival) and San Fermin (honoring Pamplona’s patron saint), flamenco and salsa dancing, 5,000 miles of stunning coastline and sunny beaches, traditional foods like paella, and so much more make Spain one of the number one places to teach English as an international teacher.
Its regional diversity, laid-back lifestyle, and mix of historic and modern architecture, food, and activities are sure to engage all of your senses. If you’re looking for adventure, culture, and a fulfilling teaching environment, look no further than Spain!
Explore ALL Teach Abroad Opportunities in Spain on GoAbroad.com
This article was written with help from International TEFL Academy. With 40,000 alumni teaching English in 80 countries & online, ITA specializes in online and in-person TEFL courses worldwide. With almost 2000 positive reviews on GoAbroad, TEFL students can expect top-quality participant support at ITA, including lifetime job guidance.
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