5 cultural differences for TEFL teachers to know about Spain

Ah, Spain. España is and will continue to be a TEFL destination that people flock to for decades and decades to come. With its incredible weather, gorgeous food, beaches, fascinating history, party islands, diverse cultures and languages and so much more, it’s no wonder Spain is popular. Plus, there’s considerable demand for English lessons.

Its diversity really cannot be stressed enough. No two districts of Spain are alike, and there’s a lot of land for that cultural diversity to cover - maps don’t do it justice. Spain is huge: 506,030 km² in fact.

Ok, you get it: Spain is great. What about when you get there, though? What should you know when you first land in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville or anywhere else in Spain? What cultural no-no’s and si-si’s are there for TEFL teachers to navigate? Well, just like we tackled for Japan , here are some big cultural differences to take note of. 

1. Know where you are

This sounds daft on the surface but it’s really, really important. Know where you are in Spain, and pay attention to the details. There are 17 distinct regions of Spain , and while many blend into a more centralised ‘Spanish culture’, some are fiercely independent. The differences between the regions are massive, and they play out in a variety of ways.

It’s not just politics, although - of course - politics play a massive part. The S p anish Civil War and the reign of Francisco Franco left scars that can still be felt today, specifically around issues related to the representation of certain regions and the use of languages within Spain. These differences play out in culture, traditions and sport - watch any El Clasico match or any Barcelona derby !

The Basque Country and Catalonia, in particular, don’t consider themselves ‘Spanish’ in quite the same way as, say, Andalusia or Madrid. You need to be careful referring to the city of Barcelona as being Spanish, depending on your company, or where you are at the time. Spanish people are friendly, and they’ll understand that you don’t have the same cultural understanding as they do, but pay attention and learn about the history of where you’re teaching. It goes a long way.

2. Siestas really are a thing

That was heavy! We could use a nap. And even in the modern, 24-hour world, Spain has kept a wonderful tradition alive: the siesta.

You can see a twist coming, and here it is. Although Spain is perhaps most famous for the afternoon nap, it didn’t start there, necessarily. Like a great number of things, it’s credited to the Ancient Romans , who liked to rest when the sun was at its warmest and brightest. Can’t argue with that, really.

In Spain, it’s a working-class tradition. In the post-Civil War era, it was common for working people to have two or more jobs to support themselves, and as a small mercy, noon-1pm was traditionally set aside for food and rest. That said, people take their siestas at different times, with 2-3 pm being a common time slot. 

What are the effects of this scheduled sleeping? Well, napping is brilliant, obviously, and everyone has a fantastic time. It also means that the working day is longer, but you’re also fresher for the evening. Nights can go on longer. Arriba!

3. Dinner is later. Much later.

“Before the party comes dinner”, says the ancient proverb (citation needed). If you’re making evening plans during your first few weeks in Spain, you’d better get used to making them later. Your evening meal isn’t usually until 9pm, which usually means you’ll go to bed later.

Dinners also tend to take longer. In an ideal scenario, as a TEFL teacher, you’ll be speaking to friends or colleagues, eating slowly, enjoying the weather and spending your leisure time in a relaxed and stress-free manner. Sounds fine to us. Maybe you’re having proper tapas (as designated by the Spanish tourist board) or some Valencian paella , which this writer is reliably informed is “just better”.

4. Sundays are serious

We’ve tackled massive cultural and political differences - even a bit of war - so why not something light and uncontroversial? Like… religion!

Spain is an actively religious country. Predominantly Roman Catholic, Spanish Catholicism is famous for enormous gestures; think ornate displays, street parades, etc. Easter and Christmas are the biggest events, with Holy Week being particularly dominant in the Spanish calendar, but Saints Days like Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day) on the 1st of November are also significant.

This is all to say that they take the Sabbath very, very seriously. So, you’ll find the vast majority of businesses, public buildings, almost everything is just shut on a Sunday. It’s a day to be enjoyed, with an emphasis on spending time with friends and family, and the idea of operating a business on a Sunday is met with a furrowed brow.

A word of advice: even if you’re excited about seeing the pomp and ceremony of events like those leading up to Good Friday, be prepared for things to look a bit intimidating if it’s all new to you. It’s ok to be a bit confused/overwhelmed. 

5. Besitos!

Finally, we thought we’d finish with the traditional way of saying hello, because why not?

Greetings are important everywhere, but it’s how you greet in Spain that’s important. Besitos are little kisses that you give to people when you meet them, but they also kind of… aren’t? Let us explain.

So, you’re meeting your friend. You go up to them, embrace them, then your cheek touches their cheek, and you both kiss the air while making exaggerated kissing sounds. Then, you do the other cheek. 

It’s a little odd to do at first, but you’ll get there. We’d certainly recommend running some Besito drills at home before you head to Spain, as they’ll be important for job interviews, meeting landlords and other important things you’ll have to do!

Now you’re ready for Spain!

Spain may have a dramatic and compelling history, and yes, you need to be aware of its cultural differences and the importance of tradition and customs. You’ll forgive us, though, for also telling you that it’s amazing fun. It’s brimming with amazing festivals , incredible music, sporting events, a lyrical language and so much culture to explore.

Assimilation means a lot to Spanish people because it’s a compliment to their culture. Nobody expects you to get everything right straight away, but they do expect you to know a thing or two before you head there - especially as a teacher! - and to be honest, you can’t blame them.

You’ll fit in. Once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t move there sooner, whether you’re in Bilbao, Seville, Barcelona, Madrid or any of Spain’s other amazing destinations.

Your TEFL journey, whether it takes you to Spain, South Korea or the comfort of your home office, begins with certification. Take a look at our TEFL course options today; what’s stopping you?