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English teaching jobs in Spain
For so many TEFL graduates, teaching and living in Spain is the dream. If that’s the case for you, you’ll want to find out where all the jobs are!
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Spain’s TEFL market is simply unrivalled in Europe. Whichever end of the payscale you’re on while teaching English in Spain, you’ll be able to experience the fullness of this colourful, unique nation.
With such a high demand for EFL teachers, there are plenty of entry-level positions to be found in Spain. Many teachers find work within state schools through programmes such as Meddeas, or in language schools across the country - of which there are many, even in small towns. These more college-style schools hire lots of English speakers, and these schools are prevalent across the country. There are also short contracts to be found working for summer schools, which are a great way of introducing yourself to the world of TEFL.
It’s little wonder Spain is so popular, given how easy it is to find teaching English jobs - that is, if you have the right to work within the country. Teachers from outside of the EU will find it tricky to legally work in Spain, but will commonly obtain a student visa, which allows them to teach. As with any country, it’s essential to understand the visa requirements before making any plans. Various teaching programs in Spain require different teaching hours per week, and these programs often come with specific benefits or compensation.
Teaching English in Spain: an overview
There’s plenty of work in Spain to be found year-round for English teachers. Many teachers working for schools will also tutor alongside this, on average making around €10-€25 ($11-$27/£8-£21) an hour depending on location and experience. The optimal times for finding positions are from September to early October and January.
Language assistants often seek employment opportunities in private language schools and navigate the process of securing work permissions in Spain after participating in educational programs. You don’t need a degree to teach English in Spain but having one makes it much easier to pick up work. Obtaining a TEFL certificate is important for job opportunities in private schools in Spain.
Spain is an appealing destination for teachers looking to teach English abroad due to its cultural diversity and welcoming atmosphere. The benefits and experiences associated with teaching English abroad in Spain include salary, affordability, and cultural immersion. If you’re seeking a teaching job, it’s essential to hold TEFL certification and have a well-prepared CV.
You need to have a resident permit and a foreigner ID number (NIE) to live and work in Spain. If you’re from outside the EU, it can be difficult to legally work teaching English in Spain, as employers can only sponsor a visa if an EU citizen can’t fill the position. An option for non-EU citizens is to enter the country on a student visa, which allows you to work for a limited number of hours per week. Using specific resources to locate TEFL jobs and understand the job market for TEFL teachers in Spain is crucial if you want to teach English in Spain.
Quick facts about Spain
- Country Name: España
- Capital: Madrid
- Official Language: Spanish
- Population: 47.5 million
- Currency: Euro (€)
Key facts
Requirements
- Having a degree can really help in your job search, though you can teach English abroad without a degree in Spain. Many employers will ask for a bachelor’s or, in some cases, a master’s or doctorate degree. However, it’s not always a prerequisite.
- A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours of training is recommended for finding English teaching jobs in Spain. An advanced TEFL certification in Business English or English for Academic Purposes will definitely help in the job market.
- If you don't have any previous teaching experience, don't worry - you can still find English teaching jobs in Spain. There are plenty of opportunities in the country for first-time teachers, especially those who have completed a TEFL course, showing they have the skills and knowledge to teach students.
- There are no set age limits to be an English teacher in Spain. Summer camp employers usually have age restrictions. However, long-term roles in language centres, schools and the like don’t tend to have an age bias.
- While it's not impossible to find teaching jobs as a non-native English speaker, there can be a preference for native English educators. You'll often need to prove your fluency - usually with an IELTS or TOEFL certificate - and will almost always require a TEFL certification to teach abroad in Spain.
Salary and benefits
A typical English teaching salary for full-time jobs in Spain is about €1,424 (£1,201/$1,546) per month. Salaries can, however, rise depending on your level of experience, your qualifications, and the kind of institution you work in. Location also plays a part - salaries in cities like Barcelona and Madrid are typically higher due to the cost of living.Benefits can include accommodation, airfare and Spanish language lessons, though it very much depends on the type of employer you work for. If you teach abroad in Spain for an international school or a private school, you're more likely to receive bonuses and incentives. In terms of private school jobs in Spain, benefits are less common.
Living and working in Spain
Madrid, the capital of Spain, has the highest cost of living in the country, making it a good barometer of what’s affordable for an English teacher. With rents that cost half of those in London and a cost of living that’s a third of England’s capital city, let’s look at some of the basics: rent, utilities and food.
A one-bedroom apartment in central Madrid will cost about $1,509/£1,181 per month, which falls to $1,087/£850 per month outside the city centre. Due to the price of rent, it’s worth noting that most teachers tend to share accommodation at first, usually renting a room. Utilities cost $166/£130, with a standard internet contract costing about $34/£26 per month.A three-course meal for two in a mid-priced restaurant is about $65/£51, and perhaps best of all, a mid-range bottle of wine is $7/£5.50!Types of English teaching jobs in Spain
Public schools
Teachers working at public schools, whether that's preschools, elementary or secondary schools, will usually do so through a programme or government scheme. You’ll find very keen students in Spanish classrooms, who understand the appeal and the importance of learning English.
Jobs boards
The TEFL Org Jobs Centre is a valuable resource for finding teaching jobs in Spain, including summer camps, and temporary, part-time and full-time positions.
Spainwise lists numerous English jobs across Spain, and has details about jobs conferences across the country.
English YA sources native-speaking volunteers to provide English conversation and activities in exchange for accommodation and meals – a great experience for newbie teachers.
The Yellow Pages is a great source for finding English language schools, just search ‘Academias de Idiomas’.
Teaching programmes in Spain
On The Meddeas Programme, you’ll teach 20-24 hours a week to kids from 2 to 18 years of age, receive excellent Spanish education, and a competitive monthly stipend!
Up International Education provides positions for recent graduates under 30 years old who have a teacher training certificate but no experience. The apprenticeship is 8-months long.
The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) is a long-acclaimed teaching program for North Americans in Spain. You have to be a college student or hold a bachelor's degree, pass both health and criminal record checks, and be aged 18-60. There are between 12-16 hours of teaching time, and you can earn 700 and 1,000 Euros per month ($748-$1,068/£590-£843).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is there a demand for English teachers in Spain?
Spain probably has the highest demand for English teachers of any country in Europe, with a range of institutions hiring year-round, and some excellent teaching programmes.
Q. Is TEFL enough to teach in Spain?
In some cases, a TEFL certification will be enough to teach in Spain, depending on the employer. Teaching experience and further qualifications are desirable.
Q. How can I get a job teaching English in Spain?
To get a job teaching English in Spain, you’ll need at least a TEFL certification, while some employers will require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) and previous teaching experience.
Q. How much money do English teachers make in Spain?
How much money do English teachers make in Spain?
An entry-level English teaching salary for full-time school jobs in Spain is about €1,424 (£1,201/$1,546) per month.