About Teaching English in Spain
To get hired to teach English in Spain, you will need a TEFL certificate. A 4-year college degree is not required but is strongly preferred. You must be a native English speaker as well. The average salary for an English teacher in Spain is about $800 - $1,500 USD per month.
Spain is one of the most popular locations in Europe and the world for teaching English abroad. Spain also represents one of the strongest job markets in Europe.
English teachers in Spain have a variety of options for finding work, this is one of the reasons why it's so popular among ITA graduates. From government and student visa programs to English summer camps and private tutoring in-person and online, the TEFL Spain job opportunities are available for the taking.
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The majority of English teachers find work in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. The peak hiring seasons are September to early October and January. So English teachers in Spain should be done with their TEFL course and ready to begin interviewing during one of those peak hiring seasons.
Important Note About The Job Market In Spain For Americans:At this time, the vast majority of non-EU citizens, including Americans and Canadians, teach English through government programs or on a student visa.
American & non-EU citizens who want to teach in Barcelona typically do so as independent contractors and private tutors. Please speak with your ITA Admissions Advisor to learn more and create your plan.
Read More: What You Need to Know Before Moving to Get a Job Teaching English in Spain [The Ultimate Super Cheatsheet].
How to Teach English in Spain: Requirements
TEFL Certification
A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Spain. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired.
Teachers typically interview in person in Spain, therefore, it is most common for students to take one of our TEFL course options listed below.
We also offer additional teach English in Spain programs in Madrid and Barcelona. See Student Visa Programs in Spain for further details.
Native English-Speaking Proficiency
You will need to be a native-English speaker to teach English in Spain. This means you must be a citizen from a recognized English-speaking nation: U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
Degree Requirements for Spain
While a bachelor's degree is not required to secure a job in Spain, it can still be strongly preferred by employers. If you do not have a degree, you should be prepared for a more competitive job search.
Read More: What Are the Basic Requirements for Teaching English in Spain?
How to Become an English Teacher in Spain
TEFL jobs in Spain
There are several routes for teaching ESL in Spain:
- Teaching as part of a Government Program such as the Cultural Ambassadors Program
- Teaching via the Barcelona and Madrid Student Visa Programs
- Private Tutoring
- Teaching at Summer English language Camps
- Teaching English Online
Be sure to talk with your ITA Admissions Advisor about Spanish Government Programs and student visa programs, as the planning can take anywhere from 3-6 months.
Finding English teaching jobs in Spain: Hiring & Visa
The best time to find English teaching jobs in Spain is in September or early October, and then again in January. English teachers in Spain will be expected to interview in person once they arrive in Spain, and they will also be responsible for their airfare and housing. Applicants for Government programs will apply in advance from home in Spring for positions beginning in Aug/Sept.
There are a variety of visa options for teachers in Spain. Spanish Government programs are extremely popular and will sponsor visas for non-European Union citizens. Most Americans & other non-EU citizens will also teach on a student visa. EU citizens can typically work legally in Spain, and Canadians may also be able to teach on aWorking Holiday Visa.
Teaching in Spain: Hours & Students
Schools in Spain typically offer 20-25 hours per week of work, leaving you plenty of opportunities to travel and explore. If you teach English online or private tutor outside of this, it will be up to you how many additional hours you take on each week.
It is common that your students will be school-aged children in summer camps and public schools. It is not uncommon, however, to private tutor both children and adults, or even business professionals at their place of work.
TEFL Spain Salary & Cost of Living
Start-up Costs
Start-up costs should be enough to cover your first 6 weeks of living in Spain and will range somewhere between $1,700 and $2,850 USD for 6 weeks. These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Spain until you receive your first paycheck and may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc.
TEFL in Spain Salary
A solid hourly wage enables English teachers in Spain to live a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle. English teachers in Spain can expect to make roughly $800 - $ 1,500 USD (€700 - 1,300) per month.
There are no flight or housing benefits/stipends provided so you will need to remember to account for accommodation or temporary housing for your first few weeks in your start-up costs until you find an apartment to rent.
Read more: How much can English teachers make in Spain?
Cost of Living & Savings
The cost of living typically ranges between $500-$1,000 USD per month (€450 - 900).
English teachers in Spain can expect to break-even month over month. This means you can cover your rent and bills, support yourself, live comfortably, and enjoy your life abroad to the fullest, but you shouldn't expect to save money at the end of the month. If you are hustling and taking on private tutoring lessons and/or teaching English online in addition to your regular teaching schedule, you may increase your ability to save.
