TEACH ENGLISH IN SPAIN

The type of visa you will use to teach English in Spain will depend on your nationality and perhaps other factors. Research is extremely important when deciding on which type of visa one will get and you should speak to a TEFL Advisor to discuss your specific questions and concerns. 

The following are the most common types of visas that can be obtained for Spain:

STUDENT VISA

ITA offers Student Visa Programs in Barcelona & Madrid that enable students from all ITA TEFL classes who are US & other non-EU citizens to study Spanish. This student visa also allows teachers to work legally in Spain and teach English full-time. Citizens of EU nations don't typically need a visa to teach in Spain.

Student Visa Programs are right for you if you're looking for a legal way to teach in Barcelona or Madrid, and they are also great options if you're passionate about learning Spanish.

Read More: How to Apply for a Student Visa to Legally Teach English in Spain

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS

It’s uncommon for English language schools in Spain to sponsor work visas for North American English teachers, so Spanish Government-sponsored or approved programs are realistic alternatives.

The Cultural Ambassadors Program is one of the most popular avenues for ITA graduates teaching English in Spain. Each year, the Spanish Ministry of Education recruits more than 1,000 Americans & Canadians to work as assistant language teachers in elementary schools. Other popular Spanish Government Programs are listed on this chart.

Spanish Government Programs are right for you if you’re flexible on what city you want to live in, and if you prefer to line up your teaching job in advance.

WORK VISA

This type of visa is very uncommon for non-EU English teachers to receive in Spain as you need an employer to sponsor you in order to obtain one. Work visas are only typically given to those teachers working in public schools through the Ministry of Education program or international schools.  

WORKING HOLIDAY VISA

A working holiday visa is a permit that allows people with certain nationalities to legally work and sometimes study, in certain countries around the world (excluding Americans). 

Take a look at International TEFL Academy’s Working Holiday Visa Chart to see if you qualify. As of October 2016, citizens of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada may be eligible to work in Spain on a working holiday visa.

Read More: What Type of Visa Can I Use to Teach English in Spain?

Operated by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, the Cultural Ambassadors Program recruits and places native English & French speakers from the U.S. & Canada as assistant language teachers in elementary and secondary schools throughout Spain. 

The program, which is also known as the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program- or the auxiliares de conversación (“conversation assistants”) in Spanish, recruits up to 2,500 Americans & Canadians to teach English (and in the case of some Canadians, French) in Spain each year. 

Cultural Ambassadors applications are evaluated based on a list of criteria that are indicative of a candidate’s potential for successful participation in the program:

• U.S. or Canadian citizenship;
• Academic Requirements: Hold a minimum of a BA or BS by the end of the academic year preceding the start of the program, be a junior or a senior, or have become a university graduate;
• Demonstrative communicative skills in Spanish - the official program website states: "Official college transcripts, high school records, Spanish language certificates or others may be uploaded as extra proof of language competence."
• Demonstrate that you are in Physical and Psychological Condition: you will be required to submit a medical form.

Read More: What is the Cultural Ambassadors Program for Teaching English in Spain? [Auxiliares de Conversacion]

YES! There are several government teaching programs available in Spain other than the Cultural Ambassadors Program. 

These programs come with a student visa and each has different costs and requirements associated with them, so be sure to do your research to ensure you qualify. They include:

• Meddeas - Language Assistant 
• BEDA Program - Language Assistant
• UCETAM - Language Assistant
• UP International Education - Language Assistant
• Conversa Spain - Language Assistant
• Fulbright Spain - Teaching Assistant

Read More: Spain Government Programs Quick Guide

ITA alumna, Lauren O'Rourke, outlines the steps she took to find private teaching work in Barcelona, Spain. These steps consist of:

• Joining a teaching community
• Creating online ads to find students looking for English tutors
• Drawing up contractual agreements to establish hours and pay
• Referrals
• Networking

Read More: How to Find Private English Teaching Work in Barcelona, Spain

First-time English teachers in Spain can make $800 - $ 1,500 USD (€700 - €1,300) monthly, depending on the job, experience, and location. Most starting teachers earn €10 - €15 hourly ($12- $17.50 USD) in private schools or giving private lessons. Benefits like housing & airfare are not provided.

Read More: How much money can I earn teaching English in Spain?

Yes, you can teach English in Spain without a degree, however many positions, including those through government programs like the Cultural Ambassadors, will require it. Expect to be more patient and persistent in your job search and be flexible about taking part-time positions and private students.

Download: Your Guide to Teaching English Abroad Without a Degree

No, you do not need to know Spanish to teach English in Spain. You will only speak English while teaching your students. However, some Spanish is highly preferred to teach in the government Cultural Ambassadors Program, and knowing some Spanish will help for marketing yourself as a private tutor.

Download: I Don’t Speak a Foreign Language – Can I Still Teach English Abroad?

Yes! English language skills are in high demand for jobs throughout Spain and that means language schools and government education programs seek out TEFL-qualified English teachers. There are hundreds of language schools in every major city and every school needs qualified teachers.

Expect to spend 20-30 hours a week teaching and 10-12 hours prepping lessons. You may work a typical school day from 9 am to 5 pm (with a 2-hour break). However, because most jobs involve teaching working adults and giving private lessons, expect to work some hours in evenings or even weekends.

If you want to experience all the history, culture, and cuisine that Spain has to offer, then teaching English is worth it as a viable means of getting paid to live and work in that beautiful country. You likely won’t get rich, but the experience of living in Spain will be worth it many times over.