Teach English Abroad In Spain

Requirements and Qualifications

• Degree

  No college degree is required to participate on this program.

• Tattoos

  Minor, visible tattoos are possible on this program but must be disclosed at signup and handled on a case-by-case basis.

• TEFL Certification

  Applicants must be TEFL or TESOL certified to participate on this program.

• Age Requirement

  Eligible age range is 22 to 35 years old  
  Applicants outside of this age range with previous teaching experience and a degree in education/teaching, can be screened and accepted on a case-by-case basis. They need to be flexible and open to any location, age group and timeline.
  
  

• Medical and Mental Health Considerations

  Medical test required? 
  Signed medical certificate for the education visa.
  
  Medical Disqualifiers
  Speech impediment
  Autism
  Walking with cane
  Legally blind or deaf
  Dyslexia
  Chronic dizziness
  Schizophrenia
  Arthritis
  
  Conditions Require Discussion with Xplore before Approval
  HIV
  Bipolar
  Epilepsy
  Depression
  Cancer
  Anxiety
  
  Notes
  All listed conditions with the exception of HIV require a doctor’s note.
  
  Any pre-existing medical or mental health conditions will need to be checked as it could make it difficult for participants to get the health insurance needed for the education visa.
  
  If taking any medication for mental health, must have doctor’s note. 

• Dependents and Pets Policy

  Dependents Spain
  No dependents (spouse/partner/children) can be accommodated on this program.
  
  
  Pets Spain 
  We strongly advise against bringing pets, as participants will not be able to stay in the program accommodations with pets. Barcelona is a pet-friendly city but bringing pets will be costly and it would limit their housing options. Should someone insist on bringing pets, we recommend they complete the program and secure a job and housing before having their pet join them on the program.

• Religious Attire and Garments

  Religious garments (hijaabs) are not possible for the Teach Spain.

• Criminal Background Check

  Clean background checks. Minor offences can be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.

• Language and Country of Citizenship

  This program is only open citizens (passport holders) from the following 7 nationalities: 
  US
  UK
   Ireland*
   Australia
  New Zealand
   Canada
  South Africa 
  
  *Startup costs are significantly lower as they are part of the EU.
  
  Other nationalities can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Salary Range

  Hourly Pay: €10 – €18
  Monthly Pay: €700 – €1,400
  
  Starting Salary Progression Example:
  
  Month 1: €528
  Month 2: €792
  Month 3: €1,056
  
  Potential Earnings: €1,200 – €1,400/month with experience or full hours
  
  Savings Potential: €0 – €300/month
  
  Teachers can expect their salary to grow over time as they take on more hours, starting around €528 in the first month and potentially reaching up to €1,400 per month. Hourly rates range from €10 to €18, and savings potential varies between €0 and €300 per month depending on living costs and income level.

• Contract Length

  Contract length is 12 months.

  The program is not renewable as the student visa cannot be extended.

• School Types And Placements

  Placement Locations

  The majority of our teaching positions are in the Barcelona area and surrounding towns. Teachers on the education visa will have a visa connected to the DTP in Barcelona. Teachers may also work in online positions. Online placements may be anywhere in the world. Teachers may be fully in-person, fully online, or work a combination of both. Whilst we will try to assist teachers with finding placements at their preferred school type teachers should be open to both online and in-person positions. Hourly pay is between 10-18 Euros per hour and monthly pay is between 700 Euros and 1,100 Euros per month.

  Placements Types

  There are three main types of placements in Spain:

  • Local academies

  • Online Placements: Teaching remotely for an online school, which may involve teaching students in Spain online, in Asia, or in Central America.

  • Private tutoring

   How The Placement Process Works

  Prior to arrival, we will collect a teacher profile from each participant and begin marketing to schools. Once in the country, orientation week includes a presentation giving a full overview of what to expect with different school types. After that, participants will each have weekly one-on-one meetings with their placement coordinator.

  We will reach out to schools on behalf of participants. If online teaching is an option at that time, it will also be offered as an additional or even alternative to in-person teaching. Placements will be largely part-time teaching across more than one school. Interviews may be arranged before, during and following the course.

  We can’t guarantee specific placement types and age groups so candidates must remain flexible. After the placements are offered by schools, we help answer any questions and guide participants on travel and housing plans.

• Student Age Range

  Adults, Kindergarten, Elementary and High School. 

  
  Most positions may require the need to teach all age groups within one school position.

• Teaching Placement Locations

  Positions are available in Barcelona or surrounding towns and villages.

  
  (Within 1 hour door to door from the center of Barcelona)

• Working Hours

  Local Academies: Evening and morning classes, around 15 - 25 hours per week.
  
  Business English: There are some evening teaching at local companies.
  
  Online classes: Can be mornings and or evenings. 
  
  Some teachers may start off at 8-10 hours per week and could grow from there.

• How Many Job Offers Can Be Expected?

  In Spain we provide "Full Placement Facilitation"  
  Full placement facilitation means that we will work with the participant on every aspect of their job placement process, including:
  
  • Supporting and preparing application documents
  • Identifying and vetting placement opportunities
  • Arranging interviews with schools
  • Interview preparation, including mock interviews
  • Following up with schools
  • Meeting and coaching regularly with the teacher throughout the placement process
  • Providing lifetime placement support
  
  There is no guarantee on exactly how many hours an initial placement will include, as most placements start with a smaller number of weekly hours and then grow from there based on schools’ assessments of teaching quality.
  
  A typical rule of thumb is about 8-10 hours per week to start at a single school and then grow from there within the same school. The placement team will then regularly and continually inform teachers about further part-time placement opportunities. Those teachers who want more teaching hours can respond to the placement team, and they will facilitate interviews. The information below provides an example of ramping-up hours from month 1-3 (following initial placement start date). 
  
   Month 1       €528       2 hours per day for 22 weekdays
    Month 2       €792        3 hours per day for 22 weekdays
    Month 3       €1,056     4 hours per day for 22 weekdays
                                  
  *Note that salary is based on a baseline hourly salary of €12 per hour for in-class academy teaching.
  
  
  If a teacher rejects a well qualified offer, they must be patient and prepare additional funds as we cannot say when the next placement will be available.

• Hiring Seasons

  August to November are the peak hiring times but we have intakes most months of the year.
  
  February - May are slower hiring months.

• Visa Support

  Participants from outside of the EU will arrive in Spain on the Education Visa. In order to obtain this visa, participants need to be enrolled in a program provided by our in-country partner. This is a “TEFL Developing Teacher Program” or DTP.

  Irish citizens who are part of the EU, or any other EU passport holders, do not need to obtain an education visa. Irish citizens have the right to move to Spain and will need to register as residents there within 90 days in order to stay longer than that period of time.

  Developing Teacher Program

  After the TEFL course, the students start the DTP, which is an ongoing study program that meets the requirements for an education visa. The DTP is tailored for individuals seeking an affordable opportunity to reside and work legally in Barcelona while enhancing their teaching skills and knowledge. It perfectly complements the TEFL and teaching experience participants will gain during their time in Barcelona.

  Flexibility is a key part of the DTP, as it allows participants to study at their convenience. In-person sessions are held every Tuesday from 12:00 - 1:30pm and Friday from 12:30 - 2:00pm, accommodating various schedules. Spanning 7 to 12 months, the course aligns with the duration necessary for eligibility for a long-term student visa in Spain. While regular attendance is encouraged, the structure permits individuals to adjust their participation around their existing work commitments. The course operates continuously, with breaks including a 4-week hiatus in August, a 2-week pause during Christmas, and a 1-week interval at Easter.

  A comprehensive syllabus will be sent to the participant ahead of time, detailing the curriculum equivalent to a 20-hour weekly study load. FAQs are also provided to address common inquiries and concerns. Irish or other EU citizens are not limited in terms of the number of hours they can work as they are members of the EU so they have no limitations on work. Moreover, they do not need to pay for the education visa, and are not required to take the DTP.

  Work Permissions with Education Visa

  The education visa allows participants to work for a maximum of 30 hours per week in a role related to their studies. A local school will hire participants under an internship agreement which states that the teacher is working for the school to gain experience in line with their studies. The internship (convenio) allows them to get a social security number and legally be paid a local wage. Teachers typically work for 15 to 25 hours per week (up to 30) so they will have time to study alongside this.

  Please note that Irish citizens are not limited in terms of the number of hours they can work as they are members of the EU, so there are no limitations on work. Moreover, they do not need to pay for the education visa and are not required to take the DTP.

  Visa Duration

  This visa will be for one year unless the participant opts for a shorter timeframe (10-month minimum) in the country.

• Startup Costs, The Bundle Fee, Housing

  Housing In-Class TESOL - Included in program fee through the Bundle Fee. €750 to be deducted from bundle fee of €3140.
  
  Housing once at Placement - The cost of accommodation varies from €300 for a shared room and bathroom to €700 or €800 for a small studio flat near the city center. It is often cheaper to live further outside of the city center, so participants should keep this in mind when looking. There is excellent public transport.
  
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  Start up costs - We require that participants have access to no less than $3000 when arriving in Spain, $4000 is strongly recommended. This amount excludes TEFL + Placement and Program Bundle (5 weeks accom, 12 month/7 month visa, TIE facilitation)
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  Health Insurance - Proof of health insurance for the duration of your visa in Spain is a requirement for the education visa. Cost is approximately $700 for 12 months.

• Other Important FAQs

  1. Are there any districts/areas in the city you'd recommend that have the cheapest rent but are also safe? Many neighborhoods are around the same price. Raval is known to be a higher crime area. It is generally advisable to avoid walking alone at night there. It may be best to explore other neighbourhoods first. 
  
  2. Are SIM cards provided? Yes, the participant will be provided with a SIM card. The one thing to note is that if a participant is from the states, and their phone is not paid in full - it will be locked. Also if they have a family plan, and one of the phones in the plan is not paid off - they will also likely not be able to change their service provider. In these cases, we suggest they buy a cheap phone to use while they are in Spain, as there's really no legal way to unlock the phone until it's been paid off. Or, if they're able to have an affordable plan from back home, they can also do that - although it's better to have a separate phone with a Spanish number. 
  
  3. When will I know where I am staying during the course? This will be confirmed roughly 2 weeks ahead of the program start date by TEFL Iberia, who organizes accommodation for participants and works with them on this.
  
  4. When should I book my flights? We recommend booking flights only once you have your visa approved and in hand.
  
  5. Can I use any background check for my visa application? No, you will need to follow the guidance on your consulate / BLS International site. For US Citizens, it will be an FBI check, for UK Citizens it is an ACRO Police Certificate. If you have lived in another country, for more than 6 months in the last 5 months, you will need a background check from that country as well.
  
  6. I permitted to stay an additional 90 days after the VISA expires on that date in Spain/Europe regardless of VISA processes? Yes! 
  
  7. Dress code for teaching? This is usually smart casual but always best to check in with your school on what their policy is.
  
  8. Who is responsible for booking the visa appointment? The participant is responsible for booking their visa appointment; however, we will be able to provide assistance and advice throughout the application process. 

• Spanish Language Classes Details

  Visa Duration
  

  Once you are enrolled in your Spanish language classes and your visa has been approved, you will receive a 48-week visa (approximately 11 months) in your passport.

  After the initial 48-week period, you will also be able to remain in Spain for a further 90 days under the standard tourist allowance, allowing you to spend over a year in Spain in total.

  Spanish Language Class Options

  Once in Barcelona, you will be able to choose one of the following study options:

   

  Intensive	3 intensive courses (1 month each) 4 hours per day, Monday to Friday 20 hours per week	Duration: 3 months	Total Hours: 240
  Standard	1 mandatory intensive course (1 month = 80 hours) Plus 2 standard courses (3 hours per week over 1 month = 12 hours)	Duration: 3 months	Total Hours: 104

   

  Important Notes
  

  • Standard courses only begin in January, April, or October.
  • The courses do not need to be completed consecutively. However, all 3 courses must be completed within the 48-week visa period.
  • Course books are not included in the program fee and must be purchased separately.
  • Course books typically cost between €30–€40 each.
  • Depending on your language level and progression, you may require more than one course book during your studies.