Teach English in Spain
Whether you prefer the artistic city of Barcelona or the vibrant capital of Madrid, anyone who wants to teach English in Spain will have an amazing experience.
What is the first thing that pops into your head when you think about Spain? Art? Soccer? If you visit Barcelona, you can admire the beautiful architecture of world famous architects like: Antoni Gaudi.
Guell park (pictured above) is so picturesque many feel it is a fairy tale. Not only that, but you can view the Mediterranean sea and downtown Barcelona from the park.
Of course, just for the atmosphere, the rivalry and atmosphere between the two footballing super-teams of Madrid and Barcelona is enough to entice some travellers. It’s time to enjoy a different style of life with late nights, tapas bars, and a vibrant Latin culture.
If you are interested in a more relaxed pace of life, have an interest in foreign languages, incredible food and amazing music and dance, then maybe you should consider teaching English in Spain. The country that brought us la siesta, has a lot more to offer than this sleepy habit would suggest. Spanish culture is one of the richest and wide spread around the world, so living and working in Spain can not only allow you to experience new things but also to connect to a culture that has become more and more influential over the last few years, and with good reason.
Cities – Madrid, Barcelona and Seville
Madrid
This is a great place to start when searching for your job in Spain to teach English. The safest city in the country, the capital also offers incredible experiences when it comes to nightlife, tourism, eating and drinking out and much more. Madrid is the perfect place to soak up the Spanish way of life, and unlike some of its neighbouring regions, Spanish is the only language spoken here so it’s the best place to learn how to speak the lingo. Apart from overflowing with things to do, Madrid is also central Spain, which means that flying anywhere out is super cheap and easy. You can experience so much of Europe with the time off that you have, not to mention all of the culture and history that Madrid itself has to offer.
Barcelona
This is another top contender on this list. The cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia is home to astonishingly beautiful architecture such as La Sagrada Familia, and an immense amount of museums and other tourist attractions. Barcelona is a beautiful city full of friendly people with a strong sense of Catalan pride and a taste for the finer things in life. Barcelona is definitely the city to be in if you like to explore on your days off after you teach English, as every nook and cranny holds another beautiful piece of architecture or tiny restaurant kept open by one 90-year-old woman’s irresistible cooking.
Seville
This is a fast becoming a popular choice with expats due to its size. The slightly smaller city has all the amenities and culture of the bigger cities but with less time spent walking between areas. Seville is full of beautiful unique neighbourhoods, all with their own feel and function, suitable for every taste and budget. Furthermore, because Seville is smaller and less busy, it’s cheaper and more pleasant to get around without the tourists and population of the bigger cities. Plus, with less tourists comes more opportunities to learn how to speak Spanish.
Food
The Spanish are famous worldwide for their delectable dishes, so where better to experience them than in the country itself? Spanish food is full of flavour and the people take their comfort food very seriously. So much so that even their snacks are amazing, and food is given to you free with almost every drink you order. The birthplace of Paella, Chorizo, Sangria and Tapas is not one to be ignored, and the Spanish do their meals right. They enjoy a large lunch and then a nap, so that they can have a light dinner and enjoy a night out on the town. If this isn’t the secret to a happy life, then there mustn’t be one.
Culture
The Spanish are known as being quite fiery, romantic people with sultry accents and sophisticated dance moves. Realistically, the Spanish are a very welcoming, friendly people who are usually happy to introduce you to any part of their culture, especially if it involves food and drink. Dancing and nightlife is also a large part of Spanish youth culture, so if you want to improve your moves then this is the place to be. Spanish culture is largely communitive, so once you’ve been there for a while and learned a little bit of the language, don’t be surprised if you receive a dinner invitation from a neighbour or have a daily catch up with your local fruit seller. This is all a part of the experience, and if you want to connect with the culture you should always say yes to any invite.
Jobs
As more and more Spaniards move away from the motherland, the requirement for English and English teachers has grown a lot over the last few years and continues to do so. At the moment, Primary and Secondary schools will be your best bet wherever you go, and it would be safe to apply before you arrive as there aren’t that many schools that will randomly need a teacher half way through the school year. Private schools are constantly popping up too which will pay more than public schools and may be more centrally located and easier to get to. Spanish students are enthusiastic and confident, so being in the classroom with them is always a pleasure. If you’d rather take the risk, or are planning on going to Spain regardless, you can teach online and easily travel around the country as domestic flights are very cheap.
Qualifications
Native speakers get a big boost here, but it isn’t necessarily an application requirement. The only thing teachers really need to find work in Spain is a certified qualification such as a TESOL Certificate. With no degrees required, there can be stiff competition for jobs in the bigger cities, but wherever you go, teaching online can be a great option that allows you to move around as and when you please instead of staying in one place.
Visas
European nationals require no visa to enter or work in Spain so you can easily drop in or out as you please and move around Europe on your days. Those who need a visa can get sponsored by some of the bigger schools and universities or can simply apply for a tourist visa and travel around teaching online to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Spain is a diverse, culturally rich country with a language that is the second most spoken in the world. The benefits of living and working in Spain can only be appreciated after you’ve taken the first step and applied for jobs teaching English abroad or online. Keep an eye out on job boards for more and more opportunities to come.
