There are multiple companies that will enable you to work as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain. The Spanish Ministry of Education, BEDA, MEDEAS, Conversa Spain, CIEE, UCETAM, and RFV International are all popular options to teach English in Spain. However, deciding on what program is the best option for you is not always easy. To help you figure out which one you should choose, this post will compare each program’s placement options, program fees, overall support, pros and cons, and more.
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FAQS About Working as a Language Assistant in Spain
How can you teach English in Spain?
You can teach English in Spain with one of the following companies/organizations that offer teaching assistant placements; The Spanish Ministry of Education, BEDA, MEDEAS, Conversa Spain, CIEE, UCETAM, or RFV International.
You can also find an English teaching job on your own.
What is an Auxiliar?
You may hear the job referred to as an auxiliar or an auxiliar de conversación. In other words; a language assistant. An Auxiliar’s job consists of sharing their culture/language through classroom activities and individual student support.
There are a few programs on this list that expect you to take on more of a teaching role and offer a heavier work load. Be sure to read the job description and expectations before you apply.
What VISA do you need to Teach English in Spain?
To teach in Spain as an Auxiliar, if you are a US citizen, you typically need to be on a Type D (long stay student VISA). This is a student VISA that will allow you to work 30 hours per week while living in Spain. There are other VISA options and the company you work with will be able to suggest the best VISA for you.
Do you need a Bachelor’s Degree to Teach English in in Spain?
Yes, you do need a Bachelor’s Degree to teach in Spain, but it does not need to be a teaching degree.
Do you need a TEFL certification to teach in Spain?
No. If you work with any of the programs on this list, you do not need a TEFL certification to teach in Spain.
Do you need to speak Spanish to work in Spain?
No, you do not need to speak Spanish to work as an English teacher in Spain. While living in Spain you will have the opportunity to learn the language.
What to consider when comparing teaching programs.
Think about your personal priorities and take into consideration;
- How many hours and days per week you will work.
- What type of work is expected of you.
- The age of the student’s you want to work with.
- Where you want to live.
- How much money you want to make/save.
- The overall type of experience you want.
- How much you want to do on your own versus how much support you want.
- If what you are getting from the program is worth the cost.
Read past teacher reviews on third party websites or find blog posts and youtube videos that talk about other people’s previous experiences with that company.
What NOT to consider when comparing teaching programs.
All of these program push how much fun you will have living in Spain. But this is not part of the program they offer, rather a perk of working in Span in general. Focus on the program itself not the fun you will have abroad.
When reading reviews of these programs from past participants, be careful with reviews that only speak about a specific school, classroom, or teacher that the reviewer worked with. Odds are you will not get the same exact placement as that reviewer did. Instead, focus on how the program they are worked with responded to their issues/concerns.
Programs to Teach English in Spain
1. Spanish Ministry Of Education
Program: North American Language and Culture Assistants Program.
Location(s): Across Spain.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens ages 18-60 who are native level English speakers and have a BA, BS, AA, or AS degree or are enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or a senior in a BA or BS program. *Find the Canadian citizen program, here.
Applications Open: February-April.
Fee: Free.
What’s Provided: Medical insurance.
Contract Length: 8 months, October-May.
Working Hours: 14-16 teaching hours per week, 4 days a week.
Salary: €800-€1000 per month.
Pros:
- No application/placement fee.
- No fee to quit the program if it is not for you.
- 3-day weekends.
- No TEFL needed.
- Easy acceptance as applications are first come first serve with no interview.
Cons:
- No assistance with VISA, housing, transportation, etc…
- No choice of placement/teaching location.
- Program can be extremely disorganized and information is not always forthcoming.
- Paychecks have a several month delay.
2. BEDA
Program: The Bilingual English Development and Assessment Program.
Location(s): Catholic schools across Spain, but mainly in Madrid.
Eligibility: Native English speakers, or speakers at a native level who have a C2 English certificate, who have a Bachelors degree.
Applications Open: January-mid March. Sometimes they re-open in June.
Fee: €200 enrollment fee.
What’s Provided: Health insurance, assistance obtaining a Spanish residency card, help opening a Spanish bank account, and assistance while in country.
Contract Length: 10 months, September-June.
Working Hours: 18-24 hours per week, 5 days a week.
Your Salary: €900-€1200 per month.
Pros:
- More autonomy as a teacher and a better teaching experience.
- No TEFL needed.
- Reliable Pay.
- Lots of support from BEDA staff.
- Easy to apply to work for a second year.
Cons:
- No choice of placement/teaching location.
- No assistance with VISA, housing, transportation, etc…
- If placed in Madrid, you must attend weekend classes provided by the program.
- Higher expectations of teachers and a heavier workload.
- Application can be competitive.
3. MEDDEAS
Program: Meddeas Language Assistant Program.
Location(s): Private or charter schools across Spain.
Eligibility: Native English speakers, or native French/German speakers with a B2 level in English, who have a minimum 3 year degree or post graduate degree in education or linguistics that was obtained within the past 4 years.
Applications Open: Starting in January.
Fee: Deposit of €850, refunded after completion of the program.
What’s Provided: VISA assistance and a Spanish social security number. You can also stay with a host family.
Contract Length: S6, 8, or 9-months in September/January-May/June.
Working Hours: 20-24 hours per week, 5 days a week.
Your Salary: €906-€1,194 if you find your own accommodation, €409-€724 if you want to be placed with a host family.
Pros:
- Easy to apply to work for a second year.
- Option to live with a Spanish host family.
- TEFL certificate included with program.
Cons:
- If you quit they keep your deposit.
- No choice of placement/teaching location.
- You must obtain and pay for your own private medical insurance.
- If living with a host family it is expected that you teach them English. This can make participants feel overworked as you get less free time and do more work for less money since you are paying for your meals/accommodation with them.
4. Conversa Spain
Program: Conversa Spain.
Placement Location(s): Public schools in one of four regions; Madrid, Murcia, Castilla-la Mancha, or Castilla y Leon.
Eligibility: Native English speakers ages 59 and under who have a college degree and hold a passport from one of their 32 listed countries.
Applications Open: You can apply at any time and they will reach out to you once they begin placements for the school year.
Fee: €1,520-€2,900 depending on which of the 8 program packages you choose.
What’s Provided: VISA application assistance, assistance opening a bank account, and health insurance. Depending on your chosen program they also offer an inclusion-week (where they provide accommodation, 20 Spanish lessons, and evening activities) and/or a TEFL certificate.
Contract Length: October/January-May/June.
Working Hours: 14-16 hours per week, 4 days a week.
Your Salary: €800-€1,000 per month.
Pros:
- You choose the region you want to work in.
- 3-day weekends.
Cons:
- Sometimes your days off are not consecutive.
- You have to pay the high fee quickly and there is no payment plan.
- Some reviews say the assistance they offer is more like verbal tips than actual help.
- Their offices work off a “help you help yourself” model.
5. CIEE
Program: CIEE’s Teach in Spain Program.
Location(s): Region of Madrid, Spain.
Eligibility: Native English speakers with a bachelors degree who are under the age of 60 and are from the USA, Canada, or Ireland.
Applications Open: September start date closes March 1st and January start dates close in October.
Fee: $2,350-$3,900 depending on what program you choose.
What’s Provided: VISA guidance, airport pickup, health insurance, 24/7 emergency assistance, and a 4-day orientation that includes accommodation and activities.
Contract Length: 6 months January-June or 10 months September-June.
Working Hours: 16 hours per week, 4 days a week.
Your Salary: €1,000 per month.
Pros:
- Placement in the region of Madrid.
- Easy to apply to work for a second year.
- Lots of assistance moving and teaching abroad.
- 3-day weekends.
Cons:
- This program is the most expensive.
- Many mixed reviews regarding the level of help they actually offer.
6. UCETAM
Program: Colegios Bilingues Cooperativos’ Language Assistance Program.
Location(s): UCETAM-affiliated schools in the region of Madrid, Spain.
Eligibility: Native English speakers that hold a university degree and have had experience working with children.
Applications Open: Starting in January.
Fee: €150 refundable deposit.
What’s Provided: VISA documentation, health insurance, and free lunch (if your school provides lunch for students).
Contract Length: September-June.
Working Hours: 18-26 hours per week, 5 days a week.
Your Salary: €900-€1,300 per month.
Pros:
- Easy to apply for a second year.
- Placement in Madrid.
- Great experience for those seriously interested in teaching.
- The mandatory training offers 6 EU college credits.
Cons:
- Most extensive application.
- Must take part in mandatory training program, including 7 in-person classes.
- Your are more of a teacher than the assistant.
- Higher expectations of teachers and a heavier workload.
7. RFV International
Program: RFV’s Teach Abroad in Spain Program.
Location(s): 15 regions across Spain.
Eligibility Native English Speakers from the USA or Canada who have a bachelors degree.
Applications Open: Applications accepted year round.
Fee: $2,099.
What’s Provided: Support with VISA process and Spanish residency process, private health insurance, and ongoing support while in Spain.
Contract Length: October & May/June.
Working Hours: 12-16/hr week, 4-5 days per week.
Your Salary: €800-€1,000 per month.
Pros:
- Easy to apply for a second year.
- 3-day weekend with most placements.
- Support transitioning abroad.
Cons:
- Program fee.
What Teach in Spain Program is the Best?
The program you should choose depends on what your priorities are.
Spanish Ministry of Education is best if you…
- Want to apply but not commit just yet.
- Don’t want to pay for placement.
- Are happy to apply for your VISA & find accommodation on your own.
- Are okay being placed anywhere in Spain.
- Don’t mind company disorganization.
- Travel is a high priority.
BEDA or UCETAM is best if you…
- Want support at a lower fee.
- Want an actual teaching experience.
- Are happy with more responsibility and a heavier work load.
- Want a guaranteed Madrid placement (UCETAM only).
Meddeas is best if you…
- Really want to live with a host family.
- Want to obtain a TEFL certification.
- Need a January start date.
CIEE is best if you…
- Want assistance abroad and money is not at all an issue.
- Want a guaranteed Madrid placement.
- Need a January start date.
- Want to add a TEFL or a 2-4 week Spanish immersion experience.
- Travel is a high priority.
RFV is best if you…
- Want support abroad and money is not an issue.
- Are okay being placed anywhere in Spain.
- Travel is a high priority (4-day work days).
Other Programs to Teach English in Spain
There are several other programs that offer teaching placements in Spain. I have excluded them from this list due to how different they are from the previous companies/programs. However, they may be a good fit for you.
- Instituto Franklin
- This is a program where you can obtain a masters degree through a Spain teaching placement.
- Fullbright
- This is a grant based teaching assistant program in Spain that is very extensive to apply to.
- Up International
- While this company advertises free placements in Spain, I could not find any reviews on them. You can email them for more details.
Conclusion
There are multiple programs that enable you to teach English in Spain. The best one depends on your personal goals and priorities. Hopefully this breakdown helped you figure out what English teaching program is the right one for you. Have you worked as a language assistant with one of these program? What was your experience like? Please share in the comments below!