If you want to move to Spain be an English assistant then there are multiple companies you can apply to to make your dreams a reality. But should you apply to the Spanish Ministry of Education, BEDA, MEDEAS, Conversa Spain, CIEE, UCETAM, or RFV International? To help you figure out which one is best for you let's compare each program.
Photo credits: Joan Oger
What to Know
About These Programs.
These programs offer teaching assistant placements in schools across Spain. Some offer free placement and others provide placement and other assistance at a set fee. None of these programs offer housing. Some offer help with the VISA process but it can be a lot of work to obtain the proper VISA. The programs on this list are well known and legitimate.
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. In this role you are not suppose to be the actual teacher but assist the teacher in the classroom. Your job consists of sharing your culture/language through classroom activities and individual student support. However, 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 to Consider when Comparing Programs.
Think about your personal priorities. Take into consideration how many hours and days per week you will work, what is expected of you in the classroom, and the possible placement locations you may receive. Consider if what you are getting from the program is worth the cost. Finally, read past teacher reviews on third party websites like GoAbroad and GoOverseas or find blog posts and youtube videos that talk about other people's previous experiences with that company.
What NOT to Consider When Comparing 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.
Hopefully you are 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 working with assisted them with their issues.
Programs to Teach in Spain
Program: North American Language and Culture Assistants Program.
Placement Fee: Free.
Requirements: 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.
Placement Location(s): Across Spain.
Working Hours: 14-16 teaching hours per week, 4 days a week.
Salary: €800-€1000 per month.
What is Provided: Medical insurance.
Contract Length: 8 months, October-May.
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.
Program: The Bilingual English Development and Assessment Program.
Placement Fee: €190 enrollment fee.
Requirements: 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.
Placement Location(s): Catholic schools across Spain, but mainly in Madrid.
Working Hours: 18-24 hours per week, 5 days a week.
Your Salary: €900-€1200 per month.
What is 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.
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 assistance with VISA, housing, transportation, etc...
No choice of placement/teaching location.
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.
Program: Meddeas Language Assistant Program.
Placement Fee: Deposit of €850, refunded after completion of the program.
Requirements: 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.
Placement Location(s): Private or charter schools across Spain.
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.
What is Provided: VISA assistance and a Spanish social security number.
Contract Length: September/January-May/June.
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.
Program: Conversa Spain.
Placement Fee: €1,215-€2,775 depending on placement and assistance wanted.
Requirements: 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.
Placement Location(s): Public schools in one of four regions; Madrid, Murcia, Castilla-la Mancha, or Castilla y Leon.
Working Hours: 14-16 hours per week, 4 days a week.
Your Salary: €800-€1,000 per month.
What is 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.
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.
Program: CIEE's Teach in Spain Program.
Placement Fee: $2,200-$2,350.
Requirements: 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.
Placement Location(s): Region of Madrid, Spain.
Working Hours: 16 hours per week, 4 days a week.
Your Salary: €1,000 per month.
What is 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.
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.
Program: Colegios Bilingues Cooperativos' Language Assistance Program.
Placement Fee: €150 refundable deposit.
Requirements: Native English speakers that hold a university degree and have had experience working with children.
Applications Open: Starting in January.
Placement Location(s): UCETAM-affiliated schools in the region of Madrid, Spain.
Working Hours: 18-26 hours per week, 5 days a week.
Your Salary: €900-€1,300 per month.
What is Provided: VISA documentation, health insurance, and free lunch (if your school provides lunch for students).
Contract Length: September-June.
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.
Program: RFV's Teach Abroad in Spain Program.
Placement Fee: $1,300-$1,800 depending on program.
Requirements: Native English Speakers from the USA or Canada who have a bachelors degree.
Applications Open: Applications accepted year round.
Placement Location(s): 15 regions across Spain.
Working Hours: 12-14 or 16-20 hours per week, 4-5 days per week.
Your Salary: €800-€1,000 per month.
What is Provided: Support with VISA process and Spanish residency process, private health insurance, and ongoing support while in Spain.
Contract Length: October-May.
Pros:
Easy to apply for a second year.
3-day weekend with most placements.
Support transitioning abroad.
Cons:
Program fee.
What Program is Better?
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 and happy to put in the work yourself.
Are okay being placed anywhere in Spain.
Don't mind disorganization.
Travel is a high priority.
BEDA or UCETAM is best if you...
Want a lot of support for a very low 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 a lot of 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 placements only).
Other Programs
There are several other programs that offer teaching placements in Spain that I am not comparing but will add for information purposes only.
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
As you can see, there are multiple programs that allow you to be an English assistant in Spain. Which one is better depends on your personal goals and priorities. Hopefully this breakdown helped you figure out what one is the right one for you. Good luck with the application process and hopefully your experience in Spain is unforgettable.