Is Spain a Good Place to Teach English?
Teaching English abroad is a great way to experience a new culture while also giving back to the community at the same time. If you’re looking to teach abroad, the first step would be to decide what country you want to go to. Spain is a great destination to teach English while exploring one of the world’s most beautiful countries! Read more to find out why you should choose Spain as your teach-abroad destination.
The first thing to research is whether there is a demand for English teachers in the country you are looking to move to. According to the International TEFL Academy, there is a high demand for native English teachers in Spain, and Spain has one of the largest markets in Europe for teaching English. And the demand is even higher for native English speakers. Spanish people prefer learning English from a person with a native accent, as they want to master the accent as well as possible. In job listings for English teachers in Spanish academies you will very often see that they are looking for “native speakers only” to fill the positions. This is great news if you’re looking to teach abroad! And you will most likely not need to know Spanish to teach either, as English classes most often are only taught in English.
You don’t necessarily need an English degree or experience to teach in Spain. Requirements for teaching abroad vary greatly in different countries. In Spain, being a native speaker can be more important than having a degree or teaching experience. This makes Spain the perfect place to kick off your ESL career. If it is your first time going abroad to teach, it is recommended that you find a program that can support you throughout the journey. There are programs that can help with everything from getting you a school placement to helping you apply for a visa, or even find housing.
Spain is known to be an affordable European destination. With the salary you’d make from teaching, you can easily support yourself and live well in Spain. Don’t be surprised if what you pay for rent in your home country will be your whole budget for a whole month in Spain. It really is that affordable! The fact that Spain is so affordable means that the standard of living also is high. Spanish people typically eat out multiple times a week. A full breakfast with coffee and juice will typically cost you around 4 euros. And a 3-course dinner (including wine and dessert), can run as low as 10 euros! Transportation is also very affordable, and in most places, it is not necessary to own a car as public transport is very accessible. If you want to visit other European countries, Spain is a great starting point. You might be able to go abroad for as low as 20 euros!
The biggest benefit of living in Spain? Spanish culture! Spanish people are known to be friendly and open. Teaching in Spain gives you the opportunity to live in Spain for an extended amount of time, meaning you really get to embrace yourself in the Spanish culture. For many, the biggest cultural difference is that Spain is much more laid-back. Spanish people value their free-time, and the work-life balance in Spain allows for much more of it. It is very typical to see people sitting at cafes for hours, enjoying their coffee and talking to friends. In the middle of the day, from around 2pm-5pm, shops are typically closed for “siesta”. This gives the workers time to go home and have a meal, and even a nap, before finishing work for the day. Here you can get a glimpse into what it’s like to work as an English teacher in Spain.
Let’s not forget about the many beautiful destinations you can explore in Spain. The country really has something to offer for everyone, whether you like large cities, beautiful islands, or impressive mountains. Check out this guide to see what parts of Spain suites you the best! The climate of Spain is mild, as it is located the very south of Europe. If you want summer all year long, the Canary Islands is a great choice. If you’re looking for a busy metropolitan city, try Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia. Want to experience traditional flamenco culture and explore beautiful beaches? Try Andalucía. If you love hiking and green scenery, try the North of Spain. And if you want to experience it all, Spain is well connected with trains, buses, and affordable flights.
Are you looking to become fluent in Spanish? If you speak a little, a lot or no Spanish at all, do not fear. Lots of people move to Spain with the goal to learn Spanish, and it really is the perfect place to learn. As mentioned, you don’t necessarily need to know Spanish to start teaching English in Spain. Regardless, you will be surrounded by Spanish-speakers all the time, so learning will only benefit you. All over Spain there are lots of language academies to help foreigners learn the language. There are also exchange programs where you can teach someone English, and in return, they teach you Spanish. This way, you won’t even have to pay for classes. Counting by number of native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. Learning Spanish will benefit you both for living in Spain, but also when traveling through South-America. In fact, you’ll be able to communicate with 471 million native speakers!
Spain is famous for its delicious cuisine. One of the best things about traveling in Spain is trying the different foods in the different regions. You have probably heard of Spain’s national dish, paella. This dish is originally from the Valencian region but is enjoyed all over Spain. Spain has a coastline of over 3000 miles, no wonder why a lot of the Spanish dishes, like bacalao, consist of seafood. Tapas in Spain is not only a meal, but a culture. All over Spain people gather in bars and restaurants to share small dishes, like croquetas, chorizo or tortilla de patatas. There are lots of must-try dishes in the Spanish cuisine, and there is lots to choose from, so you will not be bored.
By now you’re probably ready to pack-your bags and move to Spain. Just a friendly warning, once you come here it’s hard to leave!