Teach English in Spain 2027-28
Paid Language Assistant roles in 200+ private schools. No fees, no Spanish needed.
Teach English in Spain at private schools nationwide
Join over 200 private schools across Spain as an English Language Assistant. You'll lead conversation classes with small groups, earn a monthly stipend, live with a Spanish host family or independently, and gain a university-recognised certificate, with no programme fees.
- No programme fees
- Monthly stipend
- Open to all degrees
- No Spanish required
Why teach English in Spain with this programme?
Unlike many teach-abroad programmes, there are no fees to join. You get a monthly stipend, a choice of accommodation and support from the moment you're accepted until the end of your placement.
Monthly stipend of €409 to €1,306
Enough to live in Spain as a young professional. The amount depends on your weekly hours, conversation group sizes and accommodation choice.
No programme fees
You secure your place with a refundable €850 deposit, returned when you complete your contract.
Host family or your own place
Live with a Spanish host family from your school community, or independently.
ESL Graduate Certificate
Complete a course through a Spanish university, funded by the programme, and gain formal recognition.
Spanish healthcare
Full coverage under the Spanish National Healthcare System.
Paid school holidays
Paid school holidays throughout the academic year, excluding the summer break.
Visa and pre-departure help
Guidance with your visa and preparing to move, then in-country support from the programme team.
Your own school tutor
Ongoing support and feedback from a tutor at your placement school.
Placements across Spain
Over 200 private schools nationwide, from Madrid and Barcelona to Andalucía and Navarra.
What it's like to teach English in Spain
Programme participants share their experience of Spanish life and the classroom.
"It has been the joy of a lifetime getting to know my students and sharing my language and culture with them."
Emilia O., Paracuellos de Jarama, Madrid · Language Assistant 2024-26
"It feels as though I have become a part of a big family at the school I teach at."
Ilha D., Terrassa, Barcelona · Language Assistant 2024-26
"I come from a coastal town in Massachusetts, and I am teaching in beautiful and sunny western Andalucía. I've escaped a snow-filled winter!"
Liz, Aljaraque, Andalucía
English teaching jobs in Spain: what to expect
As a Language Assistant, your goal is to help students speak English confidently and fluently. You'll work closely with classroom teachers to create a lively, supportive classroom where students want to take part.
What you'll do
- Lead conversation activities with small groups of up to 3, 8 or 15 students
- Support English lessons alongside the classroom teacher
- Help with pronunciation, sentence structure and oral exam preparation
- Support other subjects taught in English, such as science, art and IT
- Share your culture and practise conversation with other teachers
- Work with students aged 3 to 18
Programme dates and hours
Start: September, October or January
Finish: late May or mid-June
Hours: 20 to 24 teaching hours a week
Recruitment is ongoing, so you can apply now. If you'd like an earlier start, being flexible about location can help you get a placement sooner.
What you'll gain
- Real classroom experience in a professional school setting
- A funded ESL Graduate Certificate from a Spanish university
- Transferable skills such as teamwork, confidence, project management and cultural awareness
- Fluency in Spanish, spoken by over 580 million people worldwide
- A CV that shows you can take on new challenges and adapt to a new culture
- The satisfaction of helping students learn an important skill
Accommodation: host family or independent living
Live with a Spanish host family
Most Language Assistants choose to live with a host family from their school community. Living with locals rather than other travellers gives you an authentic, first-hand experience of Spanish life, helps your Spanish come on quickly, and many participants stay in touch with their host families for years.
Or live independently
If you'd rather have your own space, you can live independently instead. Rent is then your responsibility, and your stipend is set according to the accommodation option you choose.
About the €850 deposit: when you're accepted, you pay a refundable €850 deposit to secure your place. It shows your commitment and helps the local team plan, and it's refunded in full when you complete your teaching contract. It is not refundable if you cancel or withdraw from the programme for any reason.
English teacher requirements in Spain
The programme is open to graduates of any subject, and you don't need previous teaching experience or any Spanish. Selection is competitive, with around one in three applicants accepted.
- A bachelor's degree of at least three years in any subject, completed in 2023 or later (or a master's in Education or Linguistics)
- Native-level English
- A clean criminal record, as you'll be working with children
- At least a 120-hour TEFL certificate or equivalent. See which course fits ↓
- Enthusiasm for working with children
- An adaptable attitude and openness to new challenges
Start your 120-hour TEFL course today
You'll need at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate before you arrive in Spain. Both courses below meet the programme's requirement, are studied online at your own pace, and you can apply while you're still studying.
120hr Professional TEFL
£99
Built for first-time teachers, with the knowledge and skills you need to start your new career.
- Most people finish in about 3 weeks
- Study around work, your degree or family
- FCDO-legalisable certificate, plus a shareable e-certificate
- Free job placement support
140hr Combined TEFL
£199
Everything in the 120-hour course, plus 20 hours of live teaching with real learners before you stand in front of a Spanish class.
- 20 live teaching hours included
- The online part still fits around your life
- FCDO-legalisable certificate, plus a shareable e-certificate
- Free job placement support
Already booked the 120-hour course? You can add the 20-hour teaching practicum separately for classroom practice before you go, or compare every TEFL package side by side.
Teaching and living in Spain
Spain is social and lively, with deep history, famous food and a relaxed pace of life. With paid school holidays during the year, there's time to explore far beyond your placement town.
Where you could teach
- Madrid and the surrounding towns
- Barcelona and Catalonia
- Andalucía, Navarra and many more regions
Weekends
- Explore Gaudí's Barcelona and Madrid's Gran Vía
- Head to the beaches of the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca
- Try tapas, festivals and local traditions
Getting around
- High-speed trains link the major cities
- Buses and metros make local travel simple
- Cheap flights to the rest of Europe
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Fees | No programme fees, just a €850 deposit that's refunded when you complete your contract |
| Language | No Spanish needed to apply. Living with a host family is a quick way to pick it up |
| Healthcare | Full coverage under the Spanish National Healthcare System |
| Support | Visa and pre-departure help, an in-country team and a tutor at your school |
How to become a Language Assistant in Spain
Get TEFL qualified
Complete your 120-hour TEFL online. You can apply while you study.
Apply to TEFL UK
Fill in the quick form below. Our team checks your eligibility and prepares your application.
Selection
If you're shortlisted, you'll go through the programme's selection process and be matched to a school based on your profile.
Secure your place
Pay the refundable €850 deposit, then get help with your visa and preparing to move.
Fly to Spain
Start in September, October or January, with in-country support and your school tutor.
Teaching English in Spain: FAQs
How much money can you make teaching English in Spain?
On this Language Assistant programme you receive a monthly stipend of €409 to €1,306. The amount depends on your weekly teaching hours, the size of your conversation groups and whether you live with a host family or independently. Full-time teachers at private language academies usually earn more, but rent and bills then come out of their pay.
Are there any fees to join the programme?
No. There are no programme fees. Successful candidates pay a €850 deposit to secure their place, which is refunded when they complete their teaching contract. The deposit is not refundable if you cancel or withdraw from the programme.
What qualifications are required to be an English teacher in Spain?
For this programme you need a bachelor's degree of at least three years in any subject, completed in 2023 or later, native-level English, a clean criminal record and a 120-hour TEFL certificate or equivalent. You don't need previous teaching experience.
Would I need to know Spanish to teach English in Spain?
No. Lessons are in English, so you don't need any Spanish to apply. Picking up some Spanish will make daily life easier, and living with a host family is one of the quickest ways to learn.
When does the programme start and how long does it last?
Placements begin in September, October or January and run until late May or mid-June. You'll teach 20 to 24 hours a week, with paid school holidays during the year.
Where will I live?
You can live with a Spanish host family from your placement school or independently. If you choose to live independently, the rent is your responsibility.
What are the best things about teaching English in Spain?
Spain is social and lively, with deep history, famous food and a relaxed lifestyle. As a Language Assistant you get classroom experience, a funded university certificate and the chance to live like a local rather than a tourist.
Are teaching jobs in Spain plentiful?
Yes. English is taught in Spanish schools from an early age, so demand for English speakers is steady. This programme works with over 200 private schools across the country, but selection is competitive and only around one in three applicants is accepted, so it's worth applying early.
Who will I teach?
You'll work with students aged 3 to 18, running conversation activities with small groups of up to 3, 8 or 15 students and supporting lessons alongside the classroom teacher.
Want to teach in Spain?
Recruitment for 2027-28 is open now, and places are competitive. Apply below, and if you still need your TEFL, you can start the 120-hour course today. Looking for other roles? See all our teaching jobs in Spain.
Don't have TEFL?
Get qualified online from £99.
Find out which TEFL course is right for you.