How to Teach English in Spain for the Government

The Spanish government has paid and unpaid programs for English teachers in Spain.

Teaching English in Spain has many rewards such as touring historic places and improving your teaching skills. The Spanish government hires English teachers every year, so you too can get all the benefits of working for the government while living in scenic Spain. Government employment has many benefits, including competitive salaries, training programs, and vacation days and weekends off.

Things You'll Need

• List of schools and organizations that hire English teachers
• Work visa (if needed)

Instructions

1. Make a list of schools and other government organizations that hire English teachers in Spain. Find contact information for various schools and organizations that work with the Spanish government through sites such as teachabroad.com (see Resources). Call individual schools, especially ones in rural areas that travelers generally don't get to visit. Public and private schools in Spain are regulated by the government, so you'll receive government benefits.

2. Ask about benefits. English teaching positions in Spain generally fill fast, but you shouldn't feel pressure to take the first one you get. Feel free to haggle. Find out which ones offer benefits such as accommodations, food, and monthly stipends. Airfare reimbursement is extremely rare. But unless you're a certified English teacher looking for a permanent position, don't expect to negotiate for a higher salary. In Spain, permanent English teachers have at least a master's degree and teacher training. These teachers make 30,000 euros on average while non-permanent English teachers make 19,000 euros annually (2010 statistics).

3. Obtain and fill out all necessary forms. You may need a work visa which you can apply for at a local Spanish embassy after attaining a teaching position. Find out what types of visas are available (see Resources). In 2010, citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland don't need visas to work in Spain. To apply for a visa, you must submit a job application form, a job offer form, three passport photos, photocopied and original passport, and several other forms. Schools in Spain also require a criminal background check and transcripts from all educational institutions attended.

Tips & Warnings

• Knowledge of the Spanish language is helpful but not necessary. Learn at least basic Spanish phrases before going.

• Consider becoming a volunteer teacher. These positions are much easier to find than paid positions and you will still work for the government. Starting in 2009, the Spanish government announced that it created multiple positions for volunteer English teachers. These volunteers were rewarded with housing, insurance, monthly stipends, and trips to the Castile-Leon region on weekends. Volunteers work with three- to eight-year-old children.

• Save plenty of money before you go. Teaching English isn't lucrative, and Spain is expensive.

References

• "Matador Pulse": Now Hiring Travelers: Spanish Government Wants Your Language Skills
• Simply Hired: Average Teacher In Spain Salaries
• Cafe Babel: European run-down of teacher training and starting salaries
• Learn 4 Good: Spain Visa Information

Resources

• List of organizations for hiring teachers in Spain
• American and English-speaking schools listings
• List of all Embassies of Spain
• What to bring with you to Spain to apply for a work visa
• Types of visas for working in Spain