The 5 Best Programs to Teach English in Spain in 2025

What do new graduates, adult gappers, career changers, and retirees have in common? They can all teach in Spain! Teach in Spain programs place aspiring TEFL teachers of all ages in public and private schools across the country to act as language and culture assistants.

Spend a year (or longer!) doing something totally new and different – it may just change your life!

Program length: October to May
Location: Cities and towns across Spain
Program fees starting from: $1,799 USD
What’s included: teaching placement, visa support, personalized pre-departure guidance, in-country assistance, orientation, professional development certificate

Pros:

• Past participants met friends, roommates, and travel buddies through the program orientation and activities.
• Your program coordinator will work with you to find housing based on your preferences.

Cons:

• This program is only open to citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• Placement in a specific region or age level isn’t guaranteed so keep an open mind!

RVF International is a great choice for first-time travelers or those looking for more support while making a transition to teaching English in Spain. You’ll be assigned a dedicated coordinator who will be there to answer any and all questions you have either by email or video call. Before you go, they’ll walk you through the visa process and once you’re in Spain, the benefits keep coming.

Your program coordinator will work with you through the major tasks like finding housing, opening a bank account, and obtaining a residence card. No idea how to buy a Spanish SIM card? They’ll help you with that, too. If you’re traveling to Spain on your own, access to their GroupMe community will allow you to connect with other English teachers in your cohort. Who knows, you may find a new roommate or weekend travel buddy!

Program length: September to June or January to June
Location: Madrid
Program fees starting from: $2,350 USD
What’s included: teaching placement, pre-departure and in-country support, airport pickup, intensive orientation with hotel stay, health insurance, 24/7 emergency assistance

Pros:

• If you want a guaranteed placement in the community of Madrid, CIEE can make it happen!
• Your program fee includes a 4-day orientation with a hotel stay that will introduce you to Madrid, Spanish culture, and your future job.

Cons:

• Placements will be throughout the entire community of Madrid so you may have a long commute if you choose to live in the city center.
• CIEE provides housing resources but does not work 1-on-1 with participants to find an apartment.

CIEE’s Teach in Spain Program is a great fit for future language assistants who have their hearts set on living and working in Madrid. Placements are assigned solely in the Comunidad de Madrid which encompasses both the city center and surrounding suburbs and rural areas. Living in the capital means you’ll always have something fun to do!

CIEE provides an intensive four-day orientation for participants to introduce them to their new city and job. This is also the perfect time to meet fellow teachers (hello, new roommates!) and get a taste of Spanish culture through various activities, tours, meals, and excursions. If you’re interested in upping your teaching or Spanish skills, CIEE offers add-on TEFL courses and language immersion homestays before the school year starts.

Program length: October to May
Location: Cities and town across Spain
Program fees starting from: Free!
What’s included: teaching placement, orientation for some regions, health insurance

Pros:

• There is no fee to participate in NALCAP.
• Language assistants, also known as auxiliares or auxes, only work 4 days a week.

Cons:

• While you can express preferences for location and age group, placements are largely random.
• Some communities like the Comunidad Valenciana are notorious for paying late their assistants – bring extra savings!

The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) is the official Spanish government teach abroad program. Language assistants work in public school K-12 classrooms or escuelas oficiales de idiomas (government-sponsored local language academies for adults) sharing their country’s culture and encouraging conversation. Every school is different and some may expect assistants to take on a role closer to the main teacher by planning and delivering lessons during their class periods.

Every year, applications open sometime between late January and early February and close between late March and early April. Placements are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis so the faster you submit your completed application, the better your chance of getting a spot! There is no fee to participate in NALCAP but you’ll also have to be a lot more independent. You’ll need to secure your visa, find housing, and apply for your residence card on your own.

Program length: September to June
Location: Madrid
Program fees starting from: $700 USD
What’s included: teaching placement, university classes leading to an accredited master’s degree, visa support, funding support

Pros:

• Your teaching schedule fits around your university classes, allowing you to do both seamlessly.
• Limited fully funded spots are available to accepted students.

Cons:

• This program is limited to native speakers with passports from a handful of countries.
• Depending on where your teaching placement is and where you decide to live, you could be commuting extensively between the university, work, and home.

Earn a master’s degree and get classroom teaching experience all through the Teach and Learn Program at the University of Alcalá’s Instituto Franklin! If you’re serious about the education field, this program combines an affordable master’s program with a position as a language assistant at a private or semi-private K-12 school in Madrid.

Study bilingual or international education, school management, teaching Spanish as a foreign language, global higher ed, or edtech. Most classes are taught in English and are held either online or through a blended format. Put your classroom learning into action at the Instituto Franklin at the University of Alcalá!

Program length: Starts year-round, 8-12 months
Location: Barcelona or Madrid
Program fees starting from: $1,500 USD
What’s included: 4-week in-person TEFL training, local job search assistance, access to ITA’s international job board

Pros:

• Completing your TEFL certificate in Spain gives you time to acclimate to life abroad and get settled in your new city before starting work.
• If you have work permissions in Spain (dual Spanish and/or EU citizenship), ITA has connections with employers in Spain to get you started on your job search.

Cons:

• Job placements aren’t guaranteed in this TEFL-only program but ITA will help you navigate your options.
• ITA can offer visa assistance in order to work legally in Spain but their Teach & Learn program comes with additional fees.

International TEFL Academy (ITA), a globally recognized TEFL trainer, can give you the confidence you need to enter a classroom as an English teacher abroad. In-person courses in Madrid and Barcelona include 135 hours of online and classroom instruction and at least 6 hours of teaching practice with real local students. Small class sizes and intensive coursework led by experienced TEFL trainers mean you’ll be fully prepared to start your teaching career in Spain!

Although this program doesn’t lead to a visa and job placement, ITA has countless options that they can guide you through should you decide that teaching in Spain is right for you. Think of it as a trial period – if Spain isn’t a great fit, you’ll have access to ITA’s global job board and worldwide placement support.

City, suburbs, or pueblo: you can’t really go wrong when it comes to Spain. That said, some parts of Spain shine for their cultural offerings, sights, and activities. From the rainy, green north to the sun-baked south, you’re bound to find a place to call home.

• Madrid: Madrid is home to a large international community and no shortage of things to do, see, and eat. With major links to national and international travel, Madrid is a great home base if you want to live where the action is.
• Barcelona: Beautiful Barcelona is a top destination for beach lovers and anyone with an interest in Catalan language and culture. Famous for its iconic architecture by greats like Antoni Gaudí, Barcelona has a style and vibe all its own.
• Valencia: If you’re looking for gorgeous beaches and a slower pace of life, Valencia has all the amenities of a large city but with a laid-back vibe.
• Sevilla: Located in the heart of Andalucia in southern Spain, Sevilla is a vibrant city where you can find amazing tapas, music, dance, and a selection of quintessentially Spanish festivals like Feria de Abril.
• Cádiz: Home to a massive Carnival celebration second only to Rio de Janeiro, Cádiz is a popular destination for tourists and teachers alike. The city, ruled by the Moors for nearly 500 years, has Arab influences that can still be seen in the architecture, food, and music. This cultural fusion makes living in Cádiz a truly unique experience.
• Salamanca: Located a short hop from Madrid, Salamanca is a traditional student city steeped in history. The university dating back to the 13th century draws students from all over the world. Language assistants will have plenty of opportunities to meet international and local friends.

If you don’t have a passport that entitles you to live and work in the EU, getting a teaching job in Spain on your own, especially without a teaching license or experience, will be tough. That’s where teaching programs in Spain come to the rescue!

Follow these simple steps to start teaching English in Spain!

1. Meet the requirements. For most programs you’ll need at least a 2-year associate’s degree in any subject and be a native English speaker. Teaching experience and a TEFL certificate aren’t mandatory but they will certainly help your transition!
2. Decide where you want to teach. Some programs like CIEE (mentioned above!) can guarantee placement in specific cities or regions, but most will ask you to be flexible. Although you can pick your top regions on your application, you may end up somewhere you weren’t expecting. Embrace the change!
3. Choose a teaching program. Our list above, while not exhaustive, is a great place to start! When picking the perfect program, factor in things like how much support you want or need, budget, and extras like TEFL training or language study.
4. Apply.: Submit your application online and wait for the next steps! If you’ve chosen a teaching program other than NALCAP, you’ll receive guidance on how to get your visa before you go.
5. Get your visa & go! With the help of your program provider, you’ll submit documents to the local Spanish consulate so they can issue you a visa. Once you’ve got your visa in hand, buy your plane ticket and get ready for your new adventure.

For a more detailed look, check out our article on how to get a teaching job abroad in Spain!

Reviewing lesson plans while sipping a cafe con leche on a sunny terrace during your free period can be more than just a romantic daydream. Make it your reality by applying to a teaching program in Spain! Don’t let this exciting opportunity pass you by in 2025.