How To Work In Spain As An American

If you are considering Spain as a location for teaching English, you certainly won't be alone as it has long been one of the most popular destinations in Europe. However, before you buy a plane ticket why not take a look at Latin America as many teachers find that this amazing region is actually a better option for them. For many people, the opportunity to learn a new language is one of the great benefits of teaching English abroad. When it comes to learning Spanish, the assumption that Spain is the best place to do so is certainly a common one. However, in reality the type of Spanish used in Spain actually uses accents and slang terms that are vastly different to the language spoken in other Spanish speaking countries. In fact, many native Spanish speakers from outside of Spain...  [Read more]

Spain is popular with foreign ESL teachers for many reasons including the consistently booming job market, the easy going culture, the warm climate, and the great food. Jobs can be found all year-round in many areas, but are you eligible to work there legally? The simple answer is no, you do not require a degree in order to legally teach English in Spain. There are no government requirements for teachers to have any kind of academic background and the demand is so high in many areas that employers are equally unconcerned about your degree status. Generally speaking, schools in Spain prefer native English speakers in their classrooms as this is what most local students are looking for. However, they will not simply hire you on that basis without having completed some form of teacher...  [Read more]

Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world which means there is a constant demand for English language instruction within the tourism sector. Across the country, you will find hundreds of privately run language schools and a government sponsored program that recruits teachers to work in the public school system. The large markets for ESL teachers are located in big cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia, although a smaller number of options can also be found in other towns, cities and beach resorts in all areas of the country. How much you can expect to earn while teaching in Spain will vary significantly depending on several factors such as your previous classroom experience, your academic qualifications, the area where you choose to work, and the type...  [Read more]

Whether you are planning a gap year abroad or looking for something more permanent, teaching English in Europe is certainly an idea that is well worth exploring. Every year thousands of ordinary people just like you pack their bags and head off to this extraordinary continent in search of fun, adventure, and a cultural experience that will stay with them for life. As long as you have a solid understanding of the English language you are eligible, although most employers will expect you to also complete a TESOL certification course before you start teaching. Across the continent there are many countries to choose from, all which have their own benefits to offer. However, to give you a head start we have put together the following list of countries that we think are the best for...  [Read more]

The Cultural Ambassadors Program (also known as the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program) is a well established scheme that has been run by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for several years. Around 2,500 North Americans are recruited every year and placed into elementary or secondary schools where they work as assistant language teachers alongside a local teacher. Spain is notoriously difficult when it comes to getting an official work visa for non-European teachers, so this program provides a great opportunity for Americans and Canadians to legally work in this very popular destination. The program is restricted to American and Canadian citizens who are aged between 21 and 60. There is a separate upper age limit of 35 for placement in the...  [Read more]

If you have researched teaching English abroad, you might have found stories suggesting that it is impossible for US citizens to find ESL teaching jobs in Europe. However, this is not the case as a high demand for foreign teachers in many countries means there are plenty of great opportunities for American teachers in Europe. Language schools in many areas are always on the lookout for native English speaking Americans with a TESOL qualification to fill their vacant positions. At anytime you will find thousands of US citizens teaching in major European cities such as Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Moscow, and Prague. In many Western European countries there is a preference for British English in some schools and excessive bureaucracy can also be responsible for restrictions on US born...  [Read more]

Seville has an exquisite taste for all the pleasurable things in life. Famous for giving the world the bull fight, tapas and the seducing Flamenco, this charming city provides a fascinating, enjoyable insight into a traditional, passionate Spanish city. Our TESOL school in Seville aligned with the Blue Future School and Blue companies, who have jobs available teaching all ages and levels. So for a fantastic location with jobs to be found everywhere, Seville is perfect for you. Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville emerged as a Roman settlement over 2000 years ago. Its location was hugely important as Seville was the last navigable port in spain with access to the Atlantic Ocean. This made Seville an imperative post, for both the trading routes with North Africa and the...  [Read more]

A large number of people every year choose Europe as their destination for teaching English abroad, the majority from North America. However, for many it can be quite daunting as very few employers look to hire their teachers in advance. Unlike in some other regions such as Asia and the Middle East, foreign teachers generally have to fly into their country of choice and then start looking for a teaching job by contacting potential employers in person. Although this approach works fine for most teachers, there are a few other options for those who want a job lined up in advance. Russia has seen a strong rise in demand for TESOL qualified teachers in recent years and average salaries have risen accordingly. It is also becoming more popular with teachers as a large proportion of...  [Read more]

Depending on their chosen location, ESL teachers can find jobs working in a wide range of settings, including schools, institutes, academies, colleges, and universities. The largest number of positions, particularly in Europe and Latin America, are found in private language schools. Government run public schools are also a good choice in some countries, particularly in Asia. Private language schools provide the largest percentage of all ESL teaching jobs worldwide. This type of school can vary in size from a single classroom with one teacher, right through to large chains that operate in several countries and employ hundreds of teachers. Some will offer classes to all age groups and language abilities, while others might specialize in young learners or business related English....  [Read more]

Spain attracts a large number of ESL teachers from all over the world due to the culture and healthy job market. The type of visa you require varies depending on your nationality, so we recommend that you check with the Spanish embassy website before making any plans to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Spain is a long-standing member of the European Union so anyone with an EU passport can live and work freely in the country without a visa. However, EU citizens still need to apply for a residency permit and a tax number as soon as they arrive. The application process for this is generally very straightforward and your employer will normally help you with it. The most common route for non-EU citizens is to enter Spain on a 90-day tourist visa that is issued on arrival...  [Read more]

Making the decision to leave behind your old life to head overseas as a TESOL qualified teacher will probably be one of the best you ever make. However, you then need to decide which TESOL certification course will suit your plans and give you the level of qualification and knowledge you require to hit the ground running. This is not always a straightforward choice as there are many courses to choose from and each one has its own length of study. All of ITTT’s in-class TESOL courses require a full-time commitment of four weeks at one of our training centers. If you are able to fit it into your schedule and you have sufficient funds to cover all the necessary expenses, this type of course certainly provides the most rounded and in-depth option out there. In theory, you could...  [Read more]

In the field of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), there is a high demand for qualified teachers worldwide. Understanding where TESOL teachers are most needed can help prospective educators focus their job search and potentially secure more opportunities. Here is an overview of some of the regions where TESOL teachers are in high demand: Asia is a hotspot for TESOL opportunities. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand have a growing demand for English language instruction. In China alone, the government has placed a strong emphasis on English education, leading to a surge in TESOL job openings. South Korea also offers numerous positions in public schools and private language institutes. Additionally, Japan has a strong market for English...  [Read more]

If you have already graduated from one of our TEFL certification courses and have yet to decide on where you would like to teach, or you are thinking about signing up for a course and are looking for an insight into the most popular teaching destinations, then the following guides might provide some welcome inspiration. Below you will find dozens of countries from all corners of the world where there are plenty of good opportunities for teaching EFL. Click on the countries that interest you to access a wide range of travel tips, country facts and other useful information. Living and Teaching English in France - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Living and Teaching English in Spain - Habits, Customs & Curiosities Want to see more infographics on TESOL and TEFL? Check...  [Read more]

When it comes to combining a passion for teaching English as a foreign language (TESOL) with a love for adventure sports, there are several countries around the world that offer exciting opportunities. Whether you enjoy skiing, surfing, hiking, or any other adrenaline-pumping activity, teaching English abroad can provide you with the chance to explore new cultures while pursuing your outdoor interests. One of the top countries for TESOL teachers who enjoy adventure sports is New Zealand. Known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities, New Zealand offers a wide range of activities such as skiing, bungee jumping, hiking, and surfing. With a high demand for English language teachers, particularly in cities like Auckland and Queenstown, you can combine work with...  [Read more]

If you choose to take an online TESOL course you will have the luxury of choosing exactly where and when you study. You can work through your course at home in the evenings and on the weekends, or you could fit in what you can during your lunch break or when traveling to and from work. This kind of flexibility is one of the main reasons why our online courses are so popular. However, if you choose to attend one of our training centers to complete an in-class TESOL course, you will also have plenty of options. Our in-class course is currently available in a number of different countries, in most corners of the world. You could choose the training center that is closest to your home location, or you could choose one that is located close to where you would most like to live and work...  [Read more]

In many areas jobs are available throughout the year due to the high demand for foreign teachers. However, in some regions and individual countries there are specific hiring seasons when the bulk of the jobs are filled. If you are set on teaching in a particular country it is vital that you know the best time to start the job hunting process. In general, private language centers across much of Asia will hire teachers at anytime of the year. This applies to all of the most popular destinations in the region such as China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and Taiwan. The situation in public schools is often a different story. In South Korea, the EPIK Program recruits thousands of native-English speakers each year to work in state run schools. The interview process for this scheme...  [Read more]

Among the many benefits of teaching English abroad is the ability to select not only the region in which you want to work, but also the specific country or city. Some teachers are drawn to the history and culture of Europe, while others are drawn to exotic destinations in Asia or Latin America. However, before you book your plane ticket, keep in mind that the requirements for foreign teachers differ wildly between countries, which may limit your options. You should conduct extensive research to determine whether any of the following issues apply to your preferred destination. In some countries, language schools can only hire teachers who are citizens of a native English-speaking country due to visa restrictions. These are generally the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom,...  [Read more]

In some countries where teaching ESL is popular there is a clear path for obtaining a work visa or permit that allows you to live and work long term, while in others the process can be overly complicated, expensive or simply nonexistent. However, as the demand for teachers is so high in many countries, the need for a work visa can often be ignored by employers. The truth is that thousands of people are currently working as ESL teachers in countries worldwide without a formal work visa or work permit. In two of the most popular ESL teaching destinations in Europe, Italy and Spain, it is very common for Americans and other non-EU nationals to start work as teachers with nothing more than a tourist visa in their passport. A standard tourist visa is valid for 90 days and there is no...  [Read more]

In the vast majority of cases, ESL teachers will need to obtain some form of visa to enter their destination country. What specific visa you need is wholly dependent on the rules and regulations of your host country, so you should contact the relevant embassy or take a look at their website to make sure you have all the correct information. Below we outline the most common forms of visa you are likely to come across. Tourist visas are typically issued to people who only plan on a short visit and do not intend to work or study. This type of visa comes in many different forms depending on the host country and your own country of origin. The 'upon entry' tourist visa is the most common and this is issued upon arrival at the airport immigration desk. For example, US citizens arriving in...  [Read more]

This is one of the easiest to answer of all the many questions we get asked by our potential trainees. The straightforward answer is that in most regions the demand for TESOL qualified teachers is very high year-round and in some areas it is even possible to pick from a range of options as the number of vacant positions outweighs the number of available teachers. While for many of our TESOL trainees the aim is to live and work as a teacher overseas, there are also those who intend on staying at home. There are plenty of options for teachers in countries such as Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA, as increasing levels of immigration have led to a huge growth in demand for English language instruction. Although opportunities do exist in these countries, newly qualified teachers...  [Read more]