Spain Work Permit

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]

Spanish language schools often prefer to employ teachers from within the EU to avoid the hassle of applying for a work permit. Despite this, thousands of non-EU citizens still head to Spain every year to work as ESL teachers. A large proportion of these enter the country on a standard tourist visa and work illegally without a work permit. Although illegal, this practice is very common and rarely causes any problems for the teacher. However, one alternative for non-EU citizens to consider is to apply for a student visa which also allows you to legally teach a set number of hours each week. To get the process underway you need to visit a Spanish Embassy at least three months before your planned departure date. At the embassy you can pick up an application form, verify the exact...  [Read more]

Having adequate health insurance is clearly an important issue wherever you are living and working around the world. Whether health insurance is covered by your employer or not is something that varies from one situation to the next so it is important to confirm this whenever you are interviewed for a teaching position. Here we take a brief look at health insurance within the ESL teaching world. In most of the big ESL job markets across Asia such as China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Vietnam, health insurance is typically included in a teaching contract. In most cases the cost will be fully covered by the employer, although a small sum might be deducted from your salary in certain situations. In other less developed markets, health insurance is less likely to be...  [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]

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]

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]

Although there are several countries around the world that require teachers to have a degree in order to qualify for a work permit or visa, there are still many other great destinations where employers are happy to take on teachers without one. Often the key is to be flexible about your destination and to go where the demand for your services is high. Whether you have a degree or not, completing an internationally accredited TESOL certification course before you start applying for jobs will undoubtedly help you in your job search. The vast majority of employers worldwide now expect their potential teachers to have undergone some form of formal teacher training before they set foot in the classroom. Unfortunately, the regulations have been tightened in China in recent times,...  [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]

One of the many benefits of teaching English abroad is the unique opportunity it provides for learning a second language of your own at the same time. If you want to improve your Spanish language skills or start them from scratch, there are several great destinations to choose from. Around half a billion people speak Spanish as their first language spread over twenty countries worldwide, and many of these have a decent market for foriegn ESL teachers. For many people who want to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and language, the obvious choice might well be Spain itself. The country is well known for its historical sites, stunning beaches, and its relaxed attitude to life. Jobs are also easy to find in most major cities and popular tourist resorts, although the largest...  [Read more]

Many people decide that an in-class TESOL certification course is the best way to prepare for life in a foreign classroom, however, is it best to take it within your home country or once you arrive at your ultimate teaching destination? Either choice has its pros and cons, but on this page we focus on the reasons why taking a TESOL course before you leave home might be the best option for you. If you are planning to head to one of the most popular teaching destinations there is a good chance that you can secure a job before you get on the plane. In areas where demand for teachers is particularly high, employers routinely advertise vacant positions online via job boards and recruitment companies. If your application is successful you will typically have an interview over a webcam...  [Read more]

The dedicated and friendly team at our tesol course in Barcelona will do all they can to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable experience in the amazing city of Barcelona. A warm welcome is guaranteed and you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow course students with a welcome dinner. We also arrange a whole host of activities for your spare time, including sailing trips and water-sports in the summer, skiing in the winter and trips to many beautiful beaches and famous vineyards. You can also relax in the areas numerous cafes and sample authentic Spanish tapas. Although the TESOL course in Barcelona is intensive, we will endeavor to make sure you have every opportunity to discover and fully experience this truly wonderful part of the world. Barcelona is the heart of Catalonia,...  [Read more]

There are many different locations available to anyone who is looking to teach English abroad. Some people make their decision based on the potential salaries on offer, while others might be more focused on cultural aspects or lifestyle. There are pros and cons to be considered for every region and individual country, so below we have outlined the most popular options to help you towards your final decision. In terms of job numbers, Asia is by far the most popular region for ESL teachers. This huge continent offers a wide variety of opportunities across all kinds of environments. Jobs are plentiful in major modern cities such as Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, while those looking for a slower pace of life are equally spoilt for choice in parts of Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, to mention...  [Read more]

ITTT is dedicated to assisting you throughout your TESOL training and to providing you with a means of support during your ensuing teaching career. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below. Our TESOL FAQs should be able to answer most of your questions, but if you have any other queries do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them using the form at the bottom of this page. What does TESOL mean?   The acronym TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The term is commonly used when referring to certification courses that provide the skills necessary to teach the English language to non-native speakers in your own country or abroad. Read more What is the difference between TESOL...  [Read more]