About Teaching English in Spain
To teach English in Spain, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree is not required but is strongly preferred. You must be a native English speaker as well. The average salary for an English teacher in Spain is about $800 - $1,500 USD per month.
Spain is one of the most popular locations in Europe and the world for teaching English abroad. Spain also represents one of the strongest job markets in Europe.
ITA's Top Teaching English in Spain Insights:
- At this time, a little over 10 million people (22% of the country) speak English in Spain, based on a report from the English Language study site History of English.
- According to the 2023 EF English Proficiency Index, Spain ranks 20th out of 27 in the European Union for English skills, meaning there is a lot of opportunity for advancement and teachers needed to make progress even though a slight improvement has occurred over the last decade.
- A 2021 Eurostat Report highlighted that 99-100% of primary school students in Spain were learning English as a foreign language.
- English teachers in Spain have a variety of options for finding work, this is one of the reasons why it's so popular among ITA graduates. From government and student visa programs to English summer camps and private tutoring in-person and online, TEFL Spain job opportunities are available for the taking.
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The majority of English teachers find work in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. The peak hiring seasons are September to early October and January. So English teachers in Spain should be done with their TEFL course and ready to begin interviewing during one of those peak hiring seasons.
Important Note About The Job Market In Spain For Americans: At this time, the vast majority of non-EU citizens, including Americans and Canadians, teach English through government programs or on a student visa.
American & non-EU citizens who want to teach in Barcelona typically do so as independent contractors and private tutors. Please speak with your ITA Admissions Advisor to learn more and create your plan.
Read More: What You Need to Know Before Moving to Get a Job Teaching English in Spain [The Ultimate Super Cheatsheet].
"I took the 11-Week Online TEFL Course in January of 2018. It was part-time and it was easy to complete one module a week over the span of 11 weeks. I had a great practicum experience also where I went to a community college down the road and completed my hours there." 
"(As part of the Auxiliares de Conversacion Program) I work 12 hours a week and make 700 euros a month. This salary is enough to live off of, but I also give private classes at 15€/hr as a supplement to be able to save more. I work at two public primary schools, teaching students from 6-12 years old. My role at the school is a language assistant, so I work alongside a head teacher and focus mainly on speaking skills." 
My Monthly Expenses
Founded in 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) is a world leader in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad and teaching English online. ITA offers accredited TEFL certification classes online and in 20+ locations worldwide and has received multiple awards and widespread recognition as one of the best TEFL schools in the world. ITA provides all students and graduates with lifetime job search guidance and has certified more than 40,000 English teachers. Our graduates are currently teaching in 80 countries worldwide.
