Teach in Spain: Which Program Should I Choose?

If you’re interested in coming to Spain as an English teacher, you’re in luck. There are plenty of teach in Spain programs, all of which are looking for native English speakers. The only problem is which program should you choose?

The five teach in Spain programs I’ve listed below are specifically for Language Assistants, or Auxiliares de Conversación. Candidates are allowed to enter Spain on a long term student visa. Legally, assistants are not working, but completing an internship, or prácticas. All five programs offer assistants a monthly stipend and health insurance.

The programs require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree (in any field) or be in their junior or senior year of college.

As a Language Assistant, you are not the lead teacher in a classroom. You don’t talk to parents, grade, or discipline. You are to assist in whichever way your school requires. But you are always supposed to have a teacher in the room with you (…legally. In practice, it becomes a bit iffy).

If you are looking to become a full-time, lead teacher, these programs are not for you. There are other (more difficult) avenues to find full-time teaching jobs which I will outline in a future post.

Lastly, there are more programs than the ones listed below. I’ve chosen these because I have done them myself, or know someone that has.

Ministry of Education

Overview: Language assistants teach in public schools around the country.

During the application process you list your preferred regions or cities, and while those preferences will be taken into account, you do not get the final say.

In my experience, this has been the easiest of all programs to get into and has had the least responsibilities in the classroom. It is an easy way to live in Spain.

Applications are considered not by merit or experience, but on a first-come first-serve basis. That means you’ll need to keep an eye on the website and apply as soon as the application period opens. For the 2020-2021 school year, applications open January 30!

Stipend: €700-€1000 per month, plus private health insurance

Hours: 12-16 hours per week

Program Fee: There is no program fee.

Application Period: Typically from January to April. You can find more information, here.

Who is this program good for?

The Ministry program is best for candidates that don’t care where they are placed (schools are located throughout the country) and are willing to move to Spain with little to no support.

Teaching experience is not necessary. And, a major con, is that certain regions have done a poor job of paying their auxiliars on time. This did happen to me when living in Andalucía, but not in Cantabria or Madrid.

CIEE

Overview: This is the same program as the Ministry of Education with a sizable fee and a guaranteed placement in Madrid.

CIEE acts as a third party offering 24-hour support, a more extensive orientation, and language immersion classes. They even pick you up from the airport.

Stipend: €900-€1000 per month, plus private health insurance

Hours: 16 hours per week

Program Fee: $1,200-$4,100 USD

Application Period: Varies based on the program. You can find more information, here.

Who is this program good for?

CIEE is best for candidates that are set on living in Madrid, speak little to no Spanish, and want 24-hour support. You’ll need to save up to afford the program’s hefty price tag.

If you know some Spanish and are OK jumping into a new country with little support, then scroll right past CIEE and apply to the Ministry program directly.

Update (March 2020): Due to the coronavirus, CIEE has dropped all of it’s language assistants (who will now report directly to the Ministry of Education) for the current school year. No more 24-hour assistance and the program fee won’t be refunded. No word on the impact this will have on future years of the program.

UCETAM

Overview: Language Assistants are placed in private or semi-private schools, called concertados, within the Community of Madrid.

In my experience, this program is the most difficult to get into. They tend to select candidates with prior teaching or auxiliar experience. Their application is lengthy and time-consuming and potential candidates are then called for an interview.

This is also one of the programs that demands the most out of it’s auxiliars. Again, this does depend on the school, but you can expect to completely plan and teach your classes (though the lead classroom teacher will still be in the room with you).

Stipend: €800-€1300 per month, plus free lunch and public health insurance

Hours: 18-26 hours per week

Program Fee: €150 deposit which is payable once you are accepted into the program. It is refunded once you’ve completed a portion of the school year.

Application Period: Typically from January to February. You can find more information, here.

Who is this program good for?

This program is best for candidates with previous teaching or auxiliar experience who are looking for more responsibility in the classroom.

UCETAM assistants spend more time planning and developing lessons than their counterparts in the Ministry program. Additionally, assistants are covered under public heath insurance which means you will be issued a Spanish social security number. This is beneficial if you are planning on staying in Spain long term.

BEDA

Overview: Language Assistants are placed in Catholic private or semi-private schools, or concertados, mostly located in the Community of Madrid. Though there are locations throughout the country. Assistants must also attend university classes a few times a month.

This program is very similar to UCETAM in the scope of responsibilities and higher degree of difficulty to get accepted.

BEDA looks for candidates with experience teaching and/or living in Spain. Potential assistants are then called for an interview via Skype (if you are outside of Spain) or in Madrid (if you live within the country).

Stipend: €800-€1200 per month, plus private and public health insurance

Hours: 18-24 hours per week

Program Fee: There is a €175 non-refundable enrollment fee once you are accepted into the program.

Application Period: Typically from November to May. You can find more information, here.

Who is this program good for?

Similar to UCETAM, BEDA is a great option for candidates looking for more responsibility in the classroom.

The added university classes are a plus for assistants with little experience that are eager to learn more about teaching, but may feel repetitive for veteran teachers.

Additionally, assistants are covered under both private and public heath insurance and will receive a Spanish social security number.

Instituto Franklin’s Teach & Learn

Overview: This is a straight up Master’s program affiliated with the Universidad de Alcalá, located a quick 40-minute train ride from Madrid. Classes are held online throughout the week, and in person on Friday evenings.

During the week, master’s students are language assistants in either public schools (affiliated with the Ministry program) or private schools. Because classes are in person on Fridays, all schools are located within the Community of Madrid.

You choose between three funding options which determine whether you work in a public or private school, your monthly stipend, and the cost of tuition.

• Option A: Students work in private or semi-private schools for 18-26 hours a week. Students do not pay tuition, but are instead given a lower monthly stipend of €600-€800.
• Option B: Students work in public schools for 16 hours a week. They receive the full monthly stipend of €1000, but must pay tuition (€3,800).
• Option C: Students already have a job in a teaching-related field. They must pay full tuition and the cost of health care (€4,200).

Students receive a Master’s Propio, which is the less official of the two types of Master’s offered in Spain. However, it is still a Master’s.

Alumni who wish to get it validated in the United States can do so through a third party company, and it transfers over as a normal Master’s degree.

Stipend: €600-€1000 per month, plus private health insurance

Hours: 16-26 hours per week

Program Fee: Tuition ranges from €0-€4200 depending on your funding option.

Application Period: Typically from November to February. You can find more information, here.

Who is this program good for?

Anyone interested in learning more about teaching and earning a Master’s degree for a fraction of what it would cost in the US. Instituto Franklin offers a range of Master’s programs, so you should be able to find one that interests you and compliments your level of teaching experience.

After completing the one-year Master’s program, students are able to renew with their schools (based on availability). There is also a robust alumni program that frequently publishes job offers and allows for alumni to network around the world.

Which program is right for you?

I’ve had great experiences  teaching in Spain with CIEE, UCETAM and the Ministry, and I was grateful to have earned a Master’s with Instituto Franklin. The only program I don’t have direct experience with is BEDA.

I have zero regrets. Each teach in Spain program offered me new and interesting challenges. But most importantly, they allowed me to experience life in Spain. And all of these programs will give you that. Decide what you’re looking to get out of your time in Spain and which program best suites you.

Best of luck!

If you need more convincing, click here to read 5 Reasons to Teach in Spain.