Teaching English in Spain: Traveling Teacher Series
Updated: May 15, 2022
How do you become an English teacher in Spain? I interviewed Stuart who moved from US to Spain to become an English teacher. He shares his story on how he got started, the details on the positions, and more!
The traveling teachers series is all about people who travel and you guessed it – teach! Each interview features a different teacher, traveling to a different place, and teaching a unique group of students. So often we hear of people teaching abroad, but what is it really like? How do you find opportunities?
There are many questions surrounding traveling and teaching. Through this series, I hope you are inspired by the good work going on around the world, learn, and start to think about ways you can travel and teach abroad yourself. I’m excited to share this story of teaching English in Ukraine with you today!
If you plan to be a traveling teacher, a TESOL certification is going to be necessary. I got mine through International Open Academy for just $19! Highly recommend this as a first step in your traveling teacher journey.
This week I am excited to bring you a story about teaching English in Spain! I loved this interview because it is from an awesome travel blogger who has been traveling for 10 years all over the world! Stuart has been traveling and teaching for the past 3 years while living in Spain. His blog, Just Travelling Through is about his experiences traveling all over the world and includes plenty of content on Spain!
What inspired you to start teaching English in Spain?
I started travelling around ten years ago and despite visiting many different places I always wanted the experience of living in another country. A friend I used to work with (who also got me into travelling) suggested a teaching course he’d done and shortly after I started my new career as an English teacher.
How long did you teach and where?
I worked in Spain for a little over two years. Mainly in the north of the country and also Valencia.
Are any of your expenses covered with the teaching experience?
No, even when I worked as a teaching assistant I never received anything other than my basic salary.
Are you able to spend time traveling and exploring the country while teaching?
Depending on the type of teaching job I’m doing, my traveling within Spain has mainly been during school holidays or somewhere more local on a weekend.
What are interactions with students like?
I’ve worked with a wide variety of levels and age groups in various settings. Usually in small groups of up to eight students, but they could be anywhere from children aged seven or eight up to adults. It’s mainly conversational focused with plenty of interactive tasks based around use of the language.
What is your favorite part of teaching English in Spain?
I really enjoy living in Spain. Around a year ago I was thinking about trying another country for a while, but I’m very settled in Spain now and love the easy way of life there. I also get to meet lots of people, whether it’s fellow teachers or the students. My most recent position (which I have done in several sites) involves working with university aged students for a week.
It’s very intensive and we get to know the students very well before we start again the following week. I still have contact with several of them and it’s nice to have someone to show me around if I ever visit their hometown.
What is one piece of advice you have for someone who wants to teach abroad?
Get involved with the local area. Whether that’s seeing towns and other sites in the region or learning the language. Some are easier to learn than others, but being able to communicate in the local language with help you settle better.
You can find more information about Stuart and Spain on his website, Just Travelling Through and find him on Instagram at @stu_fahy if you have more questions about teaching English in Spain!