How to Teach English in Barcelona: A Step-By-Step Guide

For those wanting to live and work in Barcelona, one of the best ways is to get a job teaching English in the city.

The demand for good teachers in Barcelona is increasing, giving TEFL teachers plenty of employment opportunities. And with a dizzying mix of cultural activities and an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, there’s no wonder so many aspiring English teachers want to pursue the dream of living and working in Barcelona.

Still, amid the excitement, the idea of moving to Barcelona to teach English can be daunting. That’s where we come in!

As one of the most respected TEFL academies in the city, we’ve helped thousands of students settle in the city and launch their TEFL teaching careers in Barcelona. Here’s our step-by-step guide on all you need to know about how to teach English in Barcelona.   

1. Take stock of your qualifications and skills

To become a TEFL teacher in Barcelona, you’ll need certain qualifications. Firstly, a high level of English is mandatory. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an English native speaker – in fact, non-native speaking English teachers make up about 20% of our students at TEFL Iberia. 

Previous teaching experience can certainly come in handy, but isn’t a requirement – a good TEFL academy will help you gain valuable skills and experience, giving you the foundational tools to have confidence in the classroom. 

Also, while you don’t need a university degree, it can help you broaden your job prospects later down the line.

And while you don’t need to have Spanish language skills, learning some Spanish will enrich your experience in Barcelona and make it easier to empathise with your future students, helping you become a better teacher.

2. Find a good TEFL academy in Barcelona

Many of the best TEFL courses in Spain are based in Barcelona. With a blend of theoretical learning, practical assignments, and teaching practice, a quality TEFL programme will give you the skills needed to teach TEFL, along with the qualifications to teach English as a foreign language anywhere in the world.

Make sure your chosen TEFL course is fully accredited and don’t forget to consider other factors like visa help, accommodation services and post graduation employment assistance.

3. Get set up in the city

If you’re established in Barcelona, skip this step. However, for anyone moving to the city, getting your admin sorted is essential. Not only that, it can be frustrating.

Get your student visa

Firstly, if you’re moving from outside the EU, you’ll need to get your student visa sorted. This can take up to 60 days and we recommend starting the process three months before you’re due to move.

Our dedicated Student Visa Programme is designed to secure you that all-important visa, meaning you can live, work and study in the city for up to a year.

Find a place to live

Finding accommodation in Barcelona is not an easy task! With rental prices on the up and huge demand for apartments in the city, finding your dream apartment can be stressful. 

A TEFL academy can help with this process. At TEFL Iberia, we help you settle into the city straight away with a comfortable, excellent-value accommodation that’s within easy reach of our school.

Get a bank account and ID

You’ll need to open a Spanish bank account, which we can also help with. And then there’s the infamous NIE or, if you’re a Brit moving to Barcelona post-Brexit, the TIE. We can assist in getting this essential ID card, from booking the appointment to giving advice and guidance throughout the process.

4. Pass your TEFL course with flying colours!

In just four weeks, you can gain an internationally recognised TEFL certification, as well as the skills and knowledge to launch your TEFL teaching career in Barcelona.

Our Trinity CertTESOL course is the most complete foundational programme for new English teachers and is recognised across the globe. After 160 hours of study, you’ll be fully qualified to find work here in Barcelona and beyond.

You can complement this course with advanced English teaching courses where you can develop your skills and knowledge, while cementing your own personal teaching style.

5. Scope out the Barcelona TEFL jobs market

A growing demand for English language teachers in the city has given Barcelona a very healthy TEFL jobs market, and completing your TEFL course and gaining the relevant qualification will enable you to take various career paths.

At TEFL Iberia, we run a job-search workshop as part of our Trinity CertTESOL course. This means you can even look for a job while you’re studying. We also have an extensive network of contacts and can help with job placements.  In fact, many schools and academies in Barcelona contact us directly looking for recent TEFL Iberia graduates.

When it comes to finding employment as a TEFL teacher in Barcelona, you have a few options:

Language academies

Private language academies offer high rates of pay and are an excellent option for recent TEFL graduates in Barcelona. You can find work in group classes, one-to-one or a blend of the two, either teaching adults or children. Training as an English teacher at a TEFL school in Barcelona makes it easier to teach at the school once you’ve graduated. 

Private companies

Barcelona is one of the fastest growing startup cities in Europe, and English is the international language of English, so it stands to reason that lots of companies throughout Barcelona employ specialist English teachers to teach English to their teams. If you specialise in business English, you’ll have an edge over the competition.

Schools

If you specialise in teaching young learners, teaching TEFL in Barcelona schools might be the best option. Whether state-run, private or subsidised, English is taught in every school in the city. 

Private classes

Prefer to work for yourself? You can go freelance (autonomo) and set up your own private classes. A word of warning – going freelance is difficult. But if you manage to build up a regular client base, the flexibility could be a huge bonus. The two most popular websites for advertising yourself are Tusclasesparticulares and Superprof.

Online 

Whether supplementary or as a main way to teach, teaching TEFL online is another option. Many people study to be a TEFL teacher in Barcelona, then decide to teach English online post graduation, although keep in mind you’ll need specific skills when teaching online.

6. Get yourself job-ready

Part of your TEFL course will be preparing to launch your career as an English teacher in Barcelona. As part of our post-course preparation and support, we offer CV preparation workshops and provide in-depth interview preparation and practice, giving you the skills and confidence you need to ace your employment interview.

Another recommendation is to create a teaching portfolio. This acts as a showcase for your teaching style, your typical lesson plans and testimonies from students – don’t forget, during your TEFL course, you’ll have the chance to teach real students, and their feedback/testimonials can prove valuable.

As a TEFL Iberia graduate, you’ll receive all the support you need to take your first steps towards launching your career and finding a great English teaching job in Barcelona.

7. Apply for English teaching jobs in Barcelona

Once you’re job ready, it’s time to apply! You’ll find numerous job opportunities across the city, including the following: 

• Online job portals 
• Infojobs
• Indeed
• Glassdoor
• LinkedIn
• Lingo Bongo
• ESL base
• TEFL.com
• Jooble
• Facebook groups
• Barcelona TEFL Teachers Association Facebook group
• Oxford TEFL CELTA graduates Facebook group
• Barcelona Expats Facebook group
• English Teachers in Barcelona

And don’t forget, as one of our TEFL Iberia graduates, you’ll have exclusive access to the TEFL Iberia jobs board, with emerging employment openings from our extensive list of contacts throughout the city. 

8. Start teaching in Barcelona!

Once you’ve graduated from a TEFL course in Barcelona and secured your first job, you’re ready to start teaching. Becoming a TEFL teacher in Barcelona goes way beyond a job – it’s a transformational experience!

You’ll become immersed in a new culture, develop a new found confidence and discover you can do things you never thought possible. You’ll make new friends and make unforgettable memories.

And with the right TEFL academy you’ll receive support every step of the way.

So, are you ready to take the first step toward teaching English in Barcelona? Contact us today to learn more about our Developing Teacher program and start your journey in this amazing city.