Your guide to teaching English in Spain from Ireland

As an Irish citizen, teaching English in Spain opens up many different opportunities. What’s more, Irish people are uniquely placed to take advantage as native English speakers – they are the only native English-speaking nation with EU status. This makes it far easier to teach English in Spain than for other nations. 

So, let’s break down the details and discover how to move from Ireland to Spain as an English teacher.

Why teach English in Spain?

English teachers are increasingly in demand in Spain. This means there are plenty of job opportunities for TEFL teachers, especially in the big cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Seville. 

Aside from job prospects, Spain brings a blend of culture, cuisine, outdoor beauty and glorious weather that few countries can match. 

The unique advantage for Irish citizens

Non-EU citizens, including those from the UK and the US, require a student visa to work as a TEFL teacher in Spain. However, as part of the EU, Irish citizens are entitled to live and work in Spain without a visa.

In fact, as the only native-English speaking country entitled to work in Spain without a visa, Irish citizens have a huge advantage when it comes to securing roles where native or near native English is a requirement. 

The basic requirements

If you’re Irish and you’re thinking of teaching English in Spain, there are a few essentials:

• TEFL certification. English teachers in Spain need to be fully qualified. This means gaining  a TEFL certificate from a fully accredited TEFL provider is essential. Read our guide on how to choose a TEFL course that is accredited.
• Native‑level English, so C1–C2, as well as strong communication skills.
• A NIE (número de identificación de extranjero). This identity card can be difficult to get hold of due to lots of bureaucracy. Don’t worry… we can help you gather all the documents, get your appointment and even accompany you.
• A Spanish bank account. Spanish employers will generally only pay salaries into a local bank account.

English teaching roles in Spain

There’s a growing demand for English language teachers in Spain. Here are just a few of the potential paths available.

Language academies

Private language academies offer good salaries for TEFL teachers. They are also a convenient path for TEFL graduates in Spain, as they tend to offer exclusive employment opportunities.

Private companies

The big Spanish cities are hubs for business. This means there are plenty of multinational companies and startups looking for English language teachers to improve their team’s English-speaking skills.

Schools

Most public schools in Spain now include English as part of the curriculum for children from a very young age. This is great news for TEFL teachers who specialise in teaching young learners. 

Private classes

Want to go it alone? Become a freelancer (autonomo). Platforms such as Tusclasesparticulares and Superprof are great tools for advertising your TEFL teaching services.

Online 

You can also teach online, either full time or to supplement your income. Be sure to master the specific skill set that comes with online teaching.

Step-by-step: Teaching English in Spain from Ireland

Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process of moving to Spain to teach English:

1. Choose your location 

Research the job market. Browse city guides and salary articles to find out which Spanish cities fit your target salary, lifestyle and job type.

2. Find a TEFL school and enroll

By taking a fully-accredited, foundational TEFL course, you’ll get everything you need to teach English anywhere around the world. That means you’ll have the qualification, skills, experience and confidence to take charge of a classroom.

3. Get your NIE

You’ll need to get your foreign identity card (NIE) shortly after moving to Spain. At TEFL Iberia, we offer an assistance service that involves booking the appointment, preparing paperwork and guiding you throughout the whole process.

4. Find accommodation

Many TEFL providers, like TEFL Iberia, offer their own in-house accommodation service. This will take a lot of uncertainty out of the situation and you’ll benefit from an affordable, quality apartment close to your campus.

5. Set up a bank account

Your TEFL provider should be able to help you set up a bank account. We certainly do! When you sign up to study at TEFL Iberia, we help you open a Spanish bank account early on in your course. 

6. Become career-ready

The best TEFL providers go above and beyond when it comes to helping you launch your TEFL career. At TEFL Iberia, we make sure you’re job ready, with extensive post graduation job preparation, including CV workshops and interview masterclasses. We can also make direct introductions to employers, thanks to our extensive network.

7. Land your first TEFL job!

Once you’ve graduated from a TEFL course and secured your first job, you’re ready to start teaching in Spain. By then, you’ll have found your feet and will be ready to embrace your new life in Spain!

So, are you ready to take the first step toward teaching English in Spain? Contact us today to find out more!