Teaching English in Spain as an American: Interview

Welcome to the first in our new series of interviews with TEFL Iberia graduates, where we gain insights into the realities of teaching English in Spain. 

Today, we talk to Amy Sun from the US about her time at TEFL Iberia and her experiences teaching English in Spain as an American.

Hi Amy! First things first, where are you from in the US?

I’m from Toledo, Ohio.

What made you decide to teach English in Spain?

I always knew I wanted to live abroad. I was also seeking something more fulfilling and freeing than the traditional career path I had envisioned for myself. I wanted an experience that would be different from anything I’d ever known and that would push me to grow. 

I’m from a small town in the Midwest, and I always dreamed of moving to a big city with endless opportunities and places to explore. After graduating from university last summer with a business degree, I decided that post-grad was the perfect time for me to follow these desires. 

What was your TEFL course and why did you choose it? 

I chose TEFL Iberia’s Trinity CertTESOL course, an internationally recognized certification which took place over the course of 4 weeks. I did a lot of research before selecting this specific class – I wanted to make sure it would be worth the money and fully equip me with the necessary skills to teach in Barcelona. With its combination of hands-on teaching experience, strong student support, and post-grad job search help, I decided this course would be the best option.

How was the application process, both for the course and the visa?

The application process for the course was fairly simple. I reached out to TEFL Iberia and was met with an immediate email response from their course coordinator. After exchanging a few questions, I decided to begin the visa application process – this was probably the most intimidating part of the experience. 

In spite of my doubts and worries, I was able to gather all the necessary documents and submit them. The worst part of the process is probably the waiting. I was very anxious about my visa not being approved for some reason or other, but in the end, all my worrying was for nothing.

What was your first impression when you arrived in the country?

I’d already visited Barcelona twice before, so I knew I loved the city before I moved here. However, arriving in Spain to teach was quite a different experience than coming here on vacation. I was nervous to meet my roommates and begin my life here – luckily, I ended up living with two amazing women who were also from the U.S. We quickly bonded and became very close friends, which I’m so grateful for, since that definitely made the transition easier. 

What was your TEFL course like? What were the best parts and the biggest challenges?

My TEFL course was definitely quite intensive and thorough in the best way. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first arrived, but quickly realized how in-depth the certification process would be. The biggest challenge, but also one of the best parts, was preparing and delivering my own lessons. 

The course provides you with hands-on teaching experience from the very beginning, and this was nerve-wracking yet enormously helpful for actually learning how to teach well. The feedback that the tutors give is so personalized and in-depth that it really helps you grow quickly. In a relatively short amount of time, my confidence in the classroom improved significantly.

The best part is also the people you meet in your course. I was lucky enough to have a great group and we all got along well and really bonded. I appreciated how small the class was too, which gave it such a personalized and close-knit feeling. 

What kind of classes do you teach and how many hours a week are you teaching?

Currently, I’m not actively teaching since I’ve been doing some marketing work related to my degree. I taught at a small language academy for kids and teenagers prior to what I’m doing now. I was working 24 hours a week and had classes with both higher and lower-level groups. The specific academy I was at provided structured coursebooks to follow, which made lesson planning a lot easier. 

What’s the best thing about teaching English as a foreign language?

The best part, and the part I miss the most, is definitely the students. In the best way, no day was the same – you could expect just about anything out of those kids. They made me laugh every day and definitely taught me a thing or two as well. It’s been a few months since I last taught but I still think of my students fondly and wonder how they’re doing. It can also be a very rewarding job because you see the direct impact you have on your students, and that’s a great feeling. 

What’s the pay like?

The pay is alright, although not the best. It’s relevant to note that the main incentive of TEFL for most people isn’t the money, but rather the opportunity to live and work somewhere like Spain. In my experience, the work-life balance also made it worth it. Since the specific academy I worked at didn’t require me to lesson-plan much, I didn’t have to spend additional hours outside of the classroom to prep for my classes. 

However, depending on the type of classes you teach, it is definitely possible to make good money, such as with business English courses. 

Would you recommend TEFL Iberia to others?

I would 100% recommend TEFL Iberia to anyone. I’ve had an amazing experience with the school and company, beginning with my TEFL course to the Spanish class I’m taking now. Not only do their courses thoroughly prepare you with the necessary skills, but are actually engaging and fun. 

They have such a welcoming, caring, and personalized approach to everything they do and such friendly and helpful staff. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many great people and make a few lifelong friends as well. 

What are the advantages of living in Spain compared to the US?

The advantages of living in Spain are endless: the weather, the lifestyle, the culture, and more. There is always something to see or do – Barcelona specifically is such a rich cultural hub and I love that about the city. 

Another plus is the location and how convenient it is to travel around Europe (especially as an American). I’ve had the opportunity to visit so many new places, even on the weekends between work. Living here in Spain has pushed me to grow in so many ways, from learning a new language to navigating a different culture. I really believe this experience has been so valuable in both my personal and professional development.

And some of the challenges you’ve faced with adapting to Spanish life?

One of the main challenges for me has been the language barrier. I studied Spanish for a few years when I was in school, but hadn’t used the language for a while. Recently, I started taking a Spanish course at TEFL Iberia’s sister school, Iberia Language Academy, which has been helping me improve my speaking abilities and confidence significantly. 

Another hurdle was the initial loneliness and isolation of being in a foreign country, away from family and friends. However, I had the opportunity to meet and form some strong friendships with students I met in the TEFL program shortly after arriving, thankfully easing the transition. 

Is there anything about living in Spain as a TEFL teacher that has surprised you?

I was surprised by how difficult it is to be a good and effective teacher. Part of me assumed I would be a great teacher naturally before I started the course because I’ve always excelled in English and grammar. However, I quickly realized there is so much more that goes into teaching, down to the specific methods, strategies, and skills you have to develop. 

More than that, you have to be able to think on your feet and manage a classroom of sometimes rowdy kids, from resolving interpersonal conflict to grabbing their attention with engaging lessons. 

If you had to give one piece of advice for Americans thinking of teaching English in Spain, what would it be? 

If you’re considering it, take the leap of faith and do it. I was unsure and anxious for so long because I was scared things wouldn’t work out, especially during the application process. Looking back, I wish I had spent less time worrying about what could go wrong and more time trusting my decision. 

Now I can definitively say coming to Spain was one of the best decisions I’ve made, even though there was so much uncertainty involved – that is where you’ll have the most fun and grow the most. 

So, are you ready to take the leap and start teaching English in Spain? Take your first steps… contact TEFL Iberia today!