Spanish Course & Student Visa In Barcelona
Learn Spanish every morning at our Instituto Cervantes accredited partner school, with your afternoons free to teach English.
- 4.9 on Google from 200 reviews
- Classes at our Instituto Cervantes accredited partner Spanish school
- 1,000+ graduates since 2012
The Key Questions
Here are the answers to the questions everyone asks us first.
Can I work while I study?
Yes. Classes are 09:30 to 13:30, Monday to Friday, and English academies teach mostly from 16:30 to 20:30, so the two fit together. You can work up to 30 hours a week once your employer gets a work permit for you.
- Afternoons and evenings free, every day
- Our careers service helps you find teaching work
- Talk to us if you need to change your timetable. We’re flexible about how you fit the course around work
Is the course enough for the visa?
Yes. The course is 20 hours a week at our Instituto Cervantes accredited partner Spanish school, which is what consulates require for a long-term student visa. We recommend the 11-month course: together with the Trinity CertTESOL it gives you a 12-month visa, which you can renew from Spain.
- 20 hours a week at our Instituto Cervantes accredited partner school
- Enrolment letter and the visa paperwork included
- Sit the DELE or SIELE at the end if you plan to renew for another year
What if I am a complete beginner?
Most of our trainees arrive with little or no Spanish. A level test before you start places you in a group at your level, from A1 to C1. The classes are in Spanish, and every teacher speaks some English for when you are stuck.
- Complete beginners welcome
- Groups of 12 maximum, placed by level
- A certificate of attendance at the end, and of achievement if you sit the exam
A Day On The Course
Every day has the same rhythm: Spanish in the morning, the city in the afternoon, teaching in the evening.
- 09:30Spanish class
Practical, engaging lessons that build your speaking, listening, reading and grammar skills. Everything is taught in Spanish, with support in English when needed.
- 13:30Free time
Your time to enjoy Barcelona!
- 16:30Teaching
Academies teach from about 16:30 to 20:30, the prime time for English classes in Barcelona. You can work up to 30 hours a week once your employer gets a work permit for you.
- 20:30Evening
Barcelona eats late. Weekends are yours, and once a month the school runs a cultural activity, included in the price.
On the programme the year starts with 4 weeks of Trinity CertTESOL; the Spanish course follows on the next start date. Classes stop for 3 weeks at Christmas, a week at Easter and Barcelona’s public holidays. The school is open in August.
Life On The Course
A year at our Instituto Cervantes accredited partner school in the centre of Barcelona, just 5 minutes from the Sagrada Familia.
What’s Included
- 20 hours a week, 09:30 to 13:30, Monday to Friday
- Groups of 12 maximum, placed by a level test
- A clear syllabus, regular feedback and progress notes
- Course book and all study materials
- Library with Spanish books to borrow, and Wi-Fi
- A 15-minute one-to-one tutorial with the academic coordinator every month
- Enrolment letter for the consulate
- Special discount on health insurance
- Hands-on support from our visa coordinator, before you fly and after you arrive
- Careers service & access to our network of schools
- A cultural activity every month, included; excursions and day trips paid separately
- Spanish course certificate of completion
For New Teachers & Qualified Teachers
Both give you the same classes, the same school and the same visa support. Qualified teachers don’t need to take the Trinity CertTESOL first.
Prices include the CertTESOL at the early-bird price and the visa and paperwork service.
- Enrolment letter for the visa the week you pay
- Work up to 30 hours a week once your employer gets a work permit for you
Visa and paperwork service optional, €250.
- Starts on the same dates as the programme, placed by level after a test
- Same mornings, same school, same support
Levels And Progress
You can go from complete beginner to fluent in just one year.
A level test before you start places you in the right group, from complete beginner (A1) to C1. Most trainees arrive at A1 or A2; at 20 hours a week they reach B1 within six months and B2 within the year. The DELE or SIELE exam at the end is optional and paid separately. You need it to renew the visa for a second year.
Student Visa Overview
For complete information on the visa, documents and consulates, please visit the student visa page and the consulate finder.
Holidays
Barcelona’s public holidays are days off too. Classes lost to holidays are not made up; they are already allowed for in the price.
Start Dates
The programme starts with a Trinity CertTESOL; the Spanish course follows on the next start date. Qualified teachers start on the same dates.
| Programme start | 12 months | New teachers | Qualified teachers | Application deadline | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 2026 | 19 Nov 2027 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 23 Aug 2026 | Contact us | Apply |
| 11 Jan 2027 | 7 Jan 2028 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 11 Oct 2026 | Contact us | Apply |
| 22 Feb 2027 | 18 Feb 2028 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 22 Nov 2026 | Places available | Apply |
| 5 Apr 2027 | 31 Mar 2028 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 5 Jan 2027 | Places available | Apply |
| 17 May 2027 | 12 May 2028 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 17 Feb 2027 | Places available | Apply |
| 14 Jun 2027 | 9 Jun 2028 | €7,250 | €5,900 | 14 Mar 2027 | Fills up most years | Apply |
Five more dates in 2027 on the Dates & Fees page.
How To Apply
- Apply online
It takes five minutes, and there’s no payment at this stage. Tell us a little about yourself and your preferred start date.
- Speak with our coordinator
We’ll discuss your plans for Barcelona, your current Spanish level, your dates and visa timeline, and answer your questions.
- Pay your course fees
Your course must be paid in full before your consulate appointment. If your visa is refused and the refusal is upheld on appeal, we refund your Spanish course fees minus a €300 administration fee.
- Get your enrolment letter and visa support
Once your consulate appointment is confirmed, we prepare your enrolment letter. You’ll apply for your visa from your country of residence, ideally 3 to 4 months before travelling. Our visa coordinator will guide you through the required documents.
- Find your level and start learning
Complete a short level test so we can place you in the right group. Then join us on the next available start date and get started with Spanish.
Is It For You?
The course is for teachers who want a year in Barcelona on a student visa: trainees who have just finished the Trinity CertTESOL, and teachers who are already qualified and come for the Spanish on its own.
Entry requirements
- Over 18
- No Spanish needed: complete beginners start at A1
- A passport from outside the EU if you need the visa. EU citizens are welcome without one.
- For the programme, the Trinity CertTESOL first; its own entry requirements apply
- Time: the consulate takes 3 to 4 months, so apply early
Not sure which to sign up for? Our coordinator answers this on the call, before any payment.
What Students Say
Learning at TEFL Iberia was amazing! I went into it knowing little to no Spanish and after 2 months I have learned so much. The teachers work at your pace and never make you feel pressured. They helped me with my confidence when it comes to speaking Spanish in public. If you’re looking for a language school TEFL Iberia is a great choice!
Nicole and Agustina, Spanish course students
Questions About The Course
Ready to learn Spanish and teach?
Apply in five minutes. We confirm your route, your level and your start date on the call.