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TEACH ENGLISH IN SPAIN

EDUCATION GRADUATE WORK EXPERIENCE

APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN 2024-2025

We recommend you read the program essential information before applying

FAQs
Brochure

TEACH ENGLISH, FRENCH OR GERMAN IN PRIMARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION IN SPAIN

Educators need hands-on experience in the classroom to start a successful teaching career.

If you are a fresh graduate in Education and you are looking for international teaching experience, you are in the right place. This Education Graduate Work Experience in Spain will give you a new perspective on education. It will also ensure that you mainly teach the ages that interest you the most: Primary or Secondary.

Looking for a younger age group of pupils? Check our Early Childhood Educator Work Experience program.

Join a different educational system

Learn from experienced Primary/Secondary Teachers

FAQ ALLDEGREESWELCOME SPECIFICOPPORTUNITIES FORUNDERGRADUATES PRACTICESPANISH ADMISIÓNY BECA PREPARACIÓNSOLICITUD VISADO SOPORTE ACADEMICYEARPROGRAMS NOFEES NO TEACHINGEXPERIENCEREQUIRED SPANISHSCHOOLS Multilingual education is crucial in a globalized world.

Discover new techniques and approaches to engage your students

Explore a totally different culture, and grow both professionally and personally

Start learning or improve your Spanish in a native environment

APPLY NOW FOR THE EDUCATION GRADUATE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN SPAIN!

Fill out our online Application Form to gain international teaching practice

MAIN PERKS OF THE PROGRAM

TEACH IN PRIVATE/CHARTER SCHOOLS IN SPAIN

This Education Graduate Work Experience in Spain is specially designed for all recently graduated educators who would like to advance their careers through practical knowledge in an international setting.

educators training program
  • Teach alongside experienced educators in the Spanish education system.
  • Teach in primary/secondary education. Additionally teaching other age groups may be required.
  • Receive guidance from two expert tutors.
  • Learn firsthand about second language acquisition and teaching at a Primary/Secondary Education level.
  • Enroll in a blended TEFL course focused on school environments, paid for by the program and delivered by a Spanish university.
  • Get a monthly stipend to live in Spain as a young professional.
  • Start learning or improve your Spanish.

THE PROGRAM

Teaching practice in Spanish schools and TEFL university training

THE UNIVERSITY COURSE

TEFL with an Emphasis on School Environments

Each of the course modules is designed to guide participants through their teaching practice effectively. The content of the modules aims to cover each of the educational stages with a focus on Primary and Secondary Education.

It begins with an initial workshop in Barcelona or Madrid. After that first day, participants move to their destination and follow the rest of the course online, with the support of forums, tutorials, and a tutor. The completion and evaluation of the course will be based on the assessment of individual module reports.

CLASSROOM PRACTICE

Second Language Acquisition

Educators will be able to test their skills and knowledge in a real-world setting in Spain. Participants will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to plan and conduct lessons.

Educators will focus on helping students improve their English, French or German-speaking skills through conversational activities. Meanwhile, their tutors and the main teachers will give general indications and guidelines on how to improve and become a competent teacher.

There will be a good support system from two tutors. On the one hand, a university professor will provide guidance, when needed, to complete the online course. On the other hand, an experienced teacher will tutorize your activity.

AM I ELIGIBLE?

Requirements to Participate

  • Be a native-level English, French or German speaker.
  • Hold an Education-related degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD), obtained within the last 4 years.
  • Have no criminal records.
  • Stand out in our competitive selection process.

  • Spanish knowledge is not required

  • If you don’t meet these requirements but you are interested in teaching English in Spain, you might be able to do it through Meddeas’ Recent Graduate Placements.

Teaching experience in Spain

Bilingual Programs are growing

In recent years, Spanish schools and teachers in Spain have focused on second language acquisition. They want their pupils to be immersed in other cultures from the earliest stages of children’s development.

The schools seek to create high-quality environments for students who are learning English as a second language. Consequently, Educators’ jobs and work experience opportunities for native-level English speakers with this academic background have grown exponentially in Spain.

Indeed, around 85 of our partner schools all over Spain participate in this program. They are all private or semi-private schools. Most of them are bilingual centers, or centers in which English language teaching is considered a pillar of their curriculum. Nevertheless, their main purpose is to improve the English language and intercultural skills of their students with our programs and, therefore, both scenarios enable a great context to learn about the best teaching methods for students.

TESTIMONIALS

TRUSTED BY MORE THAN 600 PARTICIPANTS EVERY YEAR

"It's so amazing to watch how fast young children learn and how much they enjoy the language, because I always make sure that English is FUN! Therefore, the children are always engaged and excited when it's English time."
Catalina O.
Catalina O.
"I taught children aged between two and five for one academic year. The program is great. It is very beneficial and you learn a lot. I'm sure my experience abroad will set me far apart from other applicants in any position I apply for."
Alexz C.
Alexz C.
"I hope to be a teacher one day. Although I was in a training role, I felt my task is no different to my peers. The Advanced programme provides first hand teaching experience that is hard to come by. It is an excellent opportunity."
Nick H.
Nick H.

THE BASICS

FAQs about the program

A Meddeas Educator is a recent graduate in Education interested in acquiring full-time international teaching experience related to their studies. They get the chance to join one of the +300 schools we collaborate with in Spain to support the English, French, or German department and collaborate with them through an internship scheme, delivering conversational activities to groups of up to 8, or up to 15 students at a time, while getting additional training from experienced teachers. They receive a monthly stipend to cover their expenses while having this experience.

Note that this role is different and more involved than that of a Teaching Assistant. Educator require plenty of initiative to prepare and deliver engaging and creative activities and fun games, following the guidelines given by the main teacher, in order to motivate the students, help them improve their speaking skills, and make them fall in love with the language.

Some of the tasks assigned may include organizing group conversation lessons, leading the whole class at the front of the room alongside the teacher, conducting conversation practice with other teachers, or helping to prepare students for standardized language tests.

You will mainly teach the ages that interest you the most: primary or secondary school students. Your tutor and the main teachers will give you general indications and guidelines to help you become a successful educator in primary/secondary.

You need to be a native-level speaker of English, German, or French. Native German and French speakers should have at least a B2 level (CEFR) in English because the university TEFL-related course is taught in this language.

You also need to hold an Education-related degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D.), obtained within the last 4 years before the beginning of the program.

You must have no criminal records, and you need to hold a valid passport (not needed to apply, but necessary to start the visa application process, if applicable).

Program conditions

Not at all. There are no fees to participate in Meddeas. You will have to transfer a refundable deposit of €850 after accepting your placement as proof of your commitment to the program. This deposit will be refunded to you at the end of the program, once you successfully complete your school placement and university course.

No. Our program’s allocation process is profile-based. That means that our Human Resources Team will match your profile with a specific school placement (with its own requirements) so that you can benefit from this internship experience. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in a specific location.

Since we run a profile-based allocation process, we only consider individual applications. If one of your friends or your partner has also applied, please bear in mind that it is unlikely that we will place both of you in the same town or even region.

You will be enrolled in a TEFL-related course with a focus on school environments, delivered by a Spanish University. The course begins with a one-day session in Madrid or Barcelona (TBC). After that, you will move on to your placement destination to collaborate with the school and complete the online course throughout the academic year.

The university will recognize a portion of your activity at the school as part of their academic training. In addition, you will have to dedicate around 360 hours (225 hours if you start in January) throughout the academic year to complete the course, with the support of forums and your university tutor.

Course completion and evaluation will be based on the assessment of individual modules. Tuition is paid for by the program and its completion is compulsory.

Our program runs from September/October/January to May/June. If you successfully complete the program, you may apply for a second year as a Meddeas Education Trainee. You can choose to stay at the same school or move to a different one.

If you’re looking for a shorter teaching experience, please check our One-Term Volunteer Placement instead.

The Educator’s schedule will be set and modified by the school according to its needs, which means that placement’s characteristics depend entirely on the school, and participants are not able to change its schedule or conditions. The school schedule in Spain usually runs from 9 am to 5 pm.

You will have between 20 and 24 in-class hours per week, needing up to 2 additional hours per week to coordinate your activities with other teachers. As your timetable depends on the other teachers’, you will for sure have some gaps between classes, meaning that, for example, you could have class from 9 am to 4 or 5 pm with gaps in between, including a one or two-hour lunch break. You can take advantage of these gaps to prepare activities and dedicate time to your online TEFL course.

If you live with a host family and your placement has less than 23 in-class hours per week, you will teach them in 4 days (mornings and afternoons), or in 5 mornings every week.

You will receive a monthly stipend that will vary in quantity depending on the number of weekly in-class hours and your lodging option, which are previously defined by the school. Check the amount ranges in the corresponding program brochure.

The monthly stipend will allow you to live in Spain as a young professional, and is enough to pay your rent (in case of independent housing) and cover expenses. Keep in mind that larger cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbao are more expensive than medium or small cities. We advise you to come to Spain with some savings to help you get settled.

You will be entitled to the same holidays as the rest of the school’s faculty. You will have a Christmas and Easter break, local or regional holidays, and some long weekends (puentes). You will have a set school calendar and you are not entitled to any days off outside the pre-established holidays. Trips and travel arrangements should be made around your class schedule and school calendar.

If there are unforeseen circumstances or special events, such as your graduation, that require you to take a day off, you will have to submit a request in advance to the school principal. Unauthorized absences can result in the loss of your stipend or even your placement.

You will have access to the Spanish Social Security system (national healthcare) for the duration of the program. The Public Administration (Spanish government) will deduct a small amount from your monthly stipend (between €9.40 and €11.50, approximately) in order to pay compulsory Social Security contributions in exchange for nearly universal medical coverage.

Although you will be covered by the Spanish healthcare system, you will need to purchase an additional private health insurance plan if you are a non-EU passport holder to satisfy visa requirements. Successful candidates may look for their own options or contact Meddeas, since we have partnered with a private health insurance provider to offer affordable coverage that complies with visa requirements.

You are expected to show initiative and commitment and perform professionally. Meddeas and/or the school have the right to cancel an Educator’s placement if any of them consider that the participant exhibits a lack of professional behavior.

If this occurs, the Educator loses the deposit and all inherent rights (placement, social security, course, stipend, etc.). In addition, the program will be legally obliged to cancel the visa (if applicable).

If you decide to leave the program, you will lose the €850 deposit and all inherent rights (placement, social security, course, stipend, etc.) In addition, the program will be legally obliged to cancel your visa (if applicable).

Lodging options

Yes. If you decide to live by yourself, we strongly recommend that you look for a shared apartment located close to your school. It will be easier for you to walk to school each day instead of relying on public transportation.

Meddeas does not provide accommodation, so you will be responsible for finding an apartment to rent. Our Admissions Team will offer you tips and links for finding an apartment in Spain. You will also be invited to the Meddeas Facebook group, where you can communicate with other Meddeas participants who might also be looking for an apartment in the same area. Nevertheless, negotiating an apartment contract or security deposit will be your own responsibility.

Yes. Living in Spain is a great way to practice the Spanish language, and staying with a Spanish host family will be the best way to make the most of this unique experience. The family will introduce you to many typical Spanish traditions that will help you discover a new culture and, most likely, make friends for life. In some schools, you might be placed with two or three host families throughout the year.

Through this very special opportunity, you will find yourself being part of an authentic Spanish family and all that comes with it: living in their home, eating together, playing games, and going on family trips. It is a dream come true for those who want to live like a Spaniard for a few months. Check the Host Family Conditions.

The school

Schools understand that you might have little teaching experience. At the same time, they expect you to show serious commitment. You will be expected to be involved with your students, demonstrate motivation, maintain professional conduct, and use good interpersonal skills. Proactivity, flexibility, and initiative are essential to planning, preparing, and delivering your own activities.

One of the school’s teachers will be appointed as your tutor. They will guide you and you can ask them for advice when needed, but you will be expected to independently plan your own activities and games.

Meddeas collaborates with private and concertado (charter or grant-maintained) schools. Some of them are non-religious, whereas others are Catholic. In a Catholic school, a Language Assistant is expected to be respectful of the school’s beliefs and customs, and to avoid controversial topics. It is not necessary to share its ethos, but the above is a must. If you have any questions on this matter, you will be able to address them during the interview.

Successful candidates will receive all the relevant details, including location, students’ age group, and school characteristics before accepting a placement offer. Once accepted, details cannot be changed upon the Educator’s request. The school defines them and may adapt the ages of children that participants are placed with, according to their needs.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

If you are interested in becoming a Meddeas Educator, you can apply through our website by filling out the online Application Form.

We will evaluate your eligibility and, if you meet the requirements to enroll in the program, we will arrange a first online interview with you.

If you make it to the second stage of the recruitment process, you will be invited to a second online interview. If you successfully complete the second stage, you will be considered for one of the available placements for which your profile matches.

Finally, you will be asked to sign an agreement. You will receive the name of your school before transferring the refundable deposit to ensure your placement. You will then be accepted into the program and will be able to start your visa application process, if applicable, with the guidance of our Admissions Team.

FUNDING THE PROGRAM

The program does not include any fees. However, you will have to pay for some things with a set and known cost:

All participants

  • Application for a National Certificate of Absence of Police Records
  • Medical Certificate
  • Travel expenses from and to your country
  • Accommodation in Madrid or Barcelona for the Induction Meeting
  • Travel expenses from Madrid or Barcelona to your destination

Non-European passport holders (visa requirements)

  • Visa application fees
  • Translation of official documents 
  • Apostille/Legalization (if needed)
  • Private health insurance 

Prices vary from country to country. Please check the fees that apply to your particular case.

As Meddeas is a training program, you might be eligible to defer your student loans during the program. Eligibility for deferment will depend on the requirements established by the institution granting your loan.

Participants who have studied at a university associated with the Erasmus program may also be eligible for Erasmus+ funds for up to 12 months after their graduation. For specific requirements and how to apply, please consult your university.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

This could be the beginning of an endearing experience that you will remember for the rest of your life

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info@meddeas.com
+ 34 948 983 539
Calle V, nº3, 2ºD,
P.C. Galaria 31191
Cordovilla, Navarra – Spain

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