Language Assistant Program
for Recent Graduates
Gain international experience and take a step forward in your future. Teach English in Spain and make a difference in your professional and personal life.
Application period for 2026-27 now open!
Develop your skills, build your future
It’s time to take a leap in your career. You’ve left your undergraduate years behind and it’s time to gain experience. Improve your resume, prepare yourself for the professional world, get out of your comfort zone, move to another country and live the international experience that will change everything. It’s time to take the step, join our program and become a Language Assistant with Meddeas.
Because this is not only about living in Spain, here you will find a purpose. An opportunity to broaden your world vision, meet people and surround yourself with Spanish culture. A chance to further your education not only with classroom practice, but also with a ESL Graduate course funded by the program. An opportunity to be a model of language and culture in a Spanish school.
This is a unique opportunity to start building your future.
Language Assistant Program
International experience and skills are as important as studies for your resume. This program allows you to continue to grow, develop key skills for your future and, at the same time, live and enjoy the Spanish culture.
Based on the candidate's profile and the school's needs, the destination and the number of students will be determined.
Private and charter schools throughout Spain.
ESL Graduate Course funded by the program and provided by a Spanish university.
No fees.
Monthly stipend.
Paid school holidays during the academic year.
Health insurance and coverage with the Spanish National Health System.
Pre-departure guidance and support with the visa process.
Support during the stay from both the school tutor and Meddeas.
Tasks
Role
Accommodation
ESL Graduate Course
FAQs
Language Assistant Activities
Activities
Being a Language Assistant is much more than teaching English: it is an chance to grow, learn, and develop key skills for your future.
Your main goal will be to help students gain confidence and fluency in the language. To achieve this, you will lead activities and help make the classes more dynamic and participative.
Here, your attitude makes a difference: creativity, involvement, and the desire to make an impact are highly valued.
The way you live during your stay in Spain can make a significant difference in your experience. Choose the option that best suits you.
Independent Housing
If you prefer to have your own space and organize things your way, this is the best option.
You will live independently, either alone or sharing an apartment. Meddeas will provide you with some useful tips for finding accommodation in Spain, but you will be responsible for finding it yourself.
This option is ideal for those who value independence, enjoy sharing an apartment with different people, and prefer to organize themselves while being away from home.
Host family
This experience will guarantee you a complete immersion in Spanish culture. A family from the school will open the doors of their home… and their life to you!
You will share meals, weekend plans, conversations, and everyday moments. You will have an «adoptive» family with whom you can learn and share the customs, gastronomy, and culture of your country.
If you are looking to live like a local, get to know the life and culture of Spain firsthand, and feel welcomed by a family, this is your option.
As part of the program, you will take a postgraduate university course that will provide you with the necessary tools to teach English as a foreign language.
The course extends over 360 hours (or 225 hours if you start in January) and is mandatory for all participants.
You won’t have to pay anything for it: the cost is covered by the program.
However, it is a demanding course, meaning it is recommended to dedicate time to it each week. It is a key part of your experience as a Language Assistant and will help you prepare and grow professionally.
Frequent questions
FAQs
Who becomes a part of Meddeas?
Beyond studies or previous experience, there is something all our participants have in common:
They are curious people, eager to grow, who know how to adapt, communicate, and connect with others. They have initiative, energy, and an open mindset. They are looking for something more.
Over 5,000 applications every year!
Our Language Assistants' Experiences
FORMER LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS
Build Your Future
After saying “hasta luego” to Spain, where I spent two amazing years teaching English with Meddeas, I decided to further my education and enroll in graduate school back home in the United States. I knew I wanted to continue teaching English on a smaller scale while also pursuing a career in the federal sector. Now, I am finished with a Master of Science in International Relations and halfway through a Master of Arts in Writing. I recently accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Interior in Public Affairs. Plus, thanks to my Writing degree, I get to teach remedial English courses as an adjunct instructor at a university. Living in Spain and working with Meddeas taught me how to juggle different responsibilities and gave me the confidence to chase new career paths. My free time at home looks pretty similar as I traveled almost every weekend in Spain and still love exploring new places here in the U.S. Good luck to all of you beginning your new adventure in Spain!
Aanna Shay
Pamplona, Barcelona, 21-23
How to participate in the Language Assistant Program?
If you are a recent graduate and want to gain international professional experience, this is your opportunity. Review the information in detail and submit your application.
Check the requirements:
- Be a native English, French, or German speaker.
- Native-level German and French speakers must have at least a B2 English level (according to the MCER).
- Have obtained a university degree in the last four years.*
- Have no criminal record.
- Stand out in our competitive selection process.
* If you don’t meet this requirement, check out our spin-off, ConversaSpain, to see if their program is a better fit!
Apply in three steps:
Read the documentation to learn more about program details.
Consult our FAQs to solve any doubts.
Fill out the online application form.
If interested in January 2026, apply here.
What is the selection process like?
Apply through our website www.meddeas.com
First online interview
Second online interview
Offer made to selected candidates
Induction Meeting
Pre-travel preparation
Visa application (if necessary)
Agreement and deposit
Find the answers to your questions about the Language Assistant Program
If you have already read all the information about the program, check our frequently asked questions and clear up any doubts: you will find everything you need to know about the Language Assistant Program.
What is a Meddeas Language Assistant?
A Meddeas Language Assistant is a recent university graduate seeking to gain valuable professional skills through an international teaching experience. They have the opportunity to join one of the 300+ schools we collaborate with in Spain, where they support the English, French, or German department. This internship offers a monthly stipend to help cover expenses while they gain hands-on experience.
If you are a university student who can earn credits from internship opportunities, you should have a look at our Student Co-op Placements instead.
Unlike Teaching Assistants, Language Assistants are expected to use their own 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, improve their speaking skills and make them fall in love with the language. This rewarding internship program requires full-time availability and a great deal of energy!
Some of the tasks assigned to the Language Assistant 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.
Depending on the placement, group conversation lessons will include a maximum of 3, 8, or 15 students at a time. Only candidates with a degree in Education OR English Language / Linguistics OR any Degree + TEFL course (at least 120 hours) are eligible for placements with groups of up to 15 students.
After reading our brochure for placements for the 2026-27 academic year, website and our Teaching English in Spain FAQs you will have a better understanding of what a Meddeas Language Assistant should be like.
Am I eligible to apply?
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 ESL Graduate Course is taught in this language. If your situation is different, please contact us so we can evaluate your case individually.
You need to hold a 3+ year degree in any subject OR hold a postgraduate degree related to Education or Linguistics, obtained within the last 4 years before the beginning of the program. If you don’t meet this requirement, check out our spin-off, ConversaSpain, to see if their program is a better fit!
You must have a clean criminal record, and you need to hold a valid passport (not needed to apply, but necessary to start the visa application process, if applicable).
Program conditions
Do I have to pay anything to be accepted?
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.
Can I be placed with my friend or with my partner?
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.
What does the online university course include?
You will be enrolled in a Post-Graduate ESL Certification, adapted to 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.
How long does the program last?
If you’re looking for a shorter teaching experience, please check our One-Term Volunteer Placement instead.
How many hours can I expect to be at school?
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 Post-Graduate ESL Certification course.
If you live with a host family and your placement includes less than 23 in-class hours per week, you will teach them in 4 days (mornings and afternoons), or in 5 mornings every week.
How much money will I receive each month?
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.
Will I have holidays?
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.
Is medical insurance included?
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.
What happens if I do not show commitment to the program?
You are expected to show initiative and commitment and perform professionally. Meddeas and/or the school have the right to cancel a Language Assistant’s placement if any of them consider that the participant exhibits a lack of professional behavior.
If this occurs, the Language Assistant will lose the €850 deposit and all inherent rights (placement, social security coverage, university course, stipend, etc.). In addition, the program is legally obliged to cancel the visa (if applicable).
What happens if I leave the program before it ends?
If you decide to leave the program, you will lose the €850 deposit and all inherent rights (placement, social security coverage, university course, stipend, etc.) In addition, the program will be legally obliged to cancel your visa (if applicable).
Lodging options
Can I look for accommodation on my own?
Yes, of course. If you decide to live by yourself, we strongly recommend that you look for an 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 social media groups, where you can communicate with other Language Assistants 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.
Can I live with a Host Family?
Yes, some school placements include this lodging option. 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.
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.
What are the Host Family conditions?
The school
What does the school expect from me?
One of the school’s teachers will be appointed as your tutor. You can ask them for advice when needed, but you will be expected to independently plan lessons and come up with your own activities and games.
What will my school be like?
Meddeas works with private and concertado (charter or grant-maintained) schools. Many of those schools are Catholic, where the 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, like location, students’ age group, and school characteristics and expectations before accepting a placement offer. Once accepted, details cannot change upon the Language Assistant’s request, the school defines and may adapt the ages of children that participants are placed with.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
How is the selection process?
If you are interested in becoming a Meddeas Language Assistant, you can apply through our website by filling out the online Application Form for 2026-27 academic year placements, after having read our Teaching English in Spain FAQs.
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 pass the first 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.
You will then be asked to sign an agreement. You will receive the name of your school before transferring the refundable deposit to ensure your placement.
Finally, you will be able to start your visa application process, if applicable, with the guidance of our Admissions Team.
FUNDING THE PROGRAM
What will it cost to participate?
The program itself will cost you no money. However, you will have to pay for some things with a set and known cost:
All participants
- Application for a Certificate of Absence of Police Records
- 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 application fees
- Translation of official documents for the visa application
- Apostille/Legalization (if needed)
- Private health insurance (visa requirement)
Prices vary from country to country. Please check the fees that apply to your particular case.
Can I defer my student loan?
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.