Contact Us
info@meddeas.com
+ 34 948 983 539
Calle V, nº3, 2ºD,
P.C. Galaria 31191
Cordovilla, Navarra – Spain
If you’re thinking about becoming a Language Assistant, this Teaching English in Spain FAQs (as well as German and French) is your guide to do so. Here, you can find answers to everything you need to know about the Meddeas Language Assistant Program for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year or the available placements for January 2025.
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 starting in January 2025 or the 2025-26 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.
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. 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. All degrees are welcome.
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).
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.
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, 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.
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 Language Assistant. 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 Language Assistant’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 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.
You will receive a monthly stipend that will vary in quantity depending on the number of weekly in-class hours, your lodging option, and the maximum number of students in your group conversation lessons, which are previously defined by the school. Check the amount ranges in the program brochure for placements starting in January 2025 or the 2025-26 academic year.
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, such as 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 System) for the duration of the program. The Public Administration (Spanish government) will deduct a small amount from your monthly stipend (between €10,69 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 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).
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).
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.
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. Check the Host Family Conditions.
Since the families voluntarily host the Language Assistant for a cultural exchange, it is not only important to be respectful and polite, but there are also specific conditions for this accommodation option that we recommend you read in advance.
Check the Host Family Conditions.
Schools understand that you 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 and preparing your own activities.
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.
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.
If you are interested in becoming a Meddeas Language Assistant, you can apply through our website by filling out the online Application Form for placements starting in January 2025 or the 2025-26 academic year, 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.
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
Non-European passport holders
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.
info@meddeas.com
+ 34 948 983 539
Calle V, nº3, 2ºD,
P.C. Galaria 31191
Cordovilla, Navarra – Spain
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