One-Term Volunteer Program
for Students and University graduates
Live a three-month experience volunteering to teach English in Spain.
A short stay with lasting impact
There are moments that don’t last long, but stay with you forever. This volunteer experience to teach English in Spain is one of them.
Connect with students, make a difference in their lives, and let them make a difference in yours. You will grow without even realizing it, not only on your resume but also as a person.
During these three months, you will be a Language Assistant in a Spanish school, an experience that will help you improve your confidence, communication, adaptability, and autonomy. A brief international experience, but one that makes a difference.
Volunteer Language Assistant Program
The One-Term Volunteer Program offers something simple yet valuable: stepping out of your routine, joining an educational project, and living an experience that will create a before and after in your life. After all, dedicating your time to others is also an investment in your future.
3 month long program.
Private and charter schools throughout Spain.
20 weekly hours as a Language Assistant in a Spanish school.
No fees.
Accommodation with a Spanish family for full cultural immersion (includes 3 meals a day). If you prefer, you can opt for independent accommodation at your own expense.
Medical insurance included and covered by the program.
No visa required.
Certificate of recognition to enrich your resume with international experience.
Tasks
Role
Accommodation
TEFL Training
FAQs
Language Assistant Activities
Activities
For three months, your role will be to support students in gaining confidence and fluency in English by leading activities, sharing your energy, and participating in the daily life of the classroom.
You will be surrounded by professionals, learning, growing, and discovering the impact your dedication can have on others.
With the One-Term Volunteer Experience program, you will have the opportunity to
stay and become part of a Spanish family. You also have the option to arrange independent accommodation if you feel that is a better fit for 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.
If you want to make the most of this experience, you can obtain a TEFL certification before starting your volunteer teaching experience for a term in Spain. This will not only help you while volunteering in Spain but also open doors for you to develop your career as an English teacher abroad.
Meddeas has established a collaboration with tefl.org to offer advantageous conditions to its participants. If you are one of the accepted candidates, we will provide you with all the details.
Frequent questions
FAQs
How to participate in the One-Term Volunteer Program?
If you want to have a brief but enriching experience, this is your chance! Volunteer teaching English in Spain while enjoying the country’s culture and history.
Check the requirements:
- Be a native English, French or German speaker.
- Meet one of the following educational requirements:
- Have a high school diploma if you are up to 22 years old
- Have a university degree of at least 3 years or be in your third or fourth year if you are up to 26 years old
- Have a university degree of at least 3 years in any discipline if you are over 26 years old
- Have a valid passport from a visa-exempt country according to the 90-day rule (e.g., Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, etc.)
- 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.
Find the answers to your questions about the One-Term Volunteer Program
If you have already read all the information about the program to teach English in Spain, there is only one step left. Check our frequently asked questions and clear up any doubts: you will find everything you need to know about our volunteer program.
What is a Meddeas Volunteer?
A Meddeas Volunteer is a native-level English speaker who is interested in acquiring international teaching experience. Our volunteers enhance their resumes while immersing themselves in a different culture. They join one of the 300+ schools we collaborate with in Spain to support the English, French, or German language departments.
If you are a college student looking for an opportunity to earn credits through an internship for a full academic year, you should have a look at our Student Co-op Program 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 program requires a great deal of energy!
Some of the tasks assigned to the Volunteer may include organizing group conversation lessons, leading the whole class at the front of the room alongside the teacher, or conducting conversation practice with other teachers. Group conversation lessons will include a maximum of 3 students at a time.
Am I eligible to apply?
You need to be a native-level English, French, or German speaker and meet one of the following requirements at the beginning of your placement:
- If you are 22 years old or less, hold at least a high school diploma.
- If you are 26 years old or less, hold a +3 years degree in any subject OR, be enrolled in the 3rd or 4th year of your degree.
- If you are above 26 years old, hold a +3 years degree in any subject.
You must have no criminal records, and you need to hold a valid passport (not needed to apply, but necessary to join the program) from a country that is exempt from obtaining a visa under the 90-day rule (e.g., Austria, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, etc.)
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 €450 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.
What is included in the program?
This program doesn’t require a visa. All of the following are included:
- Placement as a Volunteer Language Assistant in a Spanish school.
- Medical insurance.
- If you want to, homestay with a Spanish family (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included while at home or school).
- Pre-departure assistance and in-country guidance.
What is NOT included in the program?
Travel expenses, cost of the Medical Certificate, cost of Absence of Police Records Certificate and any other cost not specified as covered by the program.
Can I choose where I will be placed at?
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 make the most of this experience. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in a specific location.
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.
How long does the program last?
Our program length is approximately 3 months (around 75-85 days). It runs from:
- October to December
- January to Easter break (March/April)
- Easter break (March/April) to June
How many hours can I expect to be at school?
The Volunteer’s schedule will be set and modified by the school according to its needs, which means that placement’s characteristics depend only on the school, and participants are not able to change its schedule or conditions.
You will have 20 contact in-class hours for 4 days (mornings and afternoons) or 5 mornings per week. You may be expected to dedicate an additional 2 hours to coordination meetings with other teachers, and may also have additional gaps between lessons. You can take advantage of these gaps to prepare classes/games and activities.
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 Volunteer’s participation in the program if any of them consider that the participant exhibits a lack of professional behavior.
If this occurs, the Volunteer loses the deposit and all inherent rights (placement, insurance, etc.).
What happens if I leave the program before it ends?
If you decide to leave the program, you will lose the €450 deposit and all inherent rights (placement, insurance, etc.).
Lodging options
Can I live with a Host Family?
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.
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.
Can I look for accommodation on my own?
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 independent accommodation, so you will be responsible for finding an apartment/room 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 Volunteers 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.
You can check this blog post to have an idea of the cost of living in Spain.
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 your own activities and games.
What will my school be like?
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 Volunteer’s request. The school defines them and may adapt the ages of children that participants are placed with, according to their needs.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
How is the application process?
If you are interested in becoming a Meddeas Volunteer, you can apply through our website by filling out the online Application Form.
We will evaluate your profile and, if you meet the requirements to enroll in the program’s available placements, we will arrange a first online interview with you.
If you are successful, you will be considered for one of the available placements for which your profile matches.
Finally, 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. You will then receive guidance to join the program.
FUNDING THE PROGRAM