Madrid calle gran via stree sunrise
Spain

Teach In Spain Program

Accepting Applications for Fall 2024 Start Dates

Dates

-

23 weeks

Program Fee

$2,200

Compensation

1,000 Euros/month

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

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Dates

-

45 weeks

Program Fee

$2,350

Compensation

1,000 Euros/month

Application Deadline

Apply Now

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Dates

-

27 weeks

Compensation

1,000 Euros/month

Application Deadline

Apply Now

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Overview

Immerse yourself in Spanish culture while teaching English in the region of Madrid, one of the world’s most energetic and cosmopolitan cities.

As a language and culture assistant in Madrid public schools, you’ll facilitate cultural exchange and help your students practice conversational English.  You’ll make a difference in the lives of students while expanding your own view of the world.

With three-day weekends every week, there’s plenty of time to explore Madrid’s diverse neighborhoods, learn Spanish, or travel with friends throughout Spain and the rest of Europe.

CIEE will support every step of your Teach in Spain adventure, with expert visa guidance, a comprehensive orientation, and assistance from CIEE staff in Madrid.  You’ll also meet other CIEE teachers before departure and during orientation so you can build a support network of new friends in Spain.

Program Highlights

  • Guaranteed placement as language assistant in the region of Madrid
  • Part-time schedule and 3-day weekends so you’ll have time to explore
  • €1,000 monthly stipend to cover living expenses
  • 4-day CIEE orientation in Madrid with 4 nights of hotel accommodation and cultural activities

Check out Teach in Spain FAQs to learn more!

Boost your Spanish level before starting teaching, with CIEE’s Teach in Spain Immersion programs that offer two weeks or four weeks with a Spanish homestay and language classes geared to your level.

TERM

ARRIVAL DATE

END DATE

COMPENSATION

DEADLINE

Fall 2 Semesters 2024

September

Late June

1,000 Euros/month

April 1

Spring 1 Semester 2025JanuaryLate June1,000 Euros/monthJune 1


About Our Program Fees

Founded in 1947, CIEE is the leading intercultural exchange organization.

As a non-profit, CIEE relies on program fees to provide participants with placement assistance, international insurance, orientation, and support before and after arrival. The program fee ($2,350 for Fall start dates, $2,200 for January start dates) is paid in two installments:

  • $500 commitment deposit after acceptance ($1,000 for programs with TEFL)
  • Remaining balance due when you receive your teaching placement

Build teaching skills and confidence by adding a CIEE TEFL certification $1,000 ($1,195 VALUE)

Apply Now

What's Included

What's Included

  • Guaranteed placement in region of Madrid
  • Support before you depart, including expert visa guidance and online preparation course
  • Support after you arrive from CIEE staff in Madrid
  • Airport pickup and transportation to your orientation hotel on arrival day
  • Four days of orientation with topics including housing, banking, residency, health & safety, and more
  • Four nights of hotel accommodation during orientation
  • Cultural activities during orientation
  • Private Spanish health insurance with no deductibles or copayments, and 24/7 emergency assistance
Teach in Spain teachers relaxing after a busy day
The Destination
  • group shot in madrid
  • Gran Via Metro sign in Madird
  • Teach in Spain participants in front of Royal Palace

The Destination

Madrid is the cultural heart of Spain. Teachers in Madrid have the opportunity to visit world-renowned art museums, explore diverse neighborhoods, and meet with friends at its countless parks and tapas bars.

School placements are located in the Region of Madrid, in urban and suburban areas up to 120 minutes away from the city center. Teachers arrange their own housing, so they can choose to live near their schools, or commute from further away, giving everyone the option of living in the city center.

CIEE wants all our participants to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while teaching abroad. To that end, we've gathered information from local teams and perspectives from former CIEE teachers and others about conditions and cultural attitudes that teachers with specific identities might encounter abroad. We hope those resources are informative and helpful.

Please note: because of the Spanish visa process, it is not possible to plan other international travel in the three months before your program begins. Plan to be in your home country during that time.

The Take-Aways

Compensation

Monthly stipend of €1,000 in Madrid to cover basic living expenses.

Preparation

Job placement, visa application guidance, an online pre-departure course, 4-day in-country orientation, cultural activities.

Assistance

24/7 support from CIEE staff in Madrid, health insurance and emergency assistance, resources for finding housing.

Program Blogs

How Living Abroad in Spain Brings Personal Growth

By Faith M.

Traveling to Spain for the first time with CIEE has truly been an experience of a lifetime. Besides it's stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and historical heritage, you can gain something very valuable from this country. In hindsight, living in Madrid can contribute to your personal growth. Among the many benefits of living abroad, you begin to see that you are becoming more self-reliant, make friends from all over the world and are suddenly comfortable in taking risks.

How Different are Spanish Schools to American Schools?

By Deirdre C.

My understanding of Spanish primary schools is that they are mostly very similar to schools in the United States. The children are just as adorable (and rowdy), the teachers work... keep reading

Spain, Through my Tiny Camera

By Caroline B.

I explore Spain through the lens of my low quality but adorable tiny camera.

Job Description

Job Description

While teaching in Spain, you’ll serve as a Language and Culture Assistant (Auxiliares de Conversación) in a public school in the region of Madrid.  The primary responsibility of Language and Culture Assistants is to help students develop their English language skills.  You’ll do this by organizing discussions and activities in English that relate to the topics students are learning in their classes.

Language and Culture Assistants are also responsible for facilitating cultural exchange and teaching students about other cultures.  You’ll have the chance to share the cultural traditions and holidays that are important to you.  For example, you might organize fun activities related to Halloween.

You will assist local, lead teachers and will collaborate with them to design activities in English that support their lesson plans.  Exact responsibilities can vary, but you will not be responsible for grading or the independent supervision of students.

Learn More About Teaching in Spain With CIEE

Compensation 

CIEE Language and Culture Assistants in Madrid receive a monthly stipend of 1,000 Euros. For most participants, this is adequate to afford a comfortable lifestyle. If you’re careful with spending, you’ll have some money for fun and to explore Spain and other European countries. Your income will go further outside of city centers where the cost of shared accommodations, food, transportation, entertainment, etc., are lower. We will provide you with advice on how to find an affordable apartment and how to best plan your budget each month. 

Most program participants also teach private English classes, either through their school or independently. CIEE can help here, too, with advice on how to advertise and find private lessons when you get to Spain. 

CIEE participants have paid holidays around Christmas and Easter. Exact dates will be confirmed when the school calendars are approved in September. There is usually a two week break around Christmas. Participants also have Holy Week off, which is the week before Easter. Official provincial calendars are available in September.

Schools

CIEE teachers are placed at public schools participating in a governmental bilingual initiative, including kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Most schools are outside Madrid's city center, in the Community of Madrid's other cities and small towns.  If you are placed in a small town, it is possible to live in the city center and commute to your school by public transit. For our main start date in the Fall, location and age-group preferences are considered by CIEE, but we are not able to guarantee specific placement preferences. Our January start date has a smaller number of positions. This means it's not practical to consider placement preferences, so applicants must be flexible and ready to be placed anywhere in the Madrid region.

Workload

As a Language and Culture Assistant in Madrid you’ll teach 16 classroom hours per week and have a 4 day work week.  In addition to your classroom hours, you may be required to spend a few hours attending planning or professional development sessions each week.  Many Language and Culture Assistants also enjoy participating in sports clubs or other extracurricular activities at their schools. You’ll enjoy 3-day weekends with either Monday or Friday off so you’ll have plenty of time to travel, learn Spanish, or participate in local clubs and organizations. For teaching assistants, the fall semester runs from early October to just before Christmas, and the spring semester runs from early January until late June.

What People Are Saying

  • "I didn't realize how truly helpful CIEE was until I got here and spoke to people who came here on their own or through other programs and /i am honestly so grateful for the guidance that CIEE gave."

    Stuart M. | Teach in Spain

  • "CIEE was very helpful in preparing me for my trip to Spain. Upon arrival in Madrid, I was provided with step by step instructions of what I needed to do along with the necessary paperwork."

    Allison P. | Teach in Spain

  • "I was relieved to have a lot of the leg work taken care of for me in terms of paperwork and organization."

    Brandon V. | Teach in Spain

  • "The tools and aid that CIEE provides both before and during the program, as well as the initial orientation experience are worth every penny!"

    Amanda M. | Teach in Spain

  • "CIEE gives wonderful advice and a lot of support when dealing with a move abroad. They make the process much easier."

    Andrea A. | Teach in Spain

Qualifications

Qualifications

Teaching experience and Spanish language skills are not required for the position, but having some background in teaching and Spanish language skills will be helpful. Some ways to enhance your language skills are signing up for CIEE's Spanish Immersion program and learning some of the language before you arrive. You can also enhance your teaching skills by getting TEFL certified with CIEE.

Requirements

  • Native-level English fluency
  • A bachelor’s degree in any field
  • Citizenship in the United States, Canada, or Ireland
  • Must be under 60 years old on January 1 of the upcoming academic year
  • Passport must have 3+ empty pages and must be valid at least 3 months beyond end of program on June 30
  • Applicants for our program may NOT have served as a Language and Culture Assistant in Spain for any part of the preceding academic year (Oct-June)
Teacher and student in front of the class presenting
TEFL Certification

TEFL Certification

Boost your teaching skills and confidence before traveling to Spain with CIEE’s 150-Hour TEFL Certificate course.  This premium online TEFL course includes:

  • 130 hours of online coursework you can complete from anywhere
  • 20-hour teaching practicum to give you practice teaching
  • Small class sizes so you’ll build relationships with other classmates planning to teach abroad
  • ACCET accreditation recognized by US Department of Education

“This course opened my eyes to the world of TEFL.  While I do not have a degree in education, I feel more prepared to teach English in Spain this year.  The course provides you with plenty of practice, guidance, and resources to help you succeed in the classroom!”  Ashlynn H., Teach in Spain Participant.  Read more of Ashlynn’s reflection on the TEFL certificate course.

Add TEFL Certification to your CIEE Teach in Spain application and receive a $195 discount!

Apply Now

 

Staff

Our Team

Luke Beland

Associate Director

Luke studied abroad in Morocco and taught English in Jordan, and visited many other countries along the way. He is pleased to put those experiences and lessons to good use...

Lauren Massey

Teach Abroad Advisor

Lauren taught English in South Korea for two years and she has since traveled and lived in over 20 countries. Some of her favorite experiences include trekking in the Himalayas...

Laura Canadillas

IN-COUNTRY SUPPORT

Laura worked in various social services positions in France, Scotland and Thailand, before she came back to her hometown, Madrid, to support CIEE teachers in Spain.

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