How To Teach Abroad In Spain
Where I Started…
Teaching abroad has been my dream since I started college. I knew I wanted to be a teacher and I assumed I would work in the US for a few years and then teach abroad for maybe a year. However, I am now making that undervalued dream a reality. In the fall of 2022, I went to Spain for a month and had the privilege of seeing my friend who is an English teacher in Barcelona. After seeing her I redirected my idea of getting my masters and took these crucial steps to land a job in Spain fall of 2023.
the list
My Year Long Preparation to
Teach Abroad In Spain
Everything I did to secure a job in Spain
01
TEFL Certification
The International TEFL Academy
Reasons I Chose Them:https://thetravelingbelle.blog/tefl-certification/
- Job search guidance for the rest of your life
- The course material is extremely helpful
- Great flexibility in when you take the course and for how long
- Very knowledgeable about any country you are interested in
- A wonderful sense of community that they encourage
02
Apply to programs
NALCAP v. Up International https://thetravelingbelle.blog/choosing-a-program-to-teach-abroad/
Both have a very similar pay and hours. The key difference was in the application process, having aid or not in moving, and requirements.
For NALCAP you hardly talk to anyone during the application process- making it very confusing. They also provide no help with the VISA process or moving process.
Up International does hold your hand through everything and they keep a constant line of communication. However, they require that you take a Spanish course at the local university.
03
BE PATIENT
This is a 6 month process.
You usually send your application in around February or March and you won’t get an actual placement until June. So, don’t freak out if you haven’t heard anything yet- it will come.
07
The visa application
Here is a condensed list of everything you need for your VISA Application to teach abroad in Spain:https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/nalcap/applying-visa.html
- National VISA Application Form
- 2 passport sized photographs (one will be glued on the application)
- Passport original and copy
- Acceptance letter
- Criminal Record Check- Original
- Criminal Record Check- Translated
- Criminal Record Check – Apostille
- Medical Certificate
- Proof of residence (scan of drivers license)
- Money order of $160
- Express mail envelope with prepaid stamps
- Print of name, email, and phone number
All of this took exactly a year to complete. During that time, work and save as much money as possible to fund the first couple months of your life and to travel! Here is a link to my packing list! https://thetravelingbelle.blog/packing-list-to-move-to-spain/
Good Luck!