Teaching English in Madrid: Qualifications, Salary, and More

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a metropolis filled with culture and history. As the most populated city in Spain, Madrid is bustling with teaching positions, making it very easy to get Englsih teaching jobs despite the competition. There are many schools and language academies looking to hire native English speakers who have a bachelor’s degree. Because of the fantastic balance between work and leisure, teaching English in Madrid is a highlight of any Spanish experience. While staying in Madrid, you can easily travel to other cities in Spain like Barcelona or European countries like France.

Due to the economic crisis in Spain, many are unemployed and upgrading. This means there are many wonderful opportunities for you as an English teacher in Madrid. You can choose to work in schools, academies, businesses, or even independently. Learning English is such a valuable skill for workers in Madrid. Therefore, you will be able to look for the best Englsih teaching jobs Madrid in Spain to suit your needs.

Below is the total guide to everything you’ll need to know if you want to teach in Madrid, including English teaching jobs Madrid.

Teaching English in Madrid

Even without a TEFL certification, you will be able to find work in this country as its demand for teachers grows each year. With experience, you will be able to find any type of employment, including prestigious jobs at private and international academies. Although the higher-paying positions with better benefits are more competitive and usually require better qualifications, there are still many jobs that don’t require native English speakers to have any TEFL certification.

While TEFL certification is a benefit and is a requirement for private institutions, you can still find a position. Also, some proficiency in Spanish is expected for most positions. With an enviable work culture and a fantastic attitude toward life, teachers in Spain might just have the best English teaching jobs in Europe. You may also want to consider teaching ESL in Turkey or teaching in Finland. 

Requirements to Teach English in Madrid

There are a few requirements in order to teach English in Madrid. Though it varies by the institution, to compete in a larger city, at a minimum, you will need:

• bachelor’s degree
• passport from a native English-speaking country
• (most likely) some level of Spanish

For private institutions, you will need TEFL/CELTA certification and previous teaching experience. Even though it’s not absolutely necessary for public schools and tutoring, getting this additional certification will help you land a job. But don’t worry, TEFL certification will make you employable all over the world.

Now, keep reading for everything you need to know about English teaching jobs in Madrid. Or, you may want to consider another country? Find out more here: TEFL In Europe.

Salary  and Cost of Living for English Teaching Jobs in Madrid

Check out this quick list of average salaries for English teaching jobs in Madrid.

• Language and Cultural Assistant – Є700 – Є1300 per month for 15-20 hours of work a week
• Private Schools and Language Academies – Є1,500-2,000 per month
• International Schools – Є1,600 – 3,000 per month
• Private Tutor – Є20 – Є22 per hour plus living stipends

The most common jobs are language and cultural assistant positions. Although private and international schools offer higher salaries, they are rarer and more competitive. If your goal is to get one of these more prestigious jobs, you will need the qualifications, and you will need to apply within Spain.  Visa-sponsored programs pay a flat rate each month. But if you are working at a language academy or tutoring, you are paid by the hour.

If you’re looking to save a bit more money, consider TEFL in Poland or Teaching ESL in Hungary they have similar salaries but a lower cost of living.

Housing in Madrid

Fortunately, it is very easy to find housing in Madrid. While none of the teaching programs in Madrid offer housing as a perk, your employer can guide you on how to find affordable housing. But, because Madrid is an international city, there are many rental agencies that work specifically with ex-pats. Often, you will not even have to worry about purchasing furniture!

However, Madrid’s relaxed housing market also has some consequences. Although it is illegal, many tenants will move into an apartment without signing a contract. As an extra precaution, as a foreigner, you should sign a lease before making the move.

Best yet, rent is very affordable, usually between 300-500 euros if you are sharing a flat with roommates. Utilities average around 40 dollars a month, and affordable groceries can be found at local markets. The monthly abono (metro and bus pass) is 55 euros a month, but this will let you travel all over the city. The cost of living in Madrid might seem high, but if you are savvy with your spending and negotiate a good salary, you will have plenty of money left over to enjoy the nightlife in Madrid.

What to Expect When Teaching English in Madrid

Madrid has a fantastic work and leisure culture that will be exciting for you to experience. With a balance between relaxation and hard work, the savvy spender can thrive in this metropolis.

Classroom and Work Culture

Fortunately, Spain has a fantastic work culture, where hourly wages and salaries are high, and work hours per week are lower than North American standards. It is very common for schools to have a two-hour long lunch break while students socialize outside.

Private teachers and language assistants can expect to work around 15-20 hours a week while making enough to live on. Even full-time positions prioritize a healthy work to leisure ratio. There is a relaxed dress code, so long as you are dressed respectfully. Also, in Spain, teachers take a more hands-on, interactive approach that might be unfamiliar to North American teachers who have more experience with standardized testing. As a teacher in Spain, you are expected to manage your classroom similarly to classrooms in North America.

Government-Sponsored Programs

One notable institution is the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP), which places native English and French speakers all over the country to teach English in Spain. NALCAP is sponsored by Spain’s Ministry of Education and is one of the most popular ways for foreigners to find English teaching jobs in Madrid. As a government program, it covers medical insurance and monthly pay.

These programs don’t require any prior teaching experience, only that you have a bachelor’s degree and are a native English speaker. Although these are the easiest jobs to get in Spain, you can’t ensure placement in Madrid, but you can select it as your top choice. All positions are in public schools, and you will work between 12 to 16 hours a week. You can choose between primary and secondary, depending on your preferences. Likely, if you’re placed in Madrid, you will be placed in a school within the city limits or suburbs.

Regional Visa-Sponsored Programs

While the downside of the North American Language and Culture Assistants program is that it doesn’t guarantee you a place in Madrid, the UCETAM program is based in Madrid and only places its language assistants in schools there. You can also choose one of the surrounding suburbs or areas. Working in this program, you will have the choice to work 17 or 25 hours a week. For 25 hours, you will get around 1450 euros a month, and for 17 hours a week, you will get between 700 and 900 euros. One of the perks of this program is the health insurance that comes with it.

BEDA Madrid is another regional visa-sponsored program that also has medical insurance. With the BEDA program, you can choose to work 18, 20, 22, or 24 hours a week for between 900-1200 euros a month. For both of these programs, you will need a bachelor’s degree and prior teaching experience. However, TEFL certification is not required (though it always helps). Depending on the school you work at, you might even be in charge of the class and planning lessons!

Types of English Teaching Jobs in Madrid

As a teacher in Madrid, you will have many opportunities to work in public or private institutions. You can even venture off on your own and tutor privately or become a volunteer ESL teacher abroad. Here is a quick look at the most common positions available to teach English in Madrid.

The easiest way to get a high-paying job with great benefits is to apply for jobs within Spain. When you are applying locally, and especially if you are TEFL/CELTA certified, you will be able to find a job much easier. Otherwise, check out popular institutions like Meddeas Spain, which has over 200 educational centers. Many of which are in Madrid.

Language and Cultural Assistant

If you’re looking to enter the public education system, there are many positions available through the North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain. These positions are easier to obtain, so you will only need to be a native English speaker with a degree. This is a perfect opportunity for young professionals with a degree who are looking to get experience teaching.

The job runs from the beginning of the primary and secondary school years in October and ends in May. As a language and culture assistant, your job will be to support local teachers and facilitate conversational activities with students. It’s a great opportunity to exchange cultures!

Private Schools/Language Academies

These are the most abundant English teaching jobs in Spain. If you are TEFL/CELTA certified, it is very easy to land a contract at a private school or language academy. Madrid has many of these opportunities, and they compete with each other to get the best teachers. Therefore, you will need some Spanish and teaching experience.

TEFL INTL certification is always a benefit and usually lands you a higher salary. These are full-time positions where you will have benefits and vacation time. It is easier to land one of these jobs if you are already living in Spain. It may seem like a risk to move before you land a contract, but remember that there is a high demand for English teachers in Spain.

International Schools

If you want to teach English in Madrid, there are many international schools with positions regularly available. These schools offer instruction in many languages. Usually, it is English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. As Spain is a highly desired destination, many ex-pat children attend these schools.

The models of education often follow American, British, or French schools, which will make the transition to teaching English in Madrid Spain much easier. Teachers here will need to be familiar with the International Baccalaureate curriculum or the International Primary Curriculum. Positions at these schools are very competitive and given to highly qualified teachers.

Private Tutoring

Children, teenagers, university students, and professionals of all types are all seeking private tutors. Families will often hire an experienced teacher to tutor all of their children, which means that private tutoring can be a very lucrative English teaching job Madrid in Spain. Private tutoring is a great option if you are looking to immerse yourself in the culture of Spain.

Often you will live with the family you are tutoring and will give private lessons several times a week. As you will be living with your family, your accommodation is included as a benefit in addition to a modest living allowance. As a private tutor, whether you are living with your students or not, you are truly able to connect with the heart of Spain.

Things to Consider When Teaching English in Madrid

Looking for a quick glance at teaching in Madrid? Or are you looking to double-check your facts before you make the trip to this amazing country? Check out this quick guide to essential knowledge for teaching English in Madrid.

• When looking for an apartment, check out rental websites like Idealista, Vibbo, and En Alquiler.
• Lingo Bingo is a great service to advertise your private tutoring services
• Word of mouth is one of the best ways to get English teaching jobs Madrid. Ask fellow teachers and other professionals!
• Loquo is a fantastic place to look for language academy positions. It’s basically Spanish Craigslist.

Teaching ESL in Madrid FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about these teaching positions. Here is the answer to some of the most popular ones.

How much do English teachers make in Madrid?

English teachers in Madrid can expect to make between 1000-3000 Euros per month. However, it’s possible to supplement your income with private teaching for 20-22 Euros per hour.

How can I work as an English teacher in Madrid?

To work as an English teacher in Madrid, you’ll need a university degree and be from a native English-speaking country. Many schools will also require you to have a TEFL certificate.

Does Madrid need English Teachers?

There is certainly a demand for English teachers in Madrid, the largest city in Spain. Some schools will only hire people from the EU or those on a student visa. However, people from the USA or Canada may still find opportunities to teach English there.

Join the Conversation to Teach English in Spain

The options for English teaching jobs Madrid in Spain are quire promising. What are your thoughts about teaching English in Madrid? Is it the right option for you, or are you looking for another high-paying European destination like Sweden? If the climate and culture are what interests you, Thailand is an amazing place for teachers to practice their craft.