A Beginner’s Guide to Teaching English in Spain Stress-Free

Insights & Tips from a First-Time English Teacher in Spain

Teaching English in Spain for the first time is both thrilling and fulfilling, but it also brings plenty of unknowns. When I arrived in 2015, I had no idea what was ahead. I landed with a jet-lagged brain, a folder of half-finished plans, and a visa checklist that never seemed done.

Moving to Spain changed my life: the friendships, the pride of living fluently in another language, and the comfort of finding a new home. Of course, I also faced my share of hurdles, which is why I created this guide to share insights I wish I’d had during my time in Spain.

Finding Your First Teaching Position in Spain

Teachers Abroad at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain

There are several types of English teaching positions in Spain: in public schools, private or bilingual schools, and after-school academies. Each has a different rhythm to the week, and requirements. Most newcomers start in public schools, managed by regional authorities. Schedules commonly include a four-day workweek with roughly 12–20 classroom hours (lighter in small regions, heavier in big cities). Consider your ideal weekly rhythm and pick the path that fits your season of life.

Work with Trusted Partners

If it’s your first time abroad or your Spanish is still at a beginner level, working with a reputable provider can save both time and energy. Companies that connect English teachers to Spain, like RVF International, offer comprehensive services. They guide you through school placements, application timelines, visa steps, and orientation while also connecting you with a community of fellow teachers from day one. The support continues once you arrive, helping you solve problems quickly and settle in with a network already in place.

Moving abroad can be challenging, so going through a program like this can facilitate the process and take the stress off your shoulders.

Understand Different Teaching Opportunities

English teaching in Spain is available in a variety of settings, each offering a unique experience and workload. Understanding the differences between each placement can help you choose an environment that best matches your skills, schedule, and goals. Here’s a closer look at what each type of opportunity entails.

• Public schools (Language Assistants): Teaching English at a public school in Spain usually involves working 4 days a week, with about 12–20 classroom hours. Lessons have a strong focus on conversation/culture, which you’ll deliver alongside lead teachers. You can expect to spend time traveling or studying Spanish.
• Private/Bilingual schools: These placements typically include traditional lead-teacher roles with more hours and responsibilities. Structure and expectations vary by school.
• Language academies: These teaching opportunities are more flexible, with afternoon and evening hours and smaller groups of students. Lessons focus on skills practice and exam preparations, with more emphasis on the latter.

Monument to Manolete outside Santa Marina de Aguas Santas, Córdoba

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What to Expect as a First-Time English Teacher in Spain

Starting your first teaching role in a foreign country can be exciting and a little overwhelming. You’ll likely experience a mix of structured lesson plans and on-the-spot improvisation, especially as you adjust to local classroom styles and student expectations. Expect to balance teaching responsibilities with trips to incredible places, immersion in Spanish culture, language practice, and building relationships with colleagues and students.

Knowing the essential stuff before you teach English in Spain helps with the nerves. While challenges like adapting to different school policies or managing a classroom in a new language may arise, they are part of the growth and learning process that makes your first teaching experience abroad so rewarding.

5 Frequently Asked Questions (and their Answers)

Teaching English in Spain raises a lot of questions for newcomers. Here are some of the most common concerns to help you feel prepared and confident.

1. Do I need to know Spanish to teach in Spain?

No, you do not need to know Spanish to teach English abroad. However, it is helpful to know a few key phrases to make your life easier inside and outside of the classroom.

Language Assistants in Spain

2. What’s a typical schedule for language assistants?

Start times vary by school—you may have a ‘late’ or ‘early’ day. Most language assistants have a 4-day week with roughly 3-5 hours on campus per day, but specifics vary by region and school.

3. How can I prepare for my first week?

Set two alarms and do a dry run of your commute at the actual start time—you’ll thank yourself when the 7:35 bus is packed. Batch one simple lesson you can reuse (quick warmer → pair task → exit ticket) and toss a no-print backup in your bag for the inevitable copier jam.

4. How do I handle nerves on day one?

Learn five names in the first ten minutes, smile more than you think you should, and aim for one small win (smooth transitions). Permit yourself to be “good enough” on day one.

5. What should I pack for the classroom on day one?

Dry-erase markers, sticky notes, a small Bluetooth speaker, a timer on your phone, and two no-print speaking backups. If the printer malfunctions, you’ll be just fine.

Your First Month, Week by Week

The Málaga Cathedral in Spain

You might not hear it often, but teaching English abroad has its challenges. The first month, in particular, can feel daunting. The good news is, breaking it down week by week helps you settle in smoothly.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect and how to navigate your initial weeks successfully:

• Week 1 – Watch & Learn: Observe 2–3 classes, learn names fast (tip: phonetic notes help), and agree with your co-teacher on two cues (attention + transition). Map the building: staff room, copier, printer queue.
• Week 2 – Simple Systems: Batch-plan a reusable lesson arc. Time transitions; aim for <2 minutes. Start a 0–3 speaking rubric so feedback is quick and consistent.
• Week 3 – Community: Join one local group (padel, intercambio, hiking). Build a “rainy-day” kit: role cards, picture prompts, and a no-print conversation ladder.
• Week 4 – Tweak & Reuse: Rotate group roles (Speaker, Recorder, Timekeeper, Coach). Reuse one successful lesson with a small twist. Do a 10-minute reflection on Friday: what to keep, what to change.

Sample of a 45-Minute Class

Here’s a typical structure for a 45-minute English lesson, giving you a glimpse of how time can be divided effectively. While every class may flow differently, this framework helps you plan warm-ups, new material, practice, and review efficiently.

1. 5-10 minutes – Warm up (question of the day, vocabulary review)
2. 10 minutes – Chance to view new material in context (read aloud, show new vocabulary with pictures)
3. 15-20 minutes – Practice new material (conversation questions to practice grammar, a game to practice vocabulary)
4. 5 minutes – Review or brain break. Reward little kids by letting them have a quick dance break. For older kids, randomly pick students to answer questions they were just practicing or to recall a vocabulary word with only a small clue.

Not every class will go smoothly, but this gives you an idea of what to expect.

Plaza de España, Seville

City vs. Small-Town Rhythm

Where you teach in Spain shapes your daily routine and experiences. Understanding the pace, commute, and social activities in each setting can help you adapt quickly and make the most of your teaching journey.

• Big cities: Test your route at rush hour because crowds change everything. Expect longer commutes but endless after-school options. Plus, schools may be larger, so note where you can find certain stuff.
• Small towns: Bus timetables can be sparse; plan errands before siesta. Carry a few euros for cafés or photocopies. The upside: faces become familiar fast, and your Spanish grows quicker.

Either way, pick one midweek routine that grounds you, like a river walk, language exchange, or calling home during golden hour. It’s also essential to choose a role that aligns with your goals and lifestyle, as this helps you manage your priorities more effectively and minimize stress.

Do you see yourself taking on a long-term position?

Read: The Pros & Cons of Teaching English in Spain

7 Tips for a Stress-Free First-Time English Teaching Job in Spain

You’re in a new country and a new classroom, but your routine doesn’t have to be chaotic. These tips blend classroom systems, cultural cues, and simple routines so you can teach well and still have a life outside of school.

1. Plan lessons ahead of time

Block two hours on Sundays to batch three pieces: a 5-minute warmer, a 20-minute core activity, and a 3-minute exit task. Keep a “rainy-day” folder with backups ready. Although many schools are technologically advanced, Wi-Fi can still be unreliable, so it’s a good rule of thumb to keep some printed activities on hand.

Of course, your role in the classroom will vary depending on what the lead teacher wants you to do. But even so, it is important to have some things in mind for when you are put on the spot and need to guide an activity quickly.

Language Assistants in Spain at Sunset

2. Keep organized documentation

Keep lesson plans, student notes, and materials in one consistent system, and stick to it:

• Drive folders, a binder, or both: Place labels such as “Warmers,” “Speaking tasks,” “Pronunciation,” and “Projects.”
• Attendance + quick notes: Create a one-page roster per class with a Notes column (behavior, strengths, accommodations).
• Assessment tracker: Use a simple rubric (0–3) for speaking tasks so grading is fast and consistent.

Reusing last month’s winning lesson next term is the definition of stress-proofing.

Bonus tip: I keep some photos in my bag of random scenes; people at a park, families at the beach, or a dinner, things like that. That way, if I ever had time to fill in class, I would have the students describe what they saw. And this works for all levels!

3. Familiarize yourself with classroom culture

Spanish classrooms are lively and social. Instead of pushing for silence, use that energy with structured pair and group work.

Once, when my timer went off and the class kept chatting, a teacher whispered, “Switch partners, same question.” It gave me five quiet minutes, and I’ve used it ever since. Not to mention that by repeating a question with different partners, you can not only fill a lot of class time but also give students a lot of practice so they can master the task!

4. Learn basic Spanish phrases

Don’t worry if you don’t know Spanish yet. Most schools prefer (or even require) that teaching assistants only speak English in the classroom, so treat Spanish as a tool for your daily life, not the language you will teach. Learning basic phrases will help you with simple tasks like grocery shopping, using public transportation, and so on. Below are a few that made my life easier.

The Málaga Cathedral in Spain

• In school (use with permission, keep it brief)
• Logistics: “En parejas/grupos de tres.” (In pairs/groups of three)
• Classroom management: “Cambia de compañero.” (Switch partners.)
• Safety/Clarity: “Escuchad, por favor.” / “Atención, por favor.” (Listen/Attention, please.)
• Outside school (huge stress-reducer)
• Housing: “¿Sigue disponible el piso? ¿Cuándo puedo verlo?” (Is the apartment still available? When can I see it?)
• Appointments: “¿Tiene citas esta semana? Prefiero por la tarde.” (Do you have appointments this week? I prefer afternoons.)
• Transport/errands: “Un abono mensual, por favor.” / “¿Dónde está la parada más cercana?” (A monthly pass, please. / Where is the nearest stop?)

Pick one task a week to do in Spanish (buy a SIM, ask for a bus card, reserve a table, order gelato). You’ll feel more confident and prouder of yourself every time.

The most important thing is not to be afraid to make mistakes. You inevitably will, and that’s ok! Most people are very kind and willing to help you figure out what you are trying to say, even if you are struggling.

5. Set up a support network

Say “yes” early. Join the staff WhatsApp group and grab Friday coffee with fellow assistants. And if you come to Spain through an English-teaching program, like the one RVF offers, take advantage of their community calls, resource libraries, and support channels. When surprises come, you’ll have quick answers and familiar faces to lean on.

6. Embrace cultural immersion

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Take part in local life by joining clubs, attending events, and learning about Spanish customs—all of which help with both teaching and integration. The way you handle classes improves when your life in Spain expands. Beyond knowing how to cook regional dishes, show curiosity about the festivals and traditions your students celebrate. These can become authentic conversation topics and instant relevant lesson hooks.

I joined groups that did the same types of things I liked doing in the States so that I could meet people with the same interests, and it was great!

7. Maintain work-life balance

Dedicate time outside school to socializing, hobbies, or travel. Plan a language exchange, neighborhood walk, or midweek tapas with friends. Spain’s rhythm (late dinners, long lunches) invites rest and connection.

Take advantage of a typically moderate teaching schedule; set a hard stop on lesson planning and explore your host city. With a workday lasting only three to five hours for many language assistants, until the early afternoon, travel and hobbies are realistic!

More on maintaining work-life balance as an English teacher abroad

First Time Teaching in Spain? Turn “Stress-Ful” into Sun & Fun

Teaching in Spain is a chance to live overseas, grow as an educator, and experience a new culture firsthand. With thorough preparation and comprehensive support, your first month or first year doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Batch your lessons, borrow local routines, build your people, and protect a couple of evenings for life outside of school. The rest comes faster than you think.

This article is written in collaboration with RVF International, founded by Harrison Fowler and inspired by his early years in Spain. RVF focuses on transparency, human support, and culturally rich experiences so first-time teachers can navigate visas, placements, and school life with confidence.