TEFL in Barcelona: Accredited Training by The TEFL Institute for ESL Careers

All of the courses that we offer are known around the world as being amazing examples of what TEFL qualifications can do for people in terms of getting job offers. However, the big course that all the employers will look for is the 120-hour qualification. It’s key for getting the best results, and it provides you with an accelerated qualification designed to get you into teaching as fast as possible. After all, you don’t want to waste any time. With that being said, the course is still made up of the usual 120 hours, which is agreed around the world as being the minimum amount of study time that you would need to be capable of teaching English as a foreign language abroad. That’s why we offer it to people.

This certification is designed to give you the tools and skills you need to start teaching English as a foreign language in whatever setting you’d like – from a public school classroom to a private tutoring session at your home in Barcelona. Whatever you want to do with your TEFL career, our certification will help you to do just that.

As we’ve previously said, this has been designed to be our fast-track certification, and it is there to ensure you are ready to teach in as little time as possible. With that in mind, you’ll be able to complete this course in as little as four weeks of study. You’ll be given a course made up of video, audio and quizzes to help you learn.

The entry requirements that we have are made to be pretty minimal, so you won’t have to worry about needing much to get started. As long as you’ve got something like a phone, laptop or tablet that can connect to the internet and a C1 level of proficiency in English, you’ll be able to start your learning journey with us.

As a service provider, we are constantly looking for new ways to learn and grow. This means that the courses we offer are made specifically to help you thrive – with this in mind, you’ll be able to access a dedicated app which we’ve made for our students, and your employers can use the website to verify the authenticity of your qualification, so there’s no need to worry.

We’ve tried to make your training to become an English teacher as easy to do as possible, which is why we’ve put 10 modules together for you to study. Each module can be accessed in text, audio or video format, so you can easily create a learning experience which works for you.

We have designed the course to not only be easy to work with, but also to be usable around the world. After all, we know how important it is to be able to travel any which way you want and enjoy your freedom, which is why we’ve done our best to give you tools that work for you.

We find that students take four weeks of study to complete the course. However, as most people probably don’t have four weeks to put towards dedicated studying, we give each learner a six month period to finish their certification. This means that you can build your studies around things like work and family obligations.

Your new TEFL certification will allow you to reach anywhere in Spain you’d like, or to go around the world. However, if you’ve got your heart set on building your career in Barcelona, then there are a few things you should know about. You’ve got four primary options for your career in Spain so let’s take a look at all of them.

Public Schools

You can sometimes find a good job working in a public school if you’ve got the qualifications to do so. It’s hard but at the same time, you can make it if you’ve got a degree and teaching qualification to go with your TEFL certificate. Your main roadblock to doing this is the fact that public education often demands strict qualifications and is therefore inaccessible at first to a newly qualified teacher. However, it is a long-term goal for many once they’ve settled into their new lives.

International Schools

Private schools tend to be a little bit different than public schools because they cost money to attend. However, the type of education they offer is usually a little more sophisticated and above the standard experience. As this is an education which is a little more global, English is a foreign language which is learnt by a lot of students and is thus highly popular. The compensation available for teachers who are willing to teach the courses is also much higher too. You can expect to see a higher salary and extra perks like free accomodation or travel costs. It’s a lucrative contract to try and land.

The only main drawback to this is that you will often find yourself having to compete with teachers from across the country, and the qualifications you’ll need will be much higher. However, don’t be discouraged – you may well get one of these coveted positions in the future once you’ve built up experience and knowledge.

Language Schools

Teaching English as a foreign language is definitely easiest if you get a job at a language school. After all, these types of schools exist all over the world and they’re often more than happy to offer a first job to prospective teachers who are keen to build up experience and earn a salary.

Language schools cater to older people who want to learn English as an adult for work or other purposes. You’ll be in good stead if you can teach business English, as this is becoming increasingly popular. You’ll primarily find yourself working on the weekends and in the evenings, as these people are juggling work and family commitments. However, you may only get a contract for 25-30 hours a week, so you should look into things like tutoring to supplement your income and keep making a good wage.

Tutoring

Tutoring is something you can do with your TEFL qualification at any point and starting your own business is often a good way to get some extra cash in and also build up your resume. You can pick who you teach and when, as well as your prices, as it is wholly your business and your decision. You’ll need to declare the income you make and pay tax on it so it isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, but it can definitely top up your wage.

Naturally, to start teaching English as a foreign language in Spain you will have to go through the standard process of submitting an application to get a visa. You can usually start off with a permit to work, but you’ll have to go through the steps required to apply for permanent residency if you want to stay in Spain.

The requirements for applying for a visa can vary depending on where you’re coming from and what you’re trying to do. Honestly, we would recommend that you look at the requirements for your country of origin, and also take the time to prepare your resume to highlight all of the new skills you’ve gained from your TEFL certification.

Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most vibrant and enjoyable places in Spain, so it is well worth exploring if you’re in the area. The nightlife is often considered to be the best part of Barcelona but it’s also a charming place to live, if you’re into sunny weather and friendly locals.

Seville

Seville is a richly cultural area and one you should check out if you’ve got the time. It also has a growing TEFL industry like Barcelona, making it a great choice for a teacher looking to put down roots.

The amount of money that you can make as a TEFL teacher working in Spain will depend on a few different things. Your qualifications and skills will direct which jobs you can and can not get, so it is worth investing into yourself as much as possible and constantly seeking new opportunities to learn and grow.

The average salary for someone in Spain working full time is about €1700. This may not seem like a lot when you compare it to places like the United Kingdom, but the truth is that the cost of living across most of Europe isn’t as high as you might think.

It’s possible to enjoy a good standard of living in Spain if you’re clever about what you do and how you do things. Right now, at time of writing, Spain is 24% less expensive to live in than the UK.

If you want to get the most from your life in Barcelona, then your best bet is to eat local, don’t use things like cars and rent just outside the city limits to cut costs.

• Salary: €1700
• Average Rent: €950
• Utilities: €130
• Public Transport Pass: €35
• Milk: €1
• Bread: €1.20

To find the cost of living figures, we use Numbeo.com, the world’s largest cost of living comparison website.