TEFL Madrid Academy

TEFL Madrid Academy

Why choose TEFL Madrid Academy?

At TEFL Madrid, we help you find a learning or teaching route that fits your plans—not just a destination on a map. Our Spain programmes centre on Madrid, with different options for TEFL training, teaching practice, language learning and settling into life in Spain. Each route has its own requirements and inclusions.

We also offer 120-hour TEFL programmes in San José, Costa Rica; Antigua, Guatemala; and Cusco, Peru. These combine classroom observation, teaching practice and tutor feedback with programme-specific arrival and local support. The Antigua route also includes Spanish immersion.

Prefer to study from home? Our independent 120-hour online TEFL course is self-paced, with tutor feedback and a TEFL certificate. It is separate from our Spain relocation packages.

Tell us about your experience, preferred destination and timing. Contact our team to compare the available routes and clarify fees, entry requirements and support before you book.

Find your TEFL route: Madrid, Latin America or online

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

At TEFL Madrid Academy, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where BIPOC students feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We actively foster diversity in our classrooms and ensure that our teaching practices are culturally sensitive, providing equitable opportunities for all learners. Our aim is to empower students from all backgrounds to succeed in their TEFL journey.
TEFL Madrid Academy proudly supports the LGBTQIA+ community by promoting a safe, affirming, and inclusive space for all students. We actively embrace diversity in gender and sexual identity, ensuring that our programs and policies reflect this commitment. Our goal is to ensure every student can thrive without fear of discrimination or exclusion.
Our teacher-training approach includes small groups, practical tasks and feedback. If you have particular learning or support needs, speak with our team before enrolment so we can discuss the format and any arrangements available for your chosen course.
We aim to make teacher training welcoming and accessible. Before booking, contact our team with any physical access, health or accommodation needs so we can discuss the available arrangements for your chosen course and location; specific facilities or adjustments should be confirmed in advance.

Impact 🌎

TEFL Madrid Academy is committed to promoting sustainability in all aspects of our operations. We strive to minimize our environmental footprint by incorporating eco-friendly practices into our curriculum and day-to-day activities. Our goal is to contribute positively to the environment and inspire our students to adopt sustainable practices in their teaching careers.
At TEFL Madrid Academy, we prioritize ethical programming by ensuring our students engage responsibly with local communities and environments. We balance enriching educational experiences with mindful respect for the cultural and environmental sustainability of the regions we operate in, ensuring a positive impact for both our students and the communities they interact with.

Reviews

Joyce
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Opened my eyes

I initially had a limited perspective on what a teaching career could look like until conversations started with TEFL Madrid Academy, where they dedicated a lot of time to explain the process and offer solutions that fit my current busy lifestyle and budget. Courses were so informative about what the actual teaching abroad experience is like; each teacher was so generous with their own stories. I felt encouraged by all the staff and teacher at multiple points throughout the course to keep going and constantly reminded of the occupational freedom that awaits at the end. I’m grateful to have stumbled upon the Academy. I had previously attempted multiple routes to moving and teaching abroad and hadn’t been accommodated in the way the Academy had been so willing to. The course not only teaches you the essentials needed for building English language skills, it also exposes you to local cultural norms, varying teaching paths/opportunities that could be taken, and how best to approach actually acquiring a job in the field. The one-on-one and live aspect of the classes is essential for understanding the material and being able to have your questions answered at the time they arise was priceless.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep an open mind and commit to the process. The path may get blurry, but anchor yourself in your willingness to learn and you’ll be fine.
Pros
  • Accommodating
  • Personalized interactions
  • Encouraged autonomy
What other participants should know
  • Dedication is needed
  • Time difference is relevant
Avery
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

From training to teaching faster than I expected

I chose TEFL Madrid because I didn’t just want a certificate. I wanted to actually teach in Spain and know what I was doing when I stepped into a classroom. Looking back, that was absolutely the right decision.

What stood out most was how practical the course is. From the beginning, everything is focused on real teaching situations: lesson planning, classroom management, dealing with different student levels, and understanding how academies in Spain actually work. Nothing felt theoretical or outdated. You’re constantly encouraged to think like a real teacher, not just a student completing assignments.

Another huge plus was the job support. TEFL Madrid doesn’t treat job assistance as an “extra”, it’s built into the whole experience. They helped with CVs, interviews, and understanding what schools are really looking for. I felt guided, not rushed, and definitely not left on my own at the end.

The trainers are experienced, honest, and very approachable. You can tell they actually work in the TEFL world and care about setting people up properly, not selling unrealistic expectations.

If your goal is to teach English in Spain and you want a smooth transition into real work, this program gives you structure, confidence, and clarity. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants a serious but supportive entry into teaching.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take the course seriously and treat it like professional training, not just a certificate to tick a box. If you engage fully with the feedback and job preparation, you’ll feel much more confident when you start teaching.
Pros
  • Strong focus on real classroom skills
  • Clear and honest job guidance
  • Supportive trainers with real TEFL experience
What other participants should know
  • The course is intensive, so it requires good time management
  • You need to be proactive to get the most out of the job support
  • You need to stay organized to keep up with assignments
Adam
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Practical training that actually builds confidence

I decided to do my TEFL course with TEFL Madrid Academy because I wanted something practical and grounded in real teaching, not just an online certificate. The course does a good job of easing you into teaching while still challenging you to think like a real teacher.

What I appreciated most was how clear and honest the training felt. The feedback was detailed but supportive, and it helped me improve without feeling overwhelmed. Being in Madrid also added a lot to the experience learning in an active academy environment made everything feel more real and relevant.

Coming from Australia, I found the course very accessible and well structured. By the end, I felt confident planning lessons, managing a classroom, and understanding what schools are actually looking for. It’s a solid option if you want to feel prepared, not rushed, and ready to start teaching.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don’t rush through the course just to finish it. The more you engage with the feedback and actually try things your own way, the more confident you’ll feel by the end. Treat it like real training, not just a requirement, and you’ll get much more out of the experience.
Pros
  • Practical training focused on real classrooms
  • Supportive and constructive feedback
  • Good preparation for teaching right after the course
What other participants should know
  • Requires steady effort and time management
  • Some assignments can feel intense if you’re working at the same time
  • Not ideal if you’re looking for a very casual or hands-off course
Platt
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Practical, honest, and very job-focused

I chose TEFL Madrid Academy because I wanted a course that actually prepared me to start teaching, not just another certificate. What I liked most is how practical everything is. The course focuses on what really happens in classrooms and what schools are actually looking for when they hire teachers.

Because TEFL Madrid is also a working English academy, the advice around jobs feels realistic and useful. There’s no overpromising or generic information, it’s based on real experience. The training helps you understand how to plan lessons, manage a class, and feel confident standing in front of students from day one.

The staff were always available and supportive, especially when it came to questions about finding work and next steps after finishing the course. I finished feeling prepared and ready to start teaching right away. If your main goal is to move quickly into teaching English and feel confident doing it, this course makes that possible.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Teaching for the first time and realizing that things don’t always go exactly as planned. Once I accepted that it’s normal and focused on communicating clearly with students, everything started to feel more natural.
Pros
  • Very practical and job-oriented
  • Honest guidance about teaching opportunities
  • Supportive staff with real teaching experience
What other participants should know
  • Requires steady commitment and time
  • Not ideal if you want a very light or passive course
  • Feedback can be detailed and requires effort to apply
Ariel Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Challenging, supportive, and genuinely life-changing

I completed my TEFL course with TEFL Madrid and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The course strikes a really good balance between theory and real, practical teaching skills. It’s not one of those programs where you just read PDFs and tick boxes, you are constantly applying what you learn through lesson planning, feedback, and real classroom observation.

What stood out the most for me was the level of support. The trainers are incredibly approachable and genuinely invested in your progress. Whenever I had questions or doubts, I received detailed feedback that helped me improve, not just “pass” the course. The academic level is high, but in a good way, it pushes you to think like a real teacher, not just someone collecting a certificate.

Coming from Trinidad & Tobago, I was a bit nervous about doing a program based in Europe, but the team made everything feel very accessible and international. I finished the course feeling confident, prepared, and excited to start teaching. If you’re looking for a TEFL course that actually prepares you for the classroom and treats you like a future professional, this is it.

What was your funniest moment?
One of my funniest moments was during a lesson plan submission when I completely overthought a simple warm-up activity and wrote way too much. The feedback I got was super kind but very honest, basically saying “you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.” It was a great reminder that teaching doesn’t have to be perfect, just effective.
Pros
  • Very supportive and responsive trainers
  • Strong focus on practical, real-world teaching skills
  • You don’t need a Bachelor’s degree to enroll
What other participants should know
  • You really need to manage your time well
  • Feedback is very detailed, which means revisions take time
  • It requires consistent commitment throughout the course

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Carlos Garcia

Job Title
TEFL Instructor
Carlos Garcia, originally from New York, is a TEFL instructor at TEFL Madrid Academy. With a background in art, he has fallen in love with both the city of Madrid and his teaching career.
Carlos Garcia

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories is when I first arrived in Madrid. I was immediately captivated by the city's vibrant energy, rich history, and welcoming people. Exploring hidden corners of the city, stumbling upon local art galleries, and enjoying tapas in quaint plazas truly immersed me in the culture. It was the moment I knew I wanted to stay longer and share my passion for this incredible city with others through teaching English.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working at TEFL Madrid Academy has given me the chance to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve become more confident as an educator, learning to adapt my teaching methods to students' diverse learning styles. I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for the impact we have on our student’s lives as we equip them with the tools to open new doors. The collaborative environment here pushes me to continue evolving and improving.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of my favorite stories comes from a student who, after completing our TEFL program, moved to Southeast Asia to teach English. She told me how the skills she learned at TEFL Madrid helped her adjust quickly, build connections with locals, and inspire her students. Hearing about her journey, and how our training prepared her for success, was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed the value of what we do.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could participate in any of our programs, I would choose the cultural immersion experience in Spain. It’s the perfect blend of intensive language teaching and experiencing the vibrant culture firsthand. Learning from locals, exploring the country, and practicing teaching in such a dynamic environment is an invaluable opportunity for any aspiring TEFL teacher.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

What makes TEFL Madrid Academy stand out is our commitment to personalized, hands-on training and our supportive, close-knit team. I felt especially proud of my colleagues during a recent event where we collaborated on a charity teaching project. Seeing everyone come together with such passion to make a difference showed just how much we care about our students and our community.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe the biggest factor in TEFL Madrid Academy’s success is our dedication to student success and real-world preparation. We don’t just teach theory; we provide practical training that empowers our students to succeed as teachers anywhere in the world. Our support extends beyond the classroom, helping students build confidence and creating a genuine sense of community.

Professional Associations

Alliance for International Exchange Logo
The Forum on Education Abroad Logo