Program Reviews

Having wanted to move to Spain for the last 13 years and not getting around to it, I decided last September that it was time. However, Brexit has made it very hard. I looked around for job opportunities after completing my Level 5 TEFL Course online last Summer and stumbled across Canterbury English. I looked on their website in detail and saw the Madrid Lifestyle program, and then pinched myself thinking this was actually a possibility! I applied and shortly received an invitation for an interview with Richard. He was very enthusiastic throughout, and provided lots of detail about the program, what to expect, and the culture of living in Spain.

The visa process was hard, but Canterbury English provided really useful documentation on what to expect and what needed to be done. If you treat it like a project, it will go a lot smoother!

CE was constantly keeping in touch throughout the process and was there to answer any questions. I needed my enrolment letter changed within a day after waiting a couple of weeks for the Spain School to receive my original one, and they returned a new corrected one within the day so I could attend my visa appointment.

I moved here in January and my orientation day was very informative and helpful, with useful documentation to start life here in Madrid. What I like about it most is they provide daily Spanish classes and assist with you creating a CV and finding jobs by sending your CV to schools, but it's up to you to build your life here in Spain and make it your own! I think it's the best of both!

There are weekly excursions at the weekend which are fun to spend time with peers and meet others, as well as explore Madrid and surrounding areas.

I am so happy I made this move and I want to make the most of this amazing opportunity!

My time with Canterbury English in Spain was an incredible experience. This program offered a perfect balance of professional development and enriching cultural immersion, making it an unforgettable chapter in my life. The program truly shone in its commitment to cultural immersion. The organized activities and trips were fantastic. These experiences provided a deeper understanding of Spanish history, art, and traditions, enriching my overall experience and creating lasting memories. I must also commend the quality of the Spanish classes offered by the program. The instructors were excellent, creating a fun and engaging learning environment. The classes were structured in a way that effectively improved my grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend Canterbury English to anyone looking for a rewarding and enriching experience in Spain.

After years of teaching English in Istanbul,I had always dreamt of going abroad once I retired. For this reason, I did a lot of research for about 2 or 3 years on how I could go to a European country. I had many questions marks in my mind, such as what I could do, which jobs I could apply for, or in which country I could work. Finally, I found an amazing opportunity through Canterbury English on LinkedIn which has changed my life completely for the better. If you want to do the same like me, look no further! At first it seemed like a very compelling idea. I put a lot of emphasis on issues such as learning Spanish and getting a student visa. But thanks to Richard, everything went very well. Richard and his team helped me during difficult times especially the visa procedures. That's why I got a response that exceeded my expectations. I had already noticed that other Spanish courses were much more expensive and had less support. This motivated me even more.

Enrolling in Canterbury English's Madrid Lifestyle+TEFL program was an amazing journey. Richard's support and guidance from Lawyer Paola Altez ensured a smooth visa application process. Throughout my time with Canterbury English, their exceptional support remained consistent. They were always ready to assist with any challenges, providing necessary documents and valuable advice. While securing a teaching schedule requires personal effort, Canterbury offers valuable assistance. In November 2023, I relocated to Madrid through Canterbury's program. The experience exceeded my expectations with its comprehensive Spanish lessons, teaching enhancements, and enriching cultural experiences. Thanks to Canterbury's dedication, my experience was deeply fulfilling, and I highly recommend their programs

In 2021, I spontaneously decided to move to Madrid after discovering the Canterbury English lifestyle programme. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Moving to a new country is never easy, but the supportive staff and fellow Canterbury students made the transition smooth and enjoyable. The programme has really enriched my life!

One of the highlights has been the Spanish classes, which have significantly improved my language skills. Thanks to these classes, I recently sat the DELE B1 exam and can now confidently navigate the city on my own. The programme's structure ensures that learning is both effective and engaging, making the entire process enjoyable.

Madrid is a great city, and the Canterbury English programme has ensured that I make the most of it. Weekends are packed with cultural events, allowing me to immerse myself in the local culture and history. I’ve particularly enjoyed trips to nearby cities such as Segovia and Toledo. Also, I've made lifelong friendships with people I would never have met otherwise.

As a music and flamenco enthusiast, living in Spain has been a dream come true. I take weekly flamenco classes and I am well integrated into that community, allowing me to participate in something cultural that I am passionate about.

Overall, the Madrid lifestyle programme has been an incredible journey of learning, cultural immersion, and personal growth. The combination of language support, cultural activities, and a welcoming community has made my time in Madrid unforgettable - I never want to leave!

In my opinion, you must absolutely join the beautiful family of Canterbury English! I have a lot of reasons to say so; joining this beautiful family has transformed my life for the better.
I am from a non-English speaking country. First of all, Canterbury English have had confidence in my abilities as a teacher without prejudice in spite of me being a non-native speaker. What they are really looking for is talent; for me, this is a factor that distinguishes Canterbury English. I used to teach at university before coming to Spain, but I needed a change in my life, a new adventure and CE have become the key in making this big change in my life.
During the process of me arriving in Spain, they were extremely supportive in the visa process. They specified each specific action to take to obtain the visa without any problem. They were easily contacted in the case of any problem and were extremely friendly. I could obtain the visa in a very short time as the result of the perfect guidance from CE.
From the time when I arrived in Spain until now, they have been like a family to me, trying to resolve problems I have encountered whether regarding opening a bank account or getting empadronamiento ( which is extremely important in Spain ) or finding students to support myself. Richard, the founder, is a true citizen of the world, very friendly, approachable and supportive.
I am happy that I am living in this beautiful country, with the Canterbury English family. I now can speak Spanish at advanced level ( a language I didn't speak even a bit before coming here ) and am experiencing the beautiful Spanish culture. All this has been made possible thanks to Canterbury English!
Now I have been with CE for almost 3 years and I can speak a new language in addition to English and my native language, know a lot of good people and my life has been more exciting. The experience of each person must be different when they make a change in their lives; for me, coming to Spain through CE has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

I've recently started the Madrid Lifestyle program with Canterbury English. CE has provided a lot of helpful information and it makes the transition to Spain so much easier. The group excursions on Saturdays are interesting and fun and a great way to meet others. I'm loving my Spanish classes and there is a lot of work teaching English in Spain.
Madrid is a beautiful and vibrant city and Canterbury Madrid Lifestyle program has made it possible for me to live here and have an amazing new adventure.
You can do it too!

When I landed in Madrid, I wanted to teach but then I realised because of the whole Brexit situation I had only had 90 days to stay.

However, Richard and the team at Canterbury English told me exactly what to do. The following Monday they connected me with their lawyer who got my paperwork underway.

Now residing in the country legally, Richard helped me explore my teaching options

Although the teaching industry in Spain is quieter in the summer months, he sign-posted and networked me, so I could hit the ground running when the school term started.

As such I secured a one-month placement teaching on2one English at a well-known school and then a contract at another academy for the entire academic year shortly after. I was very grateful for the security this brought.

Looking back, Canterbury English was the best choice for me. There are of course other programs out there, and they do a lot of the work for you, but you need to apply way ahead in advance. Unfortunately, this was not possible for me. I was applying later. However, Richard and his team were nevertheless able to help me. They are very flexible and give you the tools you need to succeed. You have to help make it happen, and you are more in control, with their help every step of the way.

I have lived in Spain twice before but this was pre-Brexit when everything was a lot simpler! I was very keen to move to this wonderful country again but couldn’t see any way I could afford it. The only visa that seemed to be an option was the student visa but the cost of studying at most schools in Madrid was completely prohibitive for me. Plus being aged 50 I was excluded from some other teaching programmes.
To be honest, I had nearly given up hope when I came across Canterbury English, so I checked out their website and was immediately impressed. The site was really comprehensive and informative and I felt very fortunate to have found it. My Skype interview with Richard Clarke, the founder, went very well; he is really helpful and positive and I was given a lot more useful information and was able to ask him any questions I had.
I have been in Madrid since January and I love it! My induction with Richard was extremely useful and I am able to meet other teachers on an impressive variety of weekly activities. I love my Spanish classes and Richard and his team are always there to support you. Canterbury English offer an incredible deal compared to other options that are available and Madrid is a vibrant and wonderful city and ideally located to travel to other areas of Spain and Europe. I am so grateful that I found Canterbury English and I hope to be in Madrid for many years to come!

Canterbury English in Spain is a fantastic resource for anyone looking for an adventurous learning and teaching experience. Coming from South Africa, Richard and his team was knowledgeable, friendly, and went above and beyond to ensure a successful and enriching experience from start to finish. The Program was engaging and varied, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels. What's more, the Canterbury Team offers diverse opportunities to team privately, at academy's and even schools, it basically depends on how you manage your time and how many hours you can avail yourself to earn enough to stay afloat in Madrid. The Spanish classes were intense even for A1, however, Ms. Irene was fabulous in supporting us as second-language learners.

So, whether you are seeking to improve your Spanish language skills or a teacher looking to gain valuable experience abroad, Canterbury English in Spain has something for everyone. The immersion in Spanish culture and language makes for a truly unique and unforgettable experience. I highly recommend Canterbury English in Spain to anyone looking to broaden their horizons and have a life-changing experience!