Teach English in Spain with CIEE | Guaranteed Placement in Madrid

Name: Teach English in Spain with CIEE | Guaranteed Placement in Madrid
Brand: CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL
SKU: 29255
Rating: 4.63 (198 reviews)

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4.63 Rating

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Location

Spain
- Madrid

Length

52+ weeks

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School

Payment plans

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Program Details

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree (in any field)
Native-level English fluency
U.S. Citizenship

Job Type

Government

Classroom Audience

Early Childhood Pre-School Elementary Middle School High School

Weekly Classroom Hours

Age Min.

Age Max

Pricing

Salary / Benefits

Monthly Stipend: 1000 Euros;
Temporary accommodations during orientation
Local health insurance coverage with $0 deductible
Ongoing support from CIEE staff in Madrid, including 24/7 availability for emergencies

Starting Price

2350

Price Details

Guaranteed placement as a Language and Culture Assistant in the region of Madrid
Pre-departure Preparation– including extensive visa guidance and resources for apartment hunting
Insurance with 24-hour emergency assistance
24/7 support from CIEE staff in Madrid
Airport pickup and transportation to your orientation hotel on arrival day
Four-day orientation in Madrid (with hotel) on topics including housing, banking, residency, health & safety, and more
Cultural activities during orientation with your new best friends

What's Included

Some Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Travel Insurance

What's Not Included

Accommodation Airfare Meals

What's Not Included (Extra)

Visa fee not included

Last Updated: Sep 11, 2024

Last Reviewed: Feb 19, 2025

Wish List

185 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

CIEE's Teach in Spain program offers guaranteed placement as a Language and Culture Assistant in the region of Madrid, and support through every step of your journey.

Before departure, CIEE will provide you with expert visa guidance, an online pre-departure course, regular communication, and help you find your community of like-minded teachers that will be heading to Madrid with you. After arrival, CIEE provides airport pick-up on arrival day, a comprehensive orientation, 4 nights of accommodation at orientation hotel, cultural activities, and 24/7 support from CIEE staff in Madrid so you'll be set up for success!

As a language assistant in Madrid, you'll spend 4 days a week in the classroom supporting local teachers and helping students practice conversational English. Your schedule will have a max of 16 in-classroom hours. With three-day weekends you'll have plenty of free time to travel or study Spanish.

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Video and Photos

CIEE Teach in Spain teachers at metro station in Madrid

CIEE Teach in Spain teachers at cafe in Madrid

CIEE Teach in Spain teachers at plaza in Madrid

CIEE Teach in Spain teacher a Retiro park in Madrid

CIEE Teacher in Spain teachers exploring Madrid

CIEE Teach in Spain teachers and friends on outing together

Bring joy and learning to classrooms of children in Madrid

CIEE Teach in Spain teachers at historical site in Madrid

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Program Highlights

Guaranteed placement as a Language and Culture Assistant in the region of Madrid
Airport pickup and 4 nights at orientation hotel in Madrid upon arrival
Network with other CIEE teachers before departure and at CIEE orientation in Madrid
Orientation in Madrid with cultural activities and workshops on housing, transportation, residency, and more
Optional: 2-4 weeks of Spanish language immersion course and homestay before starting teaching position

Program Reviews

4.63 Rating

based on 198 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Teach Gap Year TEFL

5 rating 72.22%
4 rating 22.73%
3 rating 3.03%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 2.02%

Benefits 4.2
Support 4.55
Fun 4.65
Facilities 4.25
Safety 4.75

Housing 5
Support 4
Fun 5
Value 5
Safety 5

Instruction 4.35
Support 5
Value 4
Academic Rigor 3
Job Assistance 3

Good for Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers, Building your resume

Showing 17 - 24 of 198 reviews

CIEE is the best program I have been involved with ! I wanted to move out of the country and I saw this was the #1 way people do it. I have never taught before but I knew I wanted to work with Children and live across the world somewhere. CIEE was very helpful especially the first week. I still reach out to my orientation leader with questions and I’ve been here for 3 months already! They provide support and step by step instructions for all your important documents making the move less stressful!

What was your funniest moment?

My funniest moment was the first day my roommate and I moved into our apartment. We couldn’t figure out how to unlock the door with all the deadbolts so we gave up and came back the next day to try again 🤣 in total it took us about 45 minutes to figure it out and it’s a joke between us now!

Pros

Learning some Spanish
Getting to travel to other countries
Working with children

Cons

Occasionally I get homesick
I’m a picky eater so it’s hard to find food I REALLY like
Building your community is scary when you don’t really know the language

I would highly recommend the CIEE teaching abroad program. The process has been simple and the staff is extremely helpful. Understanding each component of living abroad can be daunting but the program provided step-by-step guides for paperwork, applications, etc. In other ways, this program has connected me with people from all over the world and I continue to become more culturally aware with each passing day. I am grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been provided with and I look forward to what is to come. I am excited to continue this journey, deepen my understanding of the culture, and eat more amazing food!

What was your funniest moment?

When teaching a kindergarten class, the kids were learning colors and autumn words at the same time. After reviewing the autumn vocabulary (which included words like pumpkin, pinecone, leaf, etc.) we moved on to colors. With confidence a boy thought the color pink was called pinecone! It was a very funny moment and one I’ll remember forever. It shed light on the impact teaching has on young minds as well as making things feel just more light hearted in general. On tough or overwhelming days it’s nice to think/remember that they are just kids trying to learn.

Pros

Cultural awareness
Meeting new people
Impacting students lives

Cons

Language barrier is difficult sometimes
Public transportation can be late or early
Finding housing was really stressful

I had a great time with CIEE teach abroad. From the beginning they guided me through the VISA process, and everything leading up to moving abroad. The only thing I will say is from the information I was given by CIEE I was expecting housing to be less expensive. I can’t complain about my situation because I am very grateful for how it worked out but I think some of the data they use is a bit outdated. Overall the program was excellent for foster community during the transition and it felt like someone had my back if I found my self in a pickle.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

Pack less!! And bring more clothes for all seasons.

Pros

Community
Guidance

Cons

Some inaccurate information

CIEE sets up participants for success! They offer various programs and have experts within all areas to guide you with whatever you may need. I am teaching English in Spain and have had a wonderful experience with CIEE. Before coming I got TEFL certified which has allowed me to be more supportive within the classroom. I do believe going to location of your desire for the first time to teach English should be through CIEE, they help and tell you how to go through the government processes which other programs do not. They help you get settled in with as much information as possible. They offer extensive support through the time you are abroad which is also something other programs may not have.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Having difficulties with my school placement.

Pros

Got out of my comfort zone.
Advocated for myself.
Had tons of support from CIEE to navigate my options

Cons

Scary
Unfamiliar
Unsure how to navigate my experience

In speaking with other auxes and comparing experiences, I feel as if CIEE gave me more pre-departure support than auxes in other programs received. The move to Madrid was definitely difficult, but I knew that CIEE was there to help me in whatever way I needed. Without them, I would have struggled/had to work harder to secure my Visa, in-country paperwork, roommates, and housing. I am so grateful I decided to participate in the CIEE program instead of other programs because it has made my transition much, much easier. On top of that, I love the school I was placed in and could not be happier with my in-school experience.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Suckling pig in Segovia! The pork was delivered with the head still on the plate :)

Pros

Extensive pre-departure support
In-person, week-long orientation prior to starting work
Amazing school placement

Cons

More expensive than other programs

I’ve never lived abroad before, so coming with CIEE was the right step for me! There is a fee, but in my opinion, it’s worth the extra guidance and protection, especially as a first-time worker and resident in Spain. And I’ve made a ton of friends from the program through orientation which has been a foundational part of my experience here and, quite frankly, something my friends from other programs haven’t experienced to the extent I have. Whether you’re fresh out of college like me or looking to take a break from your career, I can’t recommend this program enough.

Pros

Visa help
Making friends
Orientation/Hotel stay

Cons

High fee

I was very nervous about going to Spain. There is a lot to do before you arrive but CIEE really does help you along the way. Every question I had was answered immediately. I received texts weekly reminding me of the task I should get done that week so I had everything ready for my VISA appointment at least a month before. I was expected to be more stressed out. I'm thankful there is a team of people there for us from the moment we decided to become an aux until the first day of school (and throughout the school year). I would suggest this program to anyone that wants a change in their life and doesn't want to do all the difficult parts of uplifting your life alone.

What was your funniest moment?

Once I moved to Madrid, I decided to impress my new neighbors with my “fluent” Spanish. I confidently knocked on a door, ready to ask for sugar. Instead of saying “¿Tienes azúcar?” I accidentally blurted out, “¿Tienes aguacate?” My neighbor looked at me, puzzled, and handed me an avocado.

Pros

Vibrant Culture
Delicious Food
Pleasant Climate

Cons

Bureaucracy
Public Transportation Strikes
Cultural Differences

Receiving guidance from the beginning and step by step instructions made for a much less stressful process and more confidence to pursue the program. The in person orientation was helpful for a hands on experience and getting to meet other people who are in or have been in your exact shoes. Don’t let housing scare you - just be persistent. My school, teachers, and students are amazing. Be confident and use Spanish as much as you can, even if it’s scary. Try new things and don’t forget to get out of the city center at times.

What would you improve about this program?

I think it would be helpful to have a system to donate and repurchase housing items from year to year at a lower rate as many items will be thrown away at the end one one experience - only to have to be bought again at the start of someone else’s. This would be beneficial for sustainability and the pockets of teachers.

Questions & Answers

Is it for native speakers only?

This program requires fluent English proficiency and citizenship from the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, or New Zealand.

By CIEE Teach Abroad and CIEE TEFL on January 6, 2022

Is it possible to live off 1000 euros a month? How much is average rent?

It’s definitely possible to live off 1000€/month! It’s actually way easier than I thought it would be. I live outside the city center and only pay 360€ a month including utilities and WiFi, but even if you’re in the city center, I think you can find a place for a reasonable price. Groceries and restaurants are way cheaper here than in the states, so cost of living in general is lower, I’d say...

By Derinn Wallace on March 24, 2020

See all 2 answers

What are the differences between TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA?

CELTA—administered by Cambridge Univ and respected worldwide. Must face students in classrooms and be evaluated by peers. The others? Can obtain online without ever meeting a student. Who would you hire?

By Brian Morris on March 18, 2020

See all 2 answers

Where are most opportunities available?

Hi, Clark! We have programs in many countries, take a look at our website to compare programs: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/work/teach-english-abroad/pr…. You can reach out to our country coordinators using the 'contact us' tab at the top. Please feel free to reach out to us at teach@ciee.org. Looking forward to working with you! Teach Team

By CIEE Teach Abroad and CIEE TEFL on February 5, 2020

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Rachel Dietz

Program

Teach English in Spain with CIEE | Guaranteed Placement in Madrid

Rachel is a Minnesota native who is passionate about multiculturalism and international education. As a CIEE Teach Abroad participant, Rachel was able to live in Madrid, Spain and loved teaching English to students of all kinds. During her time abroad she really enjoyed things like trying all different types of Spanish cuisine, traveling to various cities within Spain and all over Europe, and increasing her vocabulary in Spanish.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I chose the CIEE Teach Abroad program in Madrid because I really wanted guaranteed placement in that region of Spain as well as support with the moving process (like the visa assistance). Additionally, I was traveling alone so I wanted to be connected with other people who were going to teach abroad making the in-country orientation another important factor so I could meet new people right away.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

CIEE assisted me with the visa application process and helped guide me to get all my paperwork in order before leaving the US. After arrival in Spain, I attended orientation with CIEE Staff where they covered information like what to expect for the teaching position, how to get your residency and metro cards, insurance and safety information, as well as planned cultural activities. Throughout my 2 years teaching in Madrid I was also invited to various events with CIEE staff. I didn't have to organize much on my own- CIEE was great about keeping me informed each step of the way on the tasks I needed to complete to successfully teach abroad in Spain. The most work I did was to find housing once I arrived in Madrid, but CIEE did offer advice to help me navigate that process as well.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One thing I would tell people that are going to teach abroad in Madrid with CIEE is to do your research and plan your trip with adequate time. The earlier you apply to the CIEE program the better, as it allows for more time to save money, apply for your visa without stress, and to be able to source information about Madrid that will make your time in Spain easier. The research process should be thorough- what are the different neighborhoods and what do they offer? Where is your school placement and how would you get there on public transportation? What are the biggest national holidays and what are the local customs? What are cultural differences between US and Spanish schools? These are just some examples, but they are things that are important to know beforehand so that you can show up to your first day at work cool, calm, and collected.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

When I was teaching in Madrid I worked Monday-Thursday and I had 16 classes (all 1 hour each). I was usually at school from 9am-3pm and when I wasn't in class I was either prepping class materials in the staff lounge or in the cafeteria having a coffee and tostada with the other language assistants and the teachers that I had befriended at the school. After school I usually gave private tutoring lessons to make some extra cash and then weekends were for going out with friends, traveling throughout Spain and Europe, and time to relax.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear when going abroad was about being able to make friends. Having been abroad before, I knew that having a good support system of friends is important to avoid being homesick and to really make the most of your time living overseas. To overcome this fear, I decided to go through a program like CIEE because I knew that they would connect me with others who were going to teach in Spain. And from there I tried to take advantage of every opportunity I had to meet new people: I went to a meet-up in my hometown in the US with people from CIEE who I met on the CIEE Facebook group, I made plans to go out for drinks with people at orientation in Madrid, made sure to friend/follow people on social media to stay up to date, made an effort to get to know the other language assistants and teachers at my school placement, and attended all the events that I was invited to throughout the year by CIEE and other organizations.

What is the most important skill to work on if you want to be successful when teaching English abroad?

The most important skill is to be proactive. The process of moving abroad requires you to pay very close attention to various tasks and not doing so can delay or even terminate your plans to move abroad to teach English. Once you arrive, it's really important to be proactive about integrating into the culture and into your job, because you are a visitor, not the protagonist. This means you need to be the one to initiate learning the language, the cultural norms, the social interactions to help build trust, etc.- all of these things can help you to give a good first impressions and set the tone for a positive experience.

Jay Tipton

2019 Alum

Tracy Kuhle

2019 Alum

Valerie Sokolova

2018 Alum

Sebastian Wood

2018 Alum

David Mack

2016 Alum

Sarah Anderegg

2016 Alum

Mark Reese

Staff Interviews

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

Lauren Massey

Program

Teach English in Spain with CIEE | Guaranteed Placement in Madrid

Job Title

Senior Coordinator, Teach Abroad in Spain

Lauren grew up in the Pacific Northwest and became interested in travelling while studying abroad in college. She taught English in South Korea for two years and later spent a year and a half in Thailand and Nepal during a career break. While not hiking, skiing, or camping near her home base now in Maine, she loves helping others navigate the process of moving abroad.

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories was heading to Japan for a long weekend when I was teaching in South Korea. We flew to Tokyo and spent the weekend planning our sunrise summit of Mt. Fuji at sunrise. It took multiple trains, buses, and taxis to get there, but it was a really unique experience to be able to summit this mountain in Japan with friends who were from Canada, Italy, and South Africa.

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

I think I've learned a lot about the process of moving abroad. Although I've done it twice since college, everyone has their own individual experience. Some people go right after college while others go during a career break. Some people have traveled extensively beforehand while others have just gotten their first passport. Everyone is from a different area of the world with different experiences leading up to this moment. No one has the exact same route or plan even if they're all going to teach in Spain. It's really fun to hear about everyone's individual passions and reason about why they want to go on this adventure and I've been learning so many unique stories along the way.

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

That they're going to continue on and go to another CIEE Teach program in another country. Teaching abroad is addicting, so this actually happens quite often! I also know of a lot of stories and people who have met their partner abroad and are getting married. You never know what life will bring if you move across the world. It opens up endless possibilities.

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

I would want to teach in China. I never had the chance to go there while living in Asia and think it would be fascinating to live there for a year or two. I really want to eat all the food, be there during Chinese New Year, hike parts of the Great Wall, learn a bit of the language, and see what it's like to really live there.

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

I love the support that CIEE offers to those looking to teach abroad. We connect with our teachers up to a year or even more before they depart. This gives us the ability to connect with people and offer individual guidance. Our team is really passionate about making this process smooth and we've all been through it, so we know what it's like. I'm always proud of my team! We get along and work well together while helping each other when needed.

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

We all communicate really well and are all able to adapt and be flexible when things get busy. We don't only communicate well internally, but do our best to reach out to all our teachers very regularly and track down that they are going to successfully get abroad on time with the correct documents and preparation beforehand. We don't passively wait for challenges to come to us, but we anticipate new changes and plan out how to resolve them early on.

Miranda Rodway

Senior Coordinator, Teach in Spain Programs

Laura Canadillas

Teach in Spain Senior Program Coordinator

Location

Location:

Madrid

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 34 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 43 F

Jul-Sep

90 F / 57 F

Oct-Dec

68 F / 37 F

Airports:

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas

( MAD )

A world-class European capital city steeped in art, architecture, and history, Madrid is an affordable destination for students and tourists alike. Enjoy parks, museums, and bustling nightlife in this iconic Spanish city.

About CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL

CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL will support you through every step of your English teaching adventure, empowering you to explore new cultures, meet amazing people, and make a lasting impact on the lives of your students! CIEE TEFL's online courses will teach you everything you need to know to be a successful English teacher, from how to plan and deliver...