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ConversaSpain Program
A popular teaching program and true cultural exchange, ConversaSpain is a gateway to one of Europe’s biggest TEFL markets.
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If you’ve ever thought about teaching English abroad, chances are that Spain has crossed your mind. ConversaSpain is a language assistant program that lets TEFL teachers spend at least 8-9 months gaining teaching experience in Spanish public schools, in either Madrid or Murcia – while earning a stipend of around €850 – €1,000 per month.
If your application is accepted, you’ll have plenty of time to explore, build essential teaching skills, and experience the best of Spanish culture. What’s more, you can earn a TEFL certificate before or during the program.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the ConversaSpain program, from requirements, to stipends, timelines, and all the pros and cons.
What is ConversaSpain?
There’s a lot of international interest in teaching English in Spain, a country with a fascinating history and a booming tourism sector. And while teaching jobs in Spain can be competitive, ConversaSpain is an entry-level program that’s perfect for inexperienced teachers looking to get hands-on experience in the country.
Through ConversaSpain, you can work as a language assistant for regional education authorities, supporting English classes in one of two popular Spanish regions (Madrid or Murcia), in either a nursery, primary school, or high school.
The role is positioned as an internship rather than a full teaching job, so you won’t have to grade papers or manage classes all on your own. It’s more about building your teaching skills while improving students’ English with worksheets and activities, while you co-teach alongside the main teacher.
Placements last between October/November and May/June, depending on the location you choose. During that time, you’ll be supported by ConversaSpain’s staff, your peers, and the school you’ll be teaching at.
During the program, you can also take a 140-hour TEFL course (provided by The TEFL Org) and experience an 'immersion week', where you’ll meet other teachers and receive training to help you prepare.
How much does ConversaSpain cost?
Let’s take a detailed look at ConversaSpain fees:
Program fees by region
Participants can choose between the standard fee, a package with TEFL certification, one with the immersion week, or both combined.
| Region | Standard fee | Fee including TEFL certification | Fee including immersion week | Fee including TEFL certification and immersion week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | €1,780 | €2,165 | €2,585 | €2,970 |
| Murcia | €1,520 | €1,905 | €2,100 | €2,485 |
What’s included in the ConversaSpain fee
The cost of the ConversaSpain program covers:
- Guaranteed placement in Madrid or Murcia
- 15–16 teaching hours per week, four days a week
- A monthly stipend of up to €1,000
- Personal Advisor support throughout the experience
- Visa guidance with documents and requirements
- Help settling in, including an induction meeting, housing resources, mentor’s program, and support setting up a bank account.
What’s not included in the ConversaSpain fee
The fee doesn’t include:
- Visa fees and associated costs
- Flights/travel
- Accommodation/rent
Tip: The program recommends saving €2,500 to €3,000 to cover your initial costs when you first arrive in Spain.
How much do you get paid on the ConversaSpain program?
Your stipend is set by the regional education authorities and varies depending on where you’re placed – usually between €800 and €1,000 per month. Here’s what you’ll earn teaching abroad through ConversaSpain:
| Placement region | Stipend (per month) |
|---|---|
| Madrid | €1,000 |
| Murcia | €857 |
The stipend generally covers the cost of living for a single person in each province, though it doesn’t include rent and ultimately depends on your lifestyle. In Madrid, for example, average living expenses (excluding rent) are around €840 per month
For comparison, the minimum wage in Spain for 40 hours of weekly work is €1,184 per month. You’ll also receive paid school holidays, which include Christmas, local holidays, and Easter.
Tip: Open a Spanish bank account as soon as you arrive, (ConversaSpain will help you with this) so you’re paid on time and correctly. Your first stipend will come about a month after you start your collaboration at school.
Requirements for ConversaSpain
Here’s what you need to become an English language assistant with ConversaSpain:
Eligibility criteria for ConversaSpain
To help teach English through ConversaSpain, you need:
- Native-level English
- A university/college degree (a bachelor's degree, associate’s, a master's or
- above, or if you're a current student, you must be in at least your second year of
- university degree)
- A passport with two or more empty pages, valid until at least October/November of the following year, from Regional Education Authorities’ approved list of countries. Some nationalities require a C2 English certificate (CEFR), or an equivalent qualification like IELTS or TOEFL.
- To be under 59
- To have a clean a background check
Other desirable (but not essential) criteria for ConversaSpain include:
- Experience living abroad
- A degree in (or currently studying) an English language-related field, linguistics, or education
- Previous teaching experience
- Spanish language skills
Language requirements for ConversaSpain placements
Though Spanish fluency isn’t required to be a ConversaSpain language assistant, basic proficiency is helpful. Even if you teach English in Madrid, a multicultural and multilingual city, speaking Spanish is essential for daily life.
Tip: Looking to improve your Spanish skills? ConversaSpain partners with language schools to help you take Spanish courses. Once you’ve been accepted, you can let your Personal Advisor know that you’re interested!
Why TEFL certification helps
An accredited TEFL course provides classroom teaching skills and methodologies, teaches you how to design lesson plans, and much more. It’s an essential grounding for a career in English teaching.As part of the ConversaSpain program, you’ll have the opportunity to take a 140-hour TEFL course through The TEFL Org. However, getting your qualification in advance is also a good idea. It’ll strengthen your application and help you find salaried teaching jobs in Spain after your placement.Where can language assistants work through ConversaSpain?
ConversaSpain collaborates with the Regional Education Authorities in Madrid and Murcia to carry out the recruitment process. Once you’ve selected your preferred region, and depending on your age preference, the education authorities will assign you to a placement within that region in nurseries, primary, or secondary schools
You could be assisting English language classes in city centres, but it’s just as likely you’ll be placed in a small town or a suburb. It’s essential to be flexible and understand the process – while you can list preferences for age groups and locations, there aren’t any guarantees.
But no matter where you go during your placement, you’ll gain classroom experience, work with Spanish students, and build key teaching skills.
Download our teaching English in Europe guide
Daily life as a language assistant on the ConversaSpain program
On the ConversaSpain language assistant program, you’ll lead conversation practice in English classes, help experienced English teachers, and provide cultural exchange.
Cultural exchange means showing students media and realia (real-life items) from your home country, and in turn, learning about Spanish culture, speaking the language, and integrating into Spanish communities. You may also have to provide teaching support in other subjects, like mathematics, science, or sports.
Your role is highly active and important. It’s your job to make English more ‘real’ for your students and improve their conversational skills, regardless of age or proficiency.
The program expects you to teach 15-16 teaching hours spread over 4 days, which leaves plenty of time to travel and explore!
ConversaSpain: pros and cons
Here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of the ConversaSpain program:
ConversaSpain: pros
- Opportunities: The program offers a solid balance between teaching and living in Spain. You’ll also have the guarantee of choosing which region you’ll be placed in.
- Experience: Gain real classroom experience, improve your skills and Spanish, and meet people from all over the world.
- Incentives: Enjoy a good work-life balance with a monthly stipend of up to €1,000, plus full support from the ConversaSpain team throughout the entire process.
- TEFL certificate: You have the option to take a high-quality 140-hour TEFL certificate through ConversaSpain, provided by The TEFL Org.
ConversaSpain: cons
- Savings: You’re advised to save €2,500 - €3,000 before starting the program, which isn’t possible for every TEFL teacher.
- Degree: To participate, you must either be a second-year degree student or have at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Choice: Though you can state your preferences, you can’t choose where in your chosen region you will be placed.
- Not a teaching job: The program isn’t a job per se, but more of an internship; you’ll be working as a language assistant, not as a main teacher.
ConversaSpain: Key Takeaways
An opportunity to gain real teaching experience in two of Spain’s most exciting regions, ConversaSpain is a great way for ambitious TEFLers to learn classroom management and build their skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.Here are some of our key takeaways on the program:
- Requirements: You must be a second-year student or degree holder, with native-level English, a valid passport, and a clean criminal record.
- Where you’ll go: You can choose to be placed in either Madrid or Murcia
- Fees: Placement fees are between €1,520 and €2,970, depending on your choice of extras and the placement location.
- Salary: You can earn between €850 and €1,000 a month, depending on where you’re placed.
Ultimately, ConversaSpain is a great opportunity for true cultural exchange. It’s designed for people who want to explore a new country while giving something back in the form of their own language and traditions. And while it comes with a program fee, the value is there in terms of flexibility of choice, quality of experience, and the level of support offered by the ConversaSpain team.
More on teaching English in Spain
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to speak Spanish to apply?
No, you don’t need Spanish to apply, but it helps. If you join the immersion week, you’ll take Spanish lessons. You can also attend classes during your stay. ConversaSpain has partnered with language academies to make this easy for you
Q. Will the stipend cover living costs?
Will the stipend cover living costs?
The stipend you’ll receive from the regional education authorities generally covers the cost of living in each area, but it’s important to bring savings with you. The program recommends at least €2,500 to €3,000 to cover your initial costs when you first arrive in Spain, and the program fee does not include your rent.
Q. Can couples or friends apply together?
Yes, couples and friends can apply together, but dual placements are not guaranteed.
Q. What happens if I want to renew for a second year?
You can renew for a second year on the ConversaSpain program if you receive positive feedback from your school. They will give you all the necessary information and guide you through the process in due time, for just a fraction of the initial program fee.
Here are some of the most-asked questions about teaching English through ConversaSpain.