BEDA Program Spain: Teach English in Catholic Schools

If you’re looking for a teaching program in Spain with structure, purpose, and meaningful cultural exchange, the BEDA Program might be your perfect match. Unlike public school assistantships like NALCAP or ConversaSpain, BEDA places you in Catholic private and semi-private schools—known as colegios concertados—where English education is blended with values-driven learning.

From smaller class sizes to supportive faculty environments and built-in training, BEDA offers more than just a job abroad. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in Spanish life while being part of a close-knit, education-focused community that values language learning and cultural understanding.

What Is the BEDA Program?

The BEDA (Bilingual English Development & Assessment) Program is a long-standing initiative run by Escuelas Católicas de Madrid, a network of Catholic schools throughout Spain. It partners with private and concertado (semi-funded) institutions to bring native-level English speakers into their classrooms as Language Assistants.

As an assistant, your job isn’t to teach solo. Instead, you’ll support the school’s English teachers by helping students improve their speaking, pronunciation, and listening skills, often through games, discussions, and real-world conversation. What sets BEDA apart is the community-oriented, faith-informed school culture—an environment that fosters respect, warmth, and shared values.

These placements offer a more intimate school experience, often with greater consistency and guidance than public school alternatives. Whether you're in Madrid, Andalucía, or Castilla y León, BEDA gives you a unique opportunity to grow as a teacher while contributing meaningfully to Spain’s evolving bilingual education system.

What You’ll Do as a BEDA Language Assistant

As a BEDA Language Assistant, your role centers on bringing English to life in the classroom. You’ll work alongside the school’s English teachers—never alone—helping to create an engaging, interactive learning environment for students of all ages.

Expect to lead small group conversations, guide pronunciation practice, design fun speaking activities, and even role-play everyday situations to help learners feel more confident in real-life English use. You might assist in exam preparation for Cambridge English tests or participate in bilingual content classes like science or social studies.

Weekly schedules typically range from 18 to 24 hours depending on your placement. Some assistants also help with extracurricular activities, school events, or participate in school masses and holiday celebrations—giving you a deeper window into Spain’s Catholic traditions and community life. While the work is structured, it’s also personal and rewarding—perfect for anyone who values both language teaching and cultural connection.

Who Can Apply?

BEDA looks for enthusiastic, adaptable individuals who are ready to embrace both language education and faith-based community life. To apply, you’ll need to:

• Be a native-level English speaker
• Hold (or be near completion of) a bachelor’s degree in any field
• Have a clean background check and valid passport
• Provide references (often academic or professional)

While prior teaching experience isn’t required, it’s a plus. BEDA also values candidates who show a genuine interest in education, Catholic values, or community service. If you’ve worked in youth programs, churches, or nonprofit settings, those experiences may strengthen your application.

You don’t need to be Catholic to join the program, but you should be open to working in a school environment where faith is integrated into daily life—from classroom activities to special celebrations.

Training & Support

BEDA places a strong emphasis on preparation and mentorship, ensuring that assistants are confident and supported from day one. Before you arrive in Spain, you’ll receive a pre-departure orientation—either online or in-person—covering Spanish culture, classroom expectations, and the unique dynamic of Catholic school environments.

Once in Spain, there’s a formal induction led by BEDA and school coordinators. You’ll meet fellow assistants, learn about your host school, and get a clear sense of your role and responsibilities. Throughout the year, ongoing support is provided both by your school and BEDA’s regional coordinators, who check in regularly and offer help when needed.

In some cases, you may also gain access to online teaching resources or TEFL modules—especially helpful for those without a formal teaching background. This structured support makes BEDA especially attractive for first-time teachers who want a strong foundation without feeling overwhelmed.

Benefits of BEDA Placements

Teaching with BEDA gives you access to a tight-knit school community and the warmth of Catholic education—often in cities or towns where you can build deeper local connections. While some placements are in larger urban centers like Madrid, many are in small to mid-size cities where the cost of living is lower and life moves at a gentler pace.

The monthly stipend ranges from approximately €875 to €1,000, depending on your assigned hours. While this is comparable to programs like NALCAP or Meddeas, BEDA’s strong community and pastoral focus often translate into more supportive living and teaching environments.

You’ll follow the Spanish school calendar, with breaks for Christmas, Easter, and summer—plus extra holidays aligned with the Catholic liturgical calendar. Some assistants even participate in pastoral projects, faith-based events, or community outreach alongside their school teams.

In certain placements, housing may be arranged in dormitories or shared accommodations, especially if you’re in a smaller town or part of a clustered school network. This can ease your transition and deepen your experience of everyday Spanish and Catholic life.

Daily Life & School Rhythm

Life as a BEDA assistant follows the steady rhythm of the Spanish school calendar, with a few unique touches that come from working in Catholic concertado schools. Most placements involve a Monday–Friday schedule, with 20–24 hours per week in the classroom and additional hours for preparation or school events.

Your day might begin with morning prayers or a short chapel session, followed by language classes where you assist with conversation activities, group work, games, or exam prep. Lessons are typically more interactive and personalized than in large public schools, and class sizes are smaller, fostering stronger teacher-student relationships.

Beyond teaching, you might support extracurriculars, help during Catholic holidays or community celebrations, and get invited to lunches, festivals, or pastoral events. Compared to public schools, Catholic schools often have a stronger sense of tradition and structure, with an emphasis on values-based education and spiritual development.

Locations You Might Be Placed

BEDA placements span a wide variety of cities and regions, with a strong presence in and around Madrid, as well as in Castilla y León, Andalucía, Extremadura, and other autonomous communities. While Madrid placements are more competitive, smaller cities and towns often provide a more immersive experience with a lower cost of living.

Schools are typically part of the Catholic concertado network—semi-private institutions that receive partial government funding. These schools vary widely: some are co-educational, others are single-sex, and many are affiliated with religious orders, diocesan bodies, or Catholic educational foundations.

Whether you're placed in a vibrant urban center or a quiet countryside town, you’ll find a welcoming environment grounded in community, routine, and faith. The experience offers not just a teaching role, but a genuine integration into the life of the school and its values.

Application Process & Timeline

Applying to the BEDA Program is a relatively straightforward process, but it helps to start early—especially since placements begin in the fall (September/October) and spaces can be limited.

Here’s what to expect:

1. Online Application – Fill out a form via the ECMadrid site with personal details, educational background, and motivation.
2. Supporting Documents – Submit your CV/resume, university transcripts or diploma, and letters of recommendation.
3. Interview or Screening – Some applicants are invited to a virtual interview or asked to complete a short teaching-related task.
4. Background Check – You’ll need to provide a clean criminal record check from your home country.
5. Placement Offer – If accepted, you’ll receive your school assignment, typically by early summer.
6. Visa Guidance – Once placed, BEDA or the partner school helps provide visa documentation for your consulate appointment.

Deadlines usually fall between February and May, though some late applications may be considered if schools still have openings.

While some years have required a program deposit or administrative fee, BEDA tends to be one of the more affordable or free options, depending on how it’s structured for the intake.

Costs, Visas & Logistics

Unlike recruiter-backed programs, BEDA is coordinated directly through schools and ECMadrid, so costs are low or non-existent beyond the usual travel and visa expenses. That said, you’ll still need to budget upfront for key logistics:

• Visa: Most participants apply for a student visa (visado de estudios), which BEDA helps facilitate through placement documentation. This allows for part-time teaching and legal residence in Spain.
• Program Costs: Occasionally, there’s a modest admin fee (under €200), but it’s often waived or reimbursed by the host school.
• Accommodation: Options vary. Some assistants live with host families, others in school-managed dorms or apartments, or you can rent privately with fellow assistants.
• Health Insurance: Required for your visa. EU citizens can often use their EHIC card; others must arrange private coverage, either on their own or via a recommended provider.
• Municipal Registration (Empadronamiento): Like all long-term residents in Spain, you’ll need to register your address with the local town hall after arrival—usually required for visa renewal, healthcare, and banking.

BEDA offers enough structure to feel supported but enough flexibility to make your Spanish experience truly your own.

Is BEDA the Right Fit for You?

The BEDA Program is a unique choice that blends structured teaching placements with the supportive culture of Catholic schools. It's ideal if you:

• Feel comfortable in a faith-based environment and appreciate the values of Catholic education
• Want to teach in smaller class settings, where pastoral care and personal relationships are central
• Prefer a moderate level of support—not as hand-held as private recruiters, but with school guidance and a clear framework
• Are interested in educational service, not just travel or a gap year
• Want to integrate into local Spanish life beyond the typical tourist path

While it may not offer the same brand recognition as NALCAP or the flexibility of freelancing, BEDA stands out for those seeking a more purpose-driven teaching experience grounded in community and connection.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for more than just a job abroad—if you're seeking meaningful impact, cultural immersion, and a chance to be part of something bigger—the BEDA Program might be the perfect match.

It’s not for everyone, but for the right kind of teacher—faith-aligned, community-minded, and eager to grow—it can be a deeply rewarding path into the Spanish classroom.

Explore Next:

• NALCAP Program Spain
• ConversaSpain Public School Assistantships
• Meddeas Language Assistant Program
• Teach English in Spain