ConversaSpain: Teach English in Spanish Public Schools

If you've been dreaming of living in Spain and doing something meaningful while you're there, ConversaSpain might be your perfect starting point. It’s more than just a job—it’s an immersive experience that lets you step into the heart of Spanish public schools, help students improve their English, and build a new chapter of your own life abroad.

As a language assistant (Auxiliar de Conversación), you’ll work side-by-side with local teachers, support students in real conversations, and discover what life in Spain is really like—from slow lunches and local fiestas to the rhythms of classroom life. Whether you're fresh out of university or changing course entirely, ConversaSpain offers a smooth, supported path into international teaching and cross-cultural adventure.

What Is ConversaSpain?

ConversaSpain is a private organization that places native-level English speakers in public schools across Spain to work as Auxiliares de Conversación. It collaborates with several regional education authorities—including the Comunidad de Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, and Castilla y León—to facilitate these placements each academic year.

But what sets ConversaSpain apart isn’t just the placements—it’s the support system. From the moment you're accepted, you're paired with a bilingual personal advisor to help with everything from visa paperwork to finding housing. You’ll also have access to an online platform, orientation sessions, and a welcoming community of fellow participants.

While the program technically operates under Spain’s national Auxiliar de Conversación initiative, ConversaSpain provides a much more structured and guided experience. It’s ideal for first-time teachers or travelers who want the comfort of knowing someone has their back throughout the process. Plus, you’ll benefit from a built-in network and cultural events that make it easier to integrate and thrive.

What You'll Do as an Auxiliar de Conversación

As a ConversaSpain language assistant, your role isn’t to take over the classroom but to bring it to life with natural English conversation, real-world context, and cultural exchange. You’ll work alongside local teachers, helping students improve their fluency and confidence—especially when it comes to speaking and pronunciation.

Expect to guide fun and interactive activities, assist with lesson planning, support oral exams, and occasionally bring your own culture into the classroom through games, storytelling, or presentations. You might even help out in other subjects taught in English, like Science or PE, depending on the school’s bilingual program.

You’ll teach 14 to 16 hours per week, spread over four weekdays—usually Monday to Thursday—leaving Fridays free to travel, relax, or explore your region. It’s a part-time schedule designed to give you balance: enough time to make a difference in the classroom without sacrificing the freedom that makes living abroad exciting.

Where You'll Be Placed

ConversaSpain places teachers across four Spanish regions: Madrid, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Castilla y León. Each offers its own version of Spanish life, from the capital city’s energy to the quiet charm of smaller towns nestled in the countryside.

While you can indicate a preference for the region or age group you'd like to teach, final placements depend on availability and your profile. You could be working with young primary students just starting their English journey or older teens preparing for university entrance exams.

Many participants are placed in small towns or suburban areas, which gives you a deeper immersion into local culture, away from the tourist-heavy spots. Whether you're walking to school through quiet village streets or joining local festivals your students tell you about, you’ll get an authentic, on-the-ground experience of Spanish life.

What Support Does ConversaSpain Provide?

Moving to another country to teach can feel overwhelming—but ConversaSpain provides structured support to make the transition smoother. From the moment you're accepted, you'll be paired with a personal bilingual advisor who helps you navigate everything from visa documents to finding accommodation and understanding Spanish bureaucracy.

You’ll also get access to a dedicated online platform with step-by-step timelines, webinars, and tutorials for processing your background check, medical certificates, and legalizations. The goal? Minimize stress, cut through the confusion, and help you stay on track.

Once you arrive in Spain, an in-person induction meeting helps you connect with fellow teachers and get classroom-ready. Between active social media groups, newsletters, and local meetups, ConversaSpain fosters a strong community—so you’ll feel supported, not alone, as you settle into Spanish life.

Key Benefits of the Program

ConversaSpain offers more than just a placement—it provides a framework that helps you thrive in Spain both personally and professionally. You’ll earn a monthly stipend between €1,000 and €1,065, depending on your assigned region, which covers most living costs in smaller towns and more affordable areas.

You’ll receive an official Certificate of Completion at the end of the program—great for your resume or future TEFL opportunities. Health coverage is also included: EU participants use the EHIC, while non-EU participants are provided private health insurance through the program.

Inside the classroom, you'll have access to curated ESL teaching materials, tips, and creative lesson ideas to help you get started—even if you're new to teaching. For those looking to dive deeper into the culture, volunteering opportunities, immersion week activities, and discounted Spanish classes are available as optional extras.

Eligibility and Requirements

ConversaSpain is open to a wide range of applicants, but there are a few key requirements you’ll need to meet. First, you must be a native-level English speaker from approved countries (like the U.S., UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.), or hold a C2-level English certificate if you're from certain other countries in Europe, Asia, or Latin America.

You’ll also need to:

• Hold a university degree (any subject) or be in at least your second year of an undergraduate program.
• Be younger than 60 on January 1 of the program year.
• Have a clean criminal background check.
• Hold a valid passport with sufficient validity and empty pages for the visa.
• While Spanish is not required, learning some basics can go a long way when dealing with housing, shopping, or navigating local transport.

Whether you're just out of college or making a midlife career change, if you meet these requirements, you're eligible to apply.

Daily Life and the School Environment

Life as an auxiliar de conversación with ConversaSpain blends structure with plenty of personal freedom. Most schools offer a relaxed and welcoming environment, where your role is to bring energy and natural English input into the classroom—not to stress about exams or discipline.

You'll typically teach two to four classes per day, with long breaks or gaps between periods. Depending on your school, you might lead games with younger kids, help high school students prep for oral exams, or bring your own cultural twist to lessons about music, food, or holidays.

The local English teacher will usually guide the lesson plan, but you’re encouraged to create your own interactive, conversation-based activities. Think: storytelling, debates, songs, and classroom games. And since you're not responsible for grading or student discipline, the focus is on making English fun and accessible.

The Application Process

Getting started with ConversaSpain is fairly straightforward—and designed for first-time travelers. You’ll begin by filling out a short online application, where you’ll provide personal info, educational background, and any teaching or travel experience you may have.

If your application is shortlisted, you’ll be invited to a virtual interview, which is more of a personality and motivation check than a formal job interview. They’re looking for people who are adaptable, communicative, and genuinely interested in cultural exchange.

If accepted, you’ll receive an official offer with instructions on what comes next—school timelines, visa steps, and a service agreement to sign. ConversaSpain does charge a program fee, which covers their administrative help, placement, induction, and ongoing support. Once you pay the fee and submit the required documents, your placement is secured.

Costs to Consider

While ConversaSpain makes teaching in Spain accessible, it’s important to plan for the upfront costs involved. These include:

• A program fee paid directly to ConversaSpain (this varies depending on intake and region).
• Visa-related costs such as background checks, apostilles/legalization, medical certificates, and application fees.
• Your flight to Spain, plus transport from the airport to your destination.
• Enough money to cover your first month of rent, groceries, and basic living expenses, as stipends are paid monthly.
• Private health insurance (required for non-EU citizens), though ConversaSpain typically partners with affordable providers.

There are also optional extras—like a Spanish immersion week, language classes, or online TEFL courses—but none of these are mandatory to join the program.

Who Is ConversaSpain Best For?

ConversaSpain isn’t a hardcore teaching contract—it’s a supportive stepping stone into life abroad. It’s especially well-suited for:

• First-time travelers or teachers who want a structured way to live overseas without diving in alone.
• Recent university graduates looking to build international experience and grow professionally in a new cultural setting.
• People who want to learn or improve their Spanish while living in a local community.
• Anyone seeking cultural immersion with a manageable teaching schedule and no lesson planning overload.
• Those who appreciate guidance and personal support over figuring everything out solo.

If you’re not ready to jump into a full-time TEFL role in a private academy, ConversaSpain gives you the chance to explore teaching, travel, and language in a more relaxed, supported way.

Final Thoughts

Teaching English in Spain with ConversaSpain is about more than just showing up to a classroom—it’s about finding your feet in a new country with people walking beside you every step of the way. Whether you’re chasing cultural immersion, language learning, or simply a fresh perspective on life, this program opens the door.

With a curated support system, practical training, and connections that last far beyond the school year, ConversaSpain gives you the chance to teach, explore, and grow—without going it alone.

Explore Next:

• NALCAP Program Spain
• Meddeas Language Assistant Program
• Teach English in Spain
• Best Online TEFL Courses

Visit the official ConversaSpain website for more.