People always ask me what a normal day looks like as a language assistant in Spain, so I finally wrote it down. Between the metro rides, the three-hour lunches (yes, really), and squeezing in penny board practice at the skatepark, no two days feel quite the same, even when the schedule stays the same. Here’s what a typical weekday looks like for me. I wake up early to catch the metro into the city centre. The school I work at is in Torrent, a small town on the outskirts of th

When I first moved to Spain, I quickly realised that half of surviving in a new country is just having the right apps on your phone. Honestly, I don’t know how people moved abroad before smartphones because I rely on mine for everything here. Finding buses, translating random signs, looking for flats, sending money, checking routes, messaging people… it all happens through apps. One of the first apps I used constantly was Idealista. If you’re looking for somewhere to live in

When people talk about moving abroad, they always talk about the obvious things. The weather, the language, the food, the travelling, the new experiences. But I don't think anyone really prepares you for the people.

A veces parece que para hacer una clase más divertida hay que preparar una actividad completamente nueva, buscar materiales durante horas o convertir el aula en un espectáculo. Pero no tiene por qué ser así. Muchas veces, pequeños cambios en la forma de plantear una actividad pueden conseguir que los alumnos participen mucho más sin añadir trabajo innecesario al profesor. La clave está en conseguir que los alumnos usen el inglés, no solo que hablen sobre él. Menos ejercicios,

Depending on your school, you may be involved in preparing students for Cambridge exams. Usually, as a language assistant, you'll spend a lot of time helping students with the speaking part of the exams, since that's where having a native speaker is especially useful. However, some schools may also ask you to help with reading, listening and writing activities too. Every school is slightly different.

I think before moving, I had this idea that I'd need an enormous amount of savings to make it work. The reality was that Tenerife ended up being much cheaper than I expected. Of course, everyone spends differently, but day-to-day life here isn't nearly as expensive as many people imagine.

Making friends in Spain takes a bit of effort at the start, but it does happen. If you’ve just moved here, don’t overthink it too much. Put yourself in situations where people are, talk to a few strangers, and give it a bit of time. That’s really it.

I’ve also realised that learning a language isn’t just about studying it, it’s about living it. Being surrounded by it every day, hearing it, using it, and being part of it makes such a difference.

Unlike a traditional teaching job, the assistant position comes with a long summer break and, for many of us, no salary during those months. While this can seem daunting at first, I've discovered that there are several ways to make the most of this time, both financially and personally.

When people imagine moving to Spain as a language assistant, they usually picture the exciting parts first. Booking flights, finding an apartment, meeting new people, travelling on weekends, sitting in sunny plazas with a coffee, and starting a completely new life abroad. And honestly, those moments do happen. There are days where everything feels exciting and cinematic, and you suddenly realise you’re living the kind of experience people dream about for years. But something

Malasaña is a place that resembles a rich cultural history of Madrid and is now an epicenter of cafe culture, thrift shopping and nightlife in the city.

Contar con un auxiliar de conversación también aporta un componente cultural muy enriquecedor. Los alumnos descubren nuevas costumbres, perspectivas y formas de ver el mundo sin salir de su propio centro educativo.

Before moving to Spain I honestly had no idea how different the school system was here compared to the UK. I remember hearing words like “ESO” and “Bachillerato” constantly and having absolutely no clue what anyone was talking about.

Once you accept your placement, we’ll guide you through what comes next and outline the exact steps you need to follow. We’ll also request a few initial documents from you to make sure everything is in place for you to begin your visa process smoothly.

In the UK, I was so used to having lunch around 12 and then a big dinner at about 6pm. Here, everything runs much later. I actually start my lunch break at 1pm, and I’ll watch all the kids in the comedor sit down to what feels like a full three course meal in the middle of the day.

At Lago, it’s the perfect place to stay a bit longer, have another coffee, read something, or just chat with friends. It’s one of those simple routines that ends up being one of your favourite parts of the week.

Back home, you might be used to a more structured schedule, but here everything feels slightly shifted. Your timetable changes depending on the day, there are gaps between classes, and even things like lunch and daily rhythms happen later. It can throw you off at the beginning, but after a while, you start to realise it actually gives you a lot more freedom.

It’s officially the second biggest Carnaval in the world after Rio de Janeiro. It was completely wild in the best possible way.

The visa process might look intimidating at first, but once you understand the steps, it becomes much easier.

Discover what it’s really like to work as a language assistant in Spain. Learn about the part-time schedule, classroom role, and the opportunity to explore Spanish culture and festivals.