I think a lot of people don’t realise the Canary Islands are actually quite different from mainland Spain in certain ways. The accent is softer, some vocabulary is different, and culturally it feels completely different too.

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.

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.

Finding a place to live in Spain sounds simple until you actually start looking. When I first moved to Tenerife I thought I’d just go online, pick somewhere nice and that would be it… not quite. Things move fast, people don’t always reply, and it can feel a bit chaotic at the beginning.

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.

One of my favourite parts of the job is something I never expected. Every time I walk into school or even just down the corridor, I have kids shouting “Teacher Millie!” and waving at me like I’m some kind of celebrity.

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.

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.

Living day to day in Spain without Spanish is much more manageable than people imagine.

One of the most important qualities, you could even call it a mindset, is flexibility. When in the classroom you never know what is going to come at you next.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of going that extra inch to say hello to staff, have a friendly disposition and put in effort to have conversations outside of the classroom with co-teachers and other admin in the building.

Ice breaker activities are a great way for language assistants to introduce themselves, learn names, and encourage students to start speaking English right away in a fun and relaxed way.

METRO: One of the easiest ways to get around the city is by metro/underground. Madrid has a fantastic train system. It's well cared for and it runs reliably.

Are you a passionate language enthusiast looking to immerse yourself in the rich culture and vibrant language of Spain? Look no further than a unique language assistant program known for its commitment to providing a valuable and fulfilling experience for its participants - Inlaes. Inlaes offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for individuals seeking to expand their language skills and cultural horizons. What sets Inlaes apart from other programs is its dedication to supporting i