Teaching English in academies without a Spanish teaching title

Key rules

• Legal requirement: No Spanish law requires a teaching title or TEFL to teach in a private language academy.
• Market expectation: Most academies still look for a degree and a TEFL certificate.
• Regulated schools: Official schools and state posts are different and do require official titles.
• Non-EU nationals: You need a work and residence permit, and visa rules often require a degree.

You do not need a Spanish teaching title

Language academies are not regulated teaching posts. The law does not demand a Spanish teaching title or a TEFL certificate to teach English in a private academy. The market usually expects a degree and a TEFL certificate, so plan to have both.

The academy sets its own hiring rules because it is a private business. Only official schools, Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas and state teaching posts require official titles. This page does not cover those.

What academies usually ask for

• A university degree. Often any subject is fine.
• English level. Native speaker, or C1–C2 if English is not your first language.
• A TEFL certificate. About 120 hours is the usual standard.
• Experience. It is a plus, not a requirement, but it gives you an edge.

Better-paying academies, and those that prepare students for Cambridge exams, prefer a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL and some experience. Expectations vary by academy and city.

Without a degree

Some academies accept candidates with a TEFL but no degree. This is a real option if you are an EU national. If you are not, the visa rules often require a degree anyway, so it is much harder.

Work and residence permit

If you are not an EU national, you need a Spanish work and residence permit before you can work legally. Most academies expect you to have it already.

Check your region

Some regions have rules on registering academies. Ask your regional education department whether the academy you are considering needs to be registered. Also use the checklist below to prepare your documents.

Checklist

• Check that the academy teaches non-regulated language courses, since only official schools and state posts need a Spanish teaching title.

• Get a university degree certificate ready, since most academies ask for one, often in any subject.

• Get a TEFL certificate of about 120 hours, or a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL if you aim for better-paying academies or Cambridge exam classes.

• Prove your English level as a native speaker or at C1–C2.

• Write down any teaching experience to add to your CV, as it gives you an edge.

Frequently asked questions

Can I teach English at an academy without a university degree?

Yes, some academies hire teachers without a degree if they hold a TEFL certificate, but this is not common. If you are not from the EU, the visa rules often require a degree anyway, so check that before you apply.

Which TEFL qualification do better-paying academies prefer?

Better-paying academies, and those preparing students for Cambridge exams, prefer CELTA and some teaching experience. A TEFL of about 120 hours is usually enough for other academies. Trinity CertTESOL is also accepted.

Do I need a work permit to teach English in an academy?

Yes, if you are not an EU national, you need a Spanish work and residence permit to teach at an academy. Academies normally expect you to hold it before they hire you.