Lately, I’ve seen more and more people on forums discussing coming to Spain for work, with many mentioning they want to try their luck at international schools. I’ve done some research in this area and have interviewed with a few schools, so I decided to write this post to share my experience. I hope it can help those in need.
Are International Schools Really Hiring?
My overall impression is: there are always opportunities, but the competition is also quite fierce. International schools in Spain, especially in big cities and coastal areas like Madrid, Barcelona, and Málaga, have a steady stream of students due to the large expat communities. Every year, teachers leave for family reasons, at the end of their contracts, or for other jobs, so there’s a constant demand for new hires.
However! Don’t assume that ‘in demand’ means ‘easy to get.’ Top international schools, like the well-known British and American ones, have very high standards for their teachers. They prefer to hire native English-speaking teachers with extensive experience in IB or A-Level curricula. If you just speak English but lack the relevant teaching qualifications and background, landing a core subject teacher position is extremely difficult. The barrier to entry for teaching assistants is lower, but the salary is correspondingly less ideal.
The Best Time and Channels for Job Hunting
Hiring at international schools is highly seasonal. Generally, the main hiring season is from January to April, to finalize all staff before the new school year starts in the fall. Of course, temporary jobs in international schools in Spain might open up during the school year, but these opportunities are much rarer. I missed this golden window, which significantly limited my options.
| Hiring Channel | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| School’s Official Website | Most direct and reliable information | Requires checking each site individually, time-consuming |
| TES Website | Largest and most comprehensive job listings, industry standard | Competitors are from all over the world; your application can easily get lost |
| Infojobs/LinkedIn | Many local positions, including teaching assistant roles | Fewer high-quality teacher positions |
Hard Requirements and Soft Skills
In terms of hard requirements, an EU passport is a huge advantage, as it saves the school the trouble of sponsoring a work visa. For qualifications, a relevant degree in education and a teaching certificate are basic requirements. For us applicants without an EU passport, if a school is willing to sponsor your visa, it means you have a very strong background or a rare skill, such as teaching a less common language or having a special education background.
In terms of soft skills, they highly value communication, cross-cultural understanding, and teamwork. During interviews, they often ask situational questions to see how you would handle student conflicts or communicate with parents. In short, they are looking for a mature educator who can quickly integrate into a multicultural environment, not just a teaching machine. I interviewed with a school on the outskirts of Barcelona, and the entire second interview was spent discussing my educational philosophy, with almost no questions about specific subject knowledge. Therefore, it’s very important to have your ‘stories’ prepared.
