4-Week CELTA Course in San Sebastián - Donostia, Spain

The CELTA course is accredited by Cambridge English, part of the University of Cambridge. London School is an authorised Cambridge English Teaching Qualification Centre and the only approved CELTA provider in the Basque Country.

The full course fee is €1,575. This includes tuition and a welcome pintxo lunch. To secure your place, you’ll pay a deposit of €350, with the remaining balance (€1,225) due before the course starts.

Please note:
These prices may be lower if you see an offer listed on our site or have a discount code.

Included in the price of the course are:

– 4-week full-time CELTA course
– 6 hours of assessed teaching practice
– Observations of experienced teachers
– Pre-course guidance and preparation materials
– Expert tuition from certified CELTA trainers
– Lifetime job support
– Accommodation assistance
– Welcome pintxo lunch
– Deposit refund guarantee
– Add-on Grammar Course
– Lesson plan subscription

This is an intensive, university-level course that requires dedication and hard work! It’s not a ‘shortcut’ TEFL course. However, with your commitment, you’ll emerge from it well-prepared and highly motivated to start your teaching journey.

Yes, you’ll teach actual local ESL students for 6 hours. These students will be in small groups.

The CELTA course focuses primarily on teaching adult learners, as it’s designed to prepare you for adult ESL classrooms. However, London School places a stronger emphasis on teaching young learners than many other CELTA centres, with more course time devoted to this area.

You’ll be assessed continuously throughout the course — there’s no final exam. Assessment is based on:

– 6 hours of observed and assessed teaching practice with real students
– 4 written assignments, covering topics like language awareness, teaching skills, and learner needs
– Participation in input sessions, lesson planning, and professional development

You’ll receive regular feedback and support from your tutors to help you progress. At the end of the course, your overall performance is reviewed, and grades are awarded as Pass, Pass B, or Pass A.

The course is suitable for motivated individuals of all ages and backgrounds who want to teach English in Spain, around the world or online.

The course tends to get fully booked up to two or three months in advance, so it’s best to book as early as you can.

CELTA courses at London School are small and personalised, with a maximum of 12 trainees per course.

You’ll need a laptop for for lesson planning and assignments. You can dress casually and comfortably for your input sessions. For teaching practice, you’ll need to dress professionally (smart trousers, skirts, shirts or blouses, and smart shoes).

We would recommend taking our add-on Grammar Course (free when you enrol through School of TEFL). You’ll learn grammar on the course, but this will give you a head start.

If you want to read about English teaching before the course, Learning Teaching by Jim Scrivener and The Practice of English Language Teaching by Jeremy Harmer are both good options. Again, this is optional, as you’ll learn all you need to know about the theory and practice of teaching on the course itself, but it can be a big help to be familiar with some of the terms and concepts before starting the course.

No – TEFL courses show you how to teach without needing to know the language of your students. If you go on to teach in an English speaking country, you’ll probably have classes of mixed nationality/first language, so using the students’ first language isn’t an option anyway!

Our partner centre provides support with your job search, including guidance on CV preparation, interview techniques, and advice on where and how to apply for teaching positions.

In addition to the support offered by the partner centre, School of TEFL provides continued guidance and career advice. Before, during, and after your course, we’re here to help with CV preparation, job applications, interview tips, and building your TEFL career. You’re always welcome to reach out by email or phone for personalised support – we’re here to help whenever you need us.

Requirements can vary depending on the employer, but generally you will need:

– A recognised TEFL qualification, such as the CELTA
– A high level of English (native or near-native proficiency)
– The legal right to work in Spain (EU citizenship or an appropriate visa)
– A professional attitude and the ability to work with adult or young learners

Some jobs may also require previous teaching experience or a Bachelor’s degree, but many language schools hire new teachers who have recently completed their CELTA.

Having a degree can expand your options, but it’s not a legal requirement to teach English in Spain.

You don’t need to be an EU citizen, but you do need the legal right to work in Spain. EU/EEA citizens can work freely, while non-EU citizens must have a visa that allows employment, such as a student visa with work rights. Most private language schools in Spain don’t sponsor work visas.

If you’re a British or American citizen, you’ll need a visa that allows you to work in Spain. One common option is to apply for a student visa, which permits you to work part-time – usually up to 20 hours per week – while you study at a recognised Spanish language school or university.

With this arrangement, you study in the mornings and are free to teach at private language schools or freelance in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. It’s important to factor in the cost of your Spanish course when budgeting for your stay.

Please note: this visa does not guarantee work – it only gives you the legal right to work part-time while studying.

If you’re from Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you may be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa to live and work in Spain for up to 12 months. These agreements are typically for people aged 18 to 30 (up to 35 for Canadians).

This visa allows you to work legally during your stay, including at private language schools. It’s a popular option for those looking to teach English in Spain without needing employer sponsorship.

Keep in mind that working holiday visa quotas are limited and eligibility depends on bilateral agreements with your home country. Be sure to check the specific requirements with the Spanish consulate in your country.

The majority of CELTA trainees today are non-native English speakers. What really matters is your level of English and whether you have a recognised teaching qualification like the CELTA, not your passport.

While some language schools still advertise for native speakers, this is discriminatory and goes against EU employment law. London School actively welcomes and supports non-native teachers. Being a great English teacher isn’t about where you’re from – it’s about how well you understand the language, how you teach it, and the quality of your training.

The main hiring periods for English teaching jobs in Spain are August to October, for positions starting in the autumn term, and January to February, for mid-year openings and spring term starts.

Some language schools also hire year-round to fill unexpected vacancies or cover short-term contracts.

In private language schools, you’ll typically teach 20 to 25 hours per week, with additional time spent on lesson planning. Most contracts run from September/October to June, though some schools offer shorter-term positions or summer courses.

Teaching schedules often include early morning and evening classes, as that’s when most students are available. You may work with adults, teenagers, and young learners, as well as business professionals.

Spanish students are generally sociable, motivated, and enjoy interactive lessons.

Most English teaching jobs in Spain are in private language schools, particularly in larger cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Bilbao. There are also opportunities in smaller towns and regional centres.

Private language schools often hire newly qualified teachers. While some schools may prefer prior experience, there are entry-level roles available, especially around the main hiring seasons (September and January).

Some teachers in Spain work on a freelance basis, teaching for two or more schools or offering private lessons to adults and young learners. There’s also growing demand for online teaching, which can offer more flexibility.

Short-term work is sometimes available in summer schools or camps, typically between June and August. Positions in international schools or universities do exist, but these usually require teaching experience and additional qualifications.

Salaries vary depending on the type of job, location, and schedule. As a new teacher in a private language school, you can typically expect to earn between €1,200 and €1,600 per month (gross) for a full-time schedule (around 20–25 teaching hours per week). Roles in cities like Madrid and Barcelona tend to offer pay at the higher end of this range, and some positions may offer less.

Many teachers boost their income by offering private lessons or combining part-time roles at different schools. If you’re on a student visa, you’ll usually be limited to up to 20 working hours per week.

The cost of living in Spain is moderate compared to many other Western European countries, though it can vary significantly by region.

In most cities, a typical teaching salary from a language school may be enough to cover your basic monthly expenses – especially if you share accommodation. In San Sebastián, a room in a shared apartment usually costs between €400 and €600 per month, while a studio apartment can range from €700 to €1,000 or more, depending on the location and season.

Your total monthly expenses will also depend on factors like transport, lifestyle, and whether you teach privately or supplement your income with additional work.