When 700€ Isn't Enough: Teaching Private English Classes in Spain
If you fellow language assistants are anything like I was two years ago you have spent the last six months (or longer) waiting eagerly to find out your placements, painstakingly waiting for your visas, and all the while dreaming about finally getting on the plane and arriving at your destination. For most of you the dream has already become reality (you’re in Spain!) and I’m sure you are all exhausted from looking for apartments and trying to get someone from your school to actually answer a question or two. And after the initial excitement wears away there comes the realization that you are earning 700€ a month… not exactly enough for those glamorous weekend getaways to Paris and Amsterdam.
When I lived in Seville, 700€ was definitely enough to live on and enjoy your free time. I can’t speak personally for other cities, but many have told me that they agree (especially in Andalusia!). To give you an idea, my budget was more or less the following:
Rent: 220€
Bills (My share of electricity and internet): 30€
Prepaid Orange Phone: 40€/month (and I hardly used it other than text messages)
Groceries: 120€/month including a few bottles of wine here and there
Transportation to and from Carmona: 40€ (counting on the bus card discount and that I’d carpool a few times a week)
Eating out: 120€ (Going for tapas and drinks three-four times a week)
Going out: 100€ (This really depends on how often you go out, how much and what you drink, and if you go to places that charge a cover fee)
Total: ~ 670€
As you can see it is cutting it close, but you can definitely live in Seville with the grant money alone. However, I’m sure you haven’t accepted this job without contemplating traveling through Spain and other parts of Europe on your vacations or maybe you plan to take some classes or join a gym. Extra money is always appreciated and easily spent! Luckily it’s really easy to make extra money in Spain using little more than your good fortune of being a native English speaker.
A very common, in demand, and easy way to make extra money in Spain is by offering private English classes, or clases particulares as the Spaniards call them. This will make you more money than almost any other side job you have the luck of finding. But, as with any service you offer, it is essential to know how to connect with potential clients and market your services.
When I first arrived I had no idea how to find students. I was lucky to meet some veterans of the program who gave me some great advice and I had also just completed a TESOL course from SIT prior to arriving in Spain that really boosted my confidence in teaching. Before long I was swimming in clients, working too much, and eventually had to give away or refuse new students. Here I’ve summarized my advice for giving private classes in Spain. Hope it helps!
1. Decide what types of classes you will offer.
Conversation? Grammar? Test Preparation? Business English? What do you know how to teach? If you haven’t studied grammar for years, perhaps you shouldn’t offer grammar classes right away. If you’ve never heard of the First Certificate don’t accept a student who needs help preparing for it! You will be doing your students a disservice and I believe it is unethical. Be honest with yourself and if you only want to offer conversation classes or pronunciation correction at the beginning make that clear to your students.
2. Sell yourself!
There is a large demand for private English classes in Spain but no one can find you if you don’t advertise your services. Place advertisements on popular Spanish websites like loquo and mundoanuncio. They should introduce you and describe your experience and geographical availability. Don’t offer to give classes too far outside of your neighborhood because you will lose half of your pay in transportation and lost time. Remember that if you include your phone number people will call you… at all times of the day and they’ll start speaking to you in very fast Spanish. If your Spanish isn’t up to par consider including an email contact only. In addition to advertising on websites you should print out flyers to post around your neighborhood and at nearby universities, libraries, etc. It sounds a bit old fashioned but I got at least half of my students this way, and they all lived close by since I only put the flyers in my neighborhood!
Check out The Tired Teacher's Guide to Private English Classes for a semester's worth of private class activities, ideas and printouts for only 8€-- the cost of about 30 minutes of a private lesson!
3. Screen potential students.
This is important. If someone sounds very strange by phone or email they probably are. Use caution when agreeing to meet someone for the first time and don’t meet at their home unless you are positive of their identity and reputation. I usually meet my students in a café for the first class but then I do give the majority of my classes in the student’s home. I still think that it is risky that way, but my roommates, boyfriend, etc. always know where I am and when I should be home. If you start classes with someone and you just don’t feel comfortable, apologize and explain that you’d be happy to recommend another teacher. There is no reason to suffer when you are your own boss!
4. Network with past and current auxiliars in your city.
Like I said previously, I had so many classes at some points that I had to give them away. I searched for willing teachers on facebook or through friends. I also got many offers from friends who couldn’t give a class or who had moved out of Seville and had a student to pass on. These classes are usually great because you know what to expect of the student, what they were already paying, and their level of English based on what their previous teacher tells you.
5. Know what to charge and be firm with your price.
Ask other teachers in your city what they charge to get a general idea of what people in your region are willing to pay. Then, evaluate yourself as a teacher. Are you TESOL certified? Did you study English or Education in college? Are you a super talented teacher? Only you can self-assess yourself and put a price on your time. But don’t undercharge just to get some students quickly. Most people understand that price reflects quality and having 2 good students at 20€/hour is much better than 4 flaky students at 10€/hr. People will always try to negotiate with you, but stay strong and don’t sell yourself short; students will come eventually!
6. Don’t become a workaholic.
Soon enough your afternoons will be filled with private classes and your 700€ will become 1200€ in a flash. It’s tempting to keep accepting classes, but remember that you are abroad to enjoy the experience too. Having money is great, but if you don’t have the time to take a flamenco class or go to a concert it’s not worth it. Leave yourself some free evenings and have a clear cancellation and make up policy with your students.
7. Embrace a relationship with your students but don’t become unprofessional.
Some of my students have become great friends and others are like family. I’ve been invited to Christmas dinners and been given movie tickets and bottles of wine. You should embrace having a good relationship with students, as they provide a real glimpse at Spanish life and can offer you advice, experiences, and connections that you wouldn’t otherwise have. But be careful of becoming unprofessional. Class time should be serious and a friendship shouldn’t mean that a student starts canceling whenever they want or that you do the same. If you get to a point where class time isn’t spent on anything productive you have a responsibility to end the professional relationship and just stay friends.
Hopefully this helps everyone who would like to teach private classes this year while in Spain. I honestly think that they are a great experience for teaching, getting to know Spanish culture, and meeting some interesting people.
Does anyone have any personal advice to add? Or maybe a funny story about a past student (no names!)?
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Fadi Abdelhak
Hi, Lauren,
I am planning on moving to Barcelona and teach English there. I teach conversation classes, as well as IELTS. My question to you is, would students come to my apartment for the private lessons, instead of me going to them? Many thanks for you kindness and courtesy.
Lauren Aloise
Some might, but many prefer the convenience of the teacher coming (and families almost exclusively want this). Good luck!
Luis Santiago
So what is this template everyone raves about? Is it still available to see?
My intention is to teach "architecture English" to university students.
Any thoughts on that?
Thanks in advance.
Lauren Aloise
Hi Luis, it was just a poster to hang on the streets-- an outdated practice I'm afraid!
Joanna banciu
Lauren this is so helpful!!! Could you also send me a template please?? Thank yoU!!!
Lauren Aloise
I'm afraid I no longer have the template (old article), glad you found it useful though!
Jonny
Thanks for the advice, Lauren! I would love a copy of your flyer template as well!
jfhouse00@gmail.com
Lauren Aloise
Hi Jonny- afraid this is such an old post that the flyer template is no longer with me! And today I'd recommend trying to search online (tusclasesparticulares is good!).
Samuel
Great advice, I moved to Spain 3 months ago to a little town called La Palma del Condado which is 45 minutes bus journey from Seville. Because it is a small town and there is an English Academy here and another Native English women, I have found it harder than is usually expected to get new students. I have a few, and since the new year I seem to be getting more and more but if I want to visit Portugal, Morocco, a lot of Spain and 10 days in NYC during Easter I need more students! Simple! I have followed your tips, also the tips of the locals and my tutors (whom I get very positive feed back from) but it seems competition is the main problem. I'm considering finding a cheap hostel in Seville, there I'll stay just one night (Saturday) so I can find & teach more students from the city on Saturday & Sunday days. What do you think? Any suggestions or more tips?
Lauren Aloise
Hi Samuel, it's been many years since I've taught English here, but I think the competition has definitely increased. I would consider moving to the city if you want to fill your schedule with private classes. Best of luck!
Samuel
Thank you for your advice Lauren. Since I last commented things have taken a turn for the better. The academy has closed and more & more students are contacting me as the weeks go buy. However I am thinking of moving to the city in summer as apparently little towns like this become ghostly because they all move to their beach homes (Alright for some eh?).
Samuel Guy
In a weeks time I will be in Seville, a scholarship as an English teaching assistant. Could you, give me some advice on acquiring grants? Where do I look, how do I apply ext ext. Also are there any websites you know of to advertise private English lessons?
Thanks!!
Lauren Aloise
Hi Samuel, when I was there the grant was the stipend from the assistant program-- it was 700€/month. I found private classes on tusclasesparticulares.com -- hope this helps!
Adobea
Thanks for this post Lauren.
I am living in Seville this year and I was beginning to think all was lost because of delays in the grant
Samuel Guy
How and where did you apply for grants?
Kathleen
Hiii! Wow this was EXACTLY what I needed. I live in Toledo and there is no abundance of other auxiliaries here so I haven't had anyone to go to for advice and even just the basics. I would love to see your flyer if possible! Thankkk you for the great post!!!
kathleenangelinekirby@gmail.com
Kendrea
Hi Lauren! This post is super helpful. I'm currently teaching in Vera, Almeria. Since I'm not super close to the other popular provinces, I'm definetly gonna need extra money to travel. I've been a bit unsure of the clases particulares because i don't have teaching experience and don't know what to focus on so I'll probably check out ur ebook. Could you send me a copy of your template as well? Since it's October, I know I'm starting late but hopefull I can find a few people.
Estrella
Hola Lauren! Just wondering if you could send me a copy of your flyer? I'm finally in Madrid and am on the hunt for some private classes. Thanks 🙂
Phoebe
Hi Lauren, excellent tips! Thanks so much!! I'm interested in buying your Tired Teacher's Guide, but every time I go to pay bpay says it will process the payment and sent the details to your email address? Is this right? Just worried that if I do buy it it will be sent to your email (it is an electronic document, right?) You can email me if you like! Thanks, Phoebe 🙂
Lauren Aloise
Hi Phoebe! Yes, that's right. If you ever have any problem with the download, however, just email me and I will send it by email. Hope it is helpful!
Josef
Hi Lauren, Great post!
Laurie
Hi Lauren,
Great blog! I'm headed to Madrid in a few weeks as an Auxiliar. Would you be willing to share your flier with me, too?
Gracias.
Kalani
Hi Lauren, I'd love to see your flier as well. I am an attorney moving to Spain in the fall, taking the TtMadrid TEFL, and hoping to be able to market myself to lawyers and law students to teach Legal English. Thanks for your advice!
Hayley
Hi! I would love to check out your flier for inspiration. I am looking forward to teaching some lessons in Logrono, La Rioja this fall. I was also wondering if you used a certain coursebook? Or what did you use to help plan lessons?
Thanks!
Lauren Aloise
Ok, I'm sending it over! I didn't use any specific book because each of my private classes really varied. Each student has a different level, age, and goals, so you really should customize your materials. That said, once you begin with a student, it may be a good idea to tell them (or their parents) that you'd like to work with a specific book (I used some Cambridge ones) and that they should order it. Good luck!
Kady
Your posts are great! Was hoping I could get a copy of your flyer to look at as well, kadywoods1@gmail.com I'm looking into the English teaching program and just thought it'd be good to start prepping for everything, including the instruction of clases particulares. Gracias!
India
Lauren, this is great! Thanks so much for writing about this. I'm jumping through all the hoops to enroll myself at a Spanish university in the fall and am hoping to take on a few students. i'd love to see your flyer ... good luck with everything!
Patrice
Hi Lauren!
Thanks for the great tips here! I'm hoping to become an auxiliar next year and I'm sure that I'll need to find ways to supplement my income (most likely by tutoring). I would love to see your flyer if you don't mind.
Thanks! 🙂
Lauren Aloise
Great Patrice! I'll send it over!