Teaching English- how to explore Spain through education

The world is a big place, full of fascinating sights and spectacular experiences, just waiting to be explored. No doubt, the last couple of years have been challenging and frustrating, but the planet is still around, and those opportunities are ready for the taking as before.

For a potential TEFL teacher, while the online teaching market has grown exponentially in recent years, the feeling of being in a real classroom and making in-person connections with students is still as appealing as ever. In recent times, it can feel daunting to do this, but the payoffs both on a personal and professional level can be tremendous.

So why now? And more to the point, where to take this passion and energy to share the gift of English with a global audience? For starters, everything does seem to be getting more pricey these days, so perhaps it is better to think slightly more locally than previously. For Brits, that means looking at mainland Europe, and in particular, Spain, to dive into a career in TEFL.

For anyone who needs help forming a teach English in Spain journey, there are a number of reasons why this is the optimum time and moment to grab the metaphorical toro (that’s “bull” in Spanish, by the way) by the horns. By the by, what better excuse to combine a profession in TEFL teaching with quenching a thirst for travel and cultural experiences at the same time? Below are some of the best of those aforementioned moments that are ready for the taking!

Cooking

Now, most people know that Spain is famous for its cuisine, and their love of food. Many people in this country often take a couple of hours in the middle of their day to partake in lunch with their families, sharing memories and making new ones together, before regrouping for the rest of their day at work or studying.

So, the nation presents a plethora of opportunities for honing one’s craft in cuisine, as well as learning about cultural heritage of different regions. Naturally, this presents an individual with the perfect platform for eating, discovering new and fascinating facts about the food that is made in these areas, and of course, some unforgettable moments to look back on in the future.

Transport

When most people think about the transportation options they use in a typical day, the automobile is often the first vehicle they consider. This might be closely followed by trains, buses, trams or coaches, but hardly anyone ever considers hot air balloons! There are a lot of good reasons for this, namely the lack of passenger space in such a contraption and the difficulty of finding just the right weather to actually get airborne, but the experience is considered to be a once in a lifetime experience for the vast majority of those who partake in the pursuit.

In Spain, one is spoiled for choice in this activity – whether looking out over the landscape of Andalusia or the Valencian Community, this a splendid way to pass an early morning or late afternoon in a unique manner. Naturally, the very best views are reserved for either the sunrise or sunset, which coincidentally is when the majority of flights do take off, so be prepared to bring a Thermos for that early start (or some Bovril for the later session).

Caving

Many people do not know that the largest connected cave system in the world is located at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, USA, but one does not need to travel to North America to encounter the delights of caving. Caving, or spelunking as it is also known by aficionados (experts, to you and me), is a pastime that has been enjoyed by citizens in every continent for decades, and continues to be a hobby that stimulates interest in every pocket of the Earth.

Luckily, one does not need to venture too far to find a caving activity that will excite and educate in equal measure: for instance, it is possible to combine this with diving, or for those who wish to take their kids at a more leisurely pace, a straightforward cave walk can also suffice. Of course, it goes without saying that one should bring comfortable and warm clothing, as the temperature does have a tendency to drop below ground. Furthermore, a caver ought to also consider the importance of a change of clothes, a bottle of water in order to keep hydrated, and naturally, a good pair of waterproof hiking boots is a must.

Kayaking

For most people, kayaking is seen as a great way to refresh and re-energise mind, body and soul, providing an instant connection with the river upon which one is traversing, while simultaneously adding a free and healthy rush of adrenaline into the system. Although there are some extreme sports junkies who take the drastic measure of commuting to their work via the use of a kayak, it is safe to assume that this is not the case for the preponderance of individuals nowadays.

For those of us in this larger group, kayaking is an escape of sorts, and where better to get away from it all than in organised activities with experienced professionals, who know exactly what they are doing, both from a technical standpoint as well as a safety point of view. For the curious kayaker, whether a lone wolf or a team player, there is quite literally something for everyone in this outdoor sport to be found in Spain!

Next steps

With all this in mind, what are the next steps a potential TEFL teacher should consider before setting out to enjoy these magical moments? First of all, knowledge is power: getting a TEFL certification is the optimal way to get ahead in the rat race and stand out from the crowd. Secondly, do research – some places in Spain, for instance, big cities, are much more likely to have an English speaking population around, or at least a larger proportion of the locals who have at least a smattering of English.

In addition, investigate the cost of living ‌in Spain; while it is true that the cost of living might cost you less Euros in many respects, this is partly because the average salary is not as high in some places as it is in others. Last but not least, remember that life is for living, and the options are far more varied than at first glance.