Volunteer in Spain
Support pupils in Spanish schools, learn the language and live like a local on a supported gap year.
What Kind of Placement Will You Have in Spain?
Our Spain programme focuses on school placements, supporting pupils and classrooms day to day.
Support teachers in local Spanish schools, working with pupils in classrooms and school activities while gaining practical experience in an education setting abroad. A brilliant way to experience Spanish life from the inside while making a real difference to the children you work with.
Why Volunteer in Spain?
Volunteering in Spain offers a supported gap year experience, combining Spanish language immersion, cultural exchange, and meaningful school placements that help you build confidence while living like a local.
No Spanish is required. English is used in schools, but living in Spain gives you plenty of chances to practise the language every day, from chatting with your host family to ordering coffee in the plaza.
Live with a welcoming Spanish host family and experience daily life from the inside. It is your backstage pass to Spanish culture, home-cooked food, traditions, and conversation while settling into life in Spain.
Support fantastic local teachers and energetic pupils in Spanish schools while helping students practise English. You will gain real classroom experience, build confidence, and make a positive contribution to the school community.
Carefully vetted school placements, clear guidance, and a dedicated support team mean you are never on your own. From orientation to ongoing help, there is always someone available throughout your time in Spain.
Enjoy the relaxed Spanish lifestyle while building friendships with fellow volunteers, host families, and locals. From tapas evenings to exploring cities like Barcelona or Valencia, there is always something new to experience.
What Your Gap Year in Spain Looks Like
A gap year in Spain combines structured volunteering with cultural immersion, helping you build confidence while living and volunteering within a local community.
Day-to-Day Life
Settle into a routine at a local Spanish school, supporting classroom activities and school life, with time to explore and experience everything Spain has to offer outside your placement hours.
Skills and Confidence
Gain practical experience, responsibility and confidence that can support your future study, career or volunteering ambitions.
Independence and Social Life
Live with a host family, experience daily life in Spain, and build friendships with other volunteers and the local people you meet along the way.
Support Throughout Your Placement
You are never on your own, with guidance before you start and support available throughout your time volunteering in Spain.
Meet Your Spain Programme Manager
Your safety and wellbeing during your gap year is our priority.
Josh Goldblatt
Programme Manager Spain
Originally from London, Josh has lived and worked in education in Spain for over 30 years and knows the placements and host schools personally. He is passionate about helping young people experience the world and will be the first to tell you he wishes he had done a gap year himself.
“Spain has a rhythm to it that gets into your bones. The food, the warmth of the people, the way life spills out onto the streets in the evening. Volunteers who go there don’t just visit Spain, they live it, and that is a completely different thing.”
A Real Story From a Spain Volunteer
A first-hand account of what it is really like to volunteer in Spain as a School Language Volunteer.
Spain Volunteer Reviews
Rated by people who've been there and done it.
School of my dreams
If I could give this school a 6 star rating, I totally would. Nestled in the outskirts of Segovia, the Cooperativa Alcazar de Segovia is way more than just a school. It’s a true community, and dare I say, even family. The students have been together since kindergarten, and graduate together once completing secondary education, so to say they are a pretty tight knit group that knows everything about each other isn’t a far fetched statement. Coming in as outsiders, they quickly welcomed me and the other volunteer with this placement, and immediately treated us as one of the group. The staff is exceptional, and the relationships I built with them are definitely life long relationships that I’m so grateful for. They love to work with you and provide support in whatever you need, whether it’s help on a lesson plan/ activity for the students, or helping you plan your next weekend excursion. They are so welcoming, helpful and kind, even to the point of offering you their homes if you need a place to live (in both of our cases, we ended up staying with two of the professors and their families for parts of our stays haha). Bea is an amazing mentor and program facilitator, and won’t sleep until she’s sure you have everything you need to make your experience with them absolutely perfect. She and Pepe will definitely take you under their wing and show you the ropes of life in Segovia. Really anyone you meet there is so unfathomably kind. I don’t have enough words (or room in this review) to say how special these people are and how special they made my experience in Spain. I am very excited to say that my family will be hosting my host family here in the states for Thanksgiving! That’s how deep these roots go. Segovia will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️
A life-changing experience
Everything has been amazing. I’m gaining a wealth of experience in teaching while diving deeply into English and Spanish grammar. I was even given materials to start learning German!
Each week, I plan classes for three different year groups, teaching Spanish through a variety of engaging activities. Both the staff and pupils are friendly and welcoming, which has made blending in so much easier. This experience has also helped me grow on a personal level, allowing me to learn more about myself and what I truly want to do in the near and long term. I would highly recommend this to anybody!
My Experience in Valencia
Coming to Spain has been the best decision of my entire life. I’ve met some of my best friends that I’ll stay friends with for the rest of my life, had some of the best experiences and adventures I’ve ever had, I’ve been able to experience and live a culture so different to my own, all while trying to be a positive role model to my students.
After getting about 2 months into the program, I made the decision to extend my time here because I knew that I would continue to love what I’m doing.
I have already recommended this program to some of my friends back home in Australia, and will continue to recommend it to everyone because it has genuinely been the best year of my life.
