The Spanish Education System with Elena

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating and often intense world of the Spanish public education system through the eyes of Elena, a veteran English teacher with 34 years of experience. From the high-stakes "lottery" of the oposiciones state exams to the gruelling process of earning a permanent post, Elena pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to build a lifelong teaching career in Spain. She shares her personal journey of navigating regional transfers, a well-earned sabbatical, and the 23-year trek it took to finally land a position in her hometown.

Beyond the bureaucracy and exams, we explore the heartbeat of the Spanish staff room. Elena discusses the evolution of English fluency among Spanish youth, the ongoing controversy surrounding bilingual programmes, and the "sacred" importance of the mid-morning coffee break. It is a candid look at the challenges of shifting education laws and endless paperwork, balanced by the joy of the holidays and the deep camaraderie found within teaching departments.

Whether you are an aspiring educator curious about international systems or simply a fan of behind-the-scenes stories, this conversation offers a grounded perspective on the life of a civil servant in Spain. Elena’s reflections on her upcoming retirement and her passion for seeing struggling students succeed provide a heartwarming conclusion to an episode filled with expert insight and cultural wit.

Hosted by Debbie Ross
Find us on Instagram & Facebook: @nurturingeducators

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or to chat, please email: nurturingeducators@gmail.com or visit  www.nurturingeducators.co.nz

Thanks for listening! 

Transcript

Debbie: Hello everyone! Today we're joined by Elena, a veteran teacher with years of experience in the Spanish school system. We'll be exploring what it's like to build a teaching career in Spain—from the grueling exams to the daily life in the staff room. Elena, thank you so much for being here today to share your story with us.

Elena: Mm-hmm, right. So, hello everyone! First of all, I have to say that I feel flattered that you're going to share my views with your listeners, right on the other side of the world.

Debbie: Wow, yeah, I know! It's exciting for us to hear a little bit about what it's like to be in the Spanish school system. So, would you like to just tell us a little bit about yourself?

Elena: Right, so I've been teaching English for 34 years now. Can you believe it?

Debbie: Wow. Yeah. Time flies!

Elena: Yeah, really it does. Well, I took a sabbatical once, like 13 years ago—the only break that I have taken.

Debbie: Wow. And how long was that sabbatical?

Elena: Yeah, it was one year. I really needed, like, a breath of fresh air to refresh my batteries, and it went very well. I felt so grateful that I could take it.

Debbie: Great. So, you’ve been at your current school for a while now?

Elena: It’s my 11th year here. I actually started back in 1992 in Madrid. That was my first school, right after I passed this massive test that we will be talking about later on. From Madrid, I was transferred closer to home, to schools near León, and finally, I made it back here after 23 years in different schools. I finally made it home.

Debbie: It’s such a different system, isn’t it?

Elena: Yeah, man. Now I'm at the end of my career, very near retirement. I’m looking forward to that!

Debbie: I’m excited for you! So, let’s talk logistics. What degree do you actually need to become a teacher in Spain?

Elena: Well, in a state school—because the private sector might work differently—you have to pass a massive exam. To register for that exam, you need a bachelor's degree in whatever subject. It doesn’t even have to be specifically in the specialty you're testing for. You could have a degree in history and take the English exam. Then, you need a Master’s in Education.

Debbie: So, how many years of study is that total?

Elena: It would be maybe five years. In my time, the degree itself was five years. Now it’s usually a four-year degree made longer by the Master's. And as I said, you don’t need an English degree to register for the English exam, as long as you can pass the test. If you can't pass it, then they ask for specific certificates or degrees.

Debbie: For an outsider who doesn't understand this "state exam," could you explain it in a bit more detail?

Elena: Well, it used to be a nationwide state exam. Now, it’s region-wise. Our region, Castilla y León, is very big—nine provinces—so it’s still a big deal. Each region organizes its own process, and it is complex. This year, for example, there are exams. They happen on average every two years now.

Debbie: Only every two years?

Elena: It used to be every single year in my time, which was better. But now there are not enough positions on offer, so people have to wait. The process starts at the end of June and goes through July. It involves so many people—not just the examinees, but the boards of examiners, who are chosen among ordinary teachers like myself.

Debbie: How are the examiners chosen?

Elena: It’s like a lottery! They draw letters of the alphabet to correspond with surnames until the panels—the tribunales—are full. Even the venues are a surprise. This year, English is in Salamanca. So, every teacher testing for English has to travel there, book hotels, and sit the exam on a Saturday. It’s a huge responsibility to be on a panel.

Debbie: Once they pass the exam, how are they allocated jobs?

Elena: Oh, passing is a multi-stage process. First, there's a written topic selected at random out of 70 possible topics in the syllabus. Then a practical part, like text analysis. If you pass that, you are called back for a private appointment to read out your exam in front of the examiners.

Debbie: You have to read it aloud?

Elena: Yes! Including all your mistakes. It’s funny because people see their mistakes as they read, and they have to try to save face. If you survive that, you go to the didactic part in July. You have to defend a year-long teaching plan and then, like bingo, you draw a ball to see which of your 15 teaching units you have to present on the spot.

Debbie: That sounds incredibly stressful.

Elena: It is! And even if you pass all that, there’s a "merit phase" where they rate your experience, courses, and publications. Only the people with the very highest scores get the available positions. The rest go into a "pool of substitutes" and often have to redo the whole exam process again next time.

Debbie: And in Spain, the government assigns you to a school, right? You don't just apply to one?

Elena: Exactly. I can't imagine just going to a school and saying, "Hello, I want to work here." No, it’s all official. Depending on your score, you are appointed to a place. You can’t drop out; you have to stay there for at least two years before you can even apply for a transfer. That’s why it took me 23 years to get back to my hometown!

Debbie: Why did you choose a state school over a private one?

Elena: At the time, there weren't many private schools here, and the ones that existed were religious—not really my cup of tea. I felt strong enough to take on the state exam right after college. It was the "boom" of English taking over from French, so I saw the opportunity. I was lucky enough to pass on my first try.

Debbie: Amazing! And where did you learn your English?

Elena: At university here, but I also did an Erasmus year in Ireland. These days, I just keep practicing by listening to the news and staying exposed to it.

Debbie: Do you think the level of English in Spain has improved over the years?

Elena: Definitely. Students start younger now and have more exposure. While grammar is still hard for them, their fluency and oral skills are much better. Sometimes I look at these kids and think, "At their age, I couldn’t speak a word!"

Debbie: Does the "bilingual" program in schools help?

Elena: It’s controversial. It helps because of the exposure—some classes take subjects like history or science entirely in English. But some parents prefer those subjects in Spanish so the kids know the terminology in their native language. Not everyone agrees it’s the best way, but it’s definitely good for their English.

Debbie: Let’s talk about the culture. Why is the mid-morning coffee break so sacred for teachers here?

Elena: [Laughs] For me, it is sacred! It’s a breath of fresh air. You see your colleagues and try not to talk about school. Because we don't have lunch at school, that 20-30 minute break is really our only chance to recharge.

Debbie: And how do you support each other? You only have three long terms in Spain.

Elena: The English departments are usually very tight-knit and supportive. If someone is overwhelmed with marking or family issues, we try to chip in and spread the load. I’m very happy with my team; we work together most of the time.

Debbie: What do you enjoy most about teaching in Spain?

Elena: Mmm... that’s a trick question! Honestly? I enjoy the holidays. The long summer break is the best part—you need it to recharge. But it’s also lovely when past students come back to say hi. The worst part is the assessment and the paperwork. It’s never-ending!

Debbie: What is that final day of school like?

Elena: There are two "ends." The students leave around June 23rd, right before the Noche de San Juan—the midsummer festival with bonfires and fireworks. That’s joyful! But teachers stay until June 30th to finish paperwork. That final day is absolute bliss.

Debbie: Do you do a staff lunch to celebrate?

Elena: Sometimes! In smaller village schools, teachers are often roommates and become very close friends, so they have huge parties. In the bigger city schools, it’s a bit more serious, but we still try to get a night out on the town or a trip together.

Debbie: Well, it’s been so nice to have you on the podcast today, Elena. Thank you for showing us what it's really like to be a teacher in Spain.

Elena: Thanks a lot to you! I hope you keep on nurturing teachers for a long time ahead.

Debbie: And thanks to our listeners for tuning in! See you next time.

Please note that these notes were generated with the assistance of AI technology. While every effort has been made to ensure the content accurately reflects the provided interview, there may be occasional errors, nuances lost in translation, or technical inaccuracies.