Is €700 for 15 Hours a Week Worth It? What TEFL Teachers Need to Know

You land your first TEFL job in a beautiful city like Granada. The cobblestone streets, the Alhambra in the distance, tapas with every drink – it feels like a dream. But then you look at your contract: 15 hours a week for €700 a month. Suddenly, that dream starts to feel a little tight on the wallet.

If you’re currently teaching English (or Spanish) abroad and wondering if you should stay or jump ship for something better, you’re not alone. Many new TEFL teachers face this exact dilemma. Let’s break down what this offer really means and help you decide your next move.

The Reality Check: What Does €700 Buy You?

First, let’s do the math. Working 15 hours a week at €700 a month puts you at roughly €11.66 per hour. In Granada, this is actually close to the standard starting rate for language academies. The cost of living in southern Spain is lower than in Madrid or Barcelona, but €700 still has to cover rent, utilities, food, transportation, and maybe some social life.

A typical room in a shared piso in Granada runs between €250 and €400. Add groceries, a bus pass, and phone bill, and you’re looking at €500–€600 for basic necessities. That leaves you very little for savings, travel, or emergencies. You’re surviving, not thriving.

The Experience Argument: Is It Worth Sticking Around?

Here’s the part that keeps many teachers in place: the experience. Your first year abroad is rarely about the money. It’s about learning classroom management, adapting to a new culture, and building a CV. If you leave after just a few months, you might miss out on key growth opportunities.

That said, 15 hours a week is considered part-time in Spain. You have plenty of free time. The question is whether that free time is being used to build skills, network, or find better opportunities. If you’re just counting down the hours between classes, the experience might be stagnating rather than growing.

The Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore

Your colleagues are telling you to look for something better. That’s a massive red flag. When the people inside the academy are advising you to leave, it’s usually because they know the pay won’t improve. Many language schools in Spain operate on thin margins and rarely offer significant raises.

Another red flag: the contract itself. Fifteen hours a week at €700 often means you are paid for classroom hours only. Prep time, grading, and meetings are likely unpaid. That brings your real hourly rate down even further. Always ask about paid preparation time before signing any contract.

What to Do Next: A Practical Strategy

Instead of quitting outright, start looking while you work. Update your CV, check local TEFL job boards, and visit academies in person. Granada has a thriving language school scene. You might find a position offering 20–25 hours a week for €1,000–€1,200. That extra income changes everything.

You could also supplement your income with private tutoring. Many teachers in Spain charge €15–€20 per hour for one-on-one lessons. Even taking on just two or three private students a week would boost your monthly earnings by €150–€300. That’s the difference between scraping by and actually enjoying your time abroad.

When to Walk Away

If after three months you see no path to a raise, no additional hours, and no professional development, it’s time to go. Your time and energy are valuable. Staying in a dead-end role for the sake of “experience” can actually hurt your career. Employers in the future will look for growth, not just survival.

A better option might be to move to a different city or even a different country. Cities like Seville, Valencia, or even smaller towns in the north can offer better pay and lower rent. Don’t let the sunk cost fallacy keep you in a job that doesn’t respect your worth.

Final Thoughts

Teaching abroad is an incredible journey, but financial stress can ruin the experience. If you’re earning €700 for 15 hours a week in Granada, you have permission to want more. Gain what you can from the role, but keep your eyes open for the next opportunity. The best TEFL teachers know when to hold on – and when to move on.