When people imagine teaching English abroad, they often picture structured lessons, busy classrooms, and a clear divide between work and life. Add Madrid to the mix, and maybe tapas between classes or lively students come to mind.

For Chevonne, a recent TT Madrid graduate, the reality turned out to be much more personal.

From the moment she arrived, Madrid felt alive. People filled the streets. Conversations spilled out of cafés. Life happened outdoors and together. Almost immediately, Chevonne felt connected, not just to the city, but to its rhythm and openness.

That sense of connection quickly found its way into the classroom.

Breaking the Ice and the Expectations

Before arriving, Chevonne expected teaching to feel rigid and professional. What surprised her was how quickly it became warm and personal.

Teaching English is not just about grammar or lesson plans. It is about people. About their goals, their stories, and their reasons for learning. Chevonne found herself genuinely invested in her students’ journeys, whether they were preparing for a new job, planning to travel, or simply gaining confidence.

Teaching stopped feeling transactional. It became supportive, emotional, and deeply rewarding.

This is where teaching becomes more than a job. It becomes a form of connection.

Learning to Live on Madrid Time

Settling into Madrid also meant adapting to a new lifestyle.

Coming from Trinidad and Tobago, Chevonne had to adjust to what many newcomers call the Spanish clock. Later dinners. Longer evenings. A city that stays active well into the night. At first, it was a challenge. As she jokes, she loves her sleep.

But over time, she fell in love with the energy of the city. Madrid values presence. People choose connection over screens, long conversations over rushing home. Coffee becomes a social ritual. Meals become shared moments.

In Madrid, meals and coffee are social rituals where people choose long conversations and presence over rushing home.

Teaching fits naturally into this rhythm. It gives structure to the day, while the city fills the rest with life.

Falling in Love with the Small Moments

Some of Chevonne’s favourite moments have nothing to do with the classroom.

Her morning coffee routine. Walking through her neighbourhood. Ordering in Spanish. Greeting familiar faces. Exploring cafés across different areas of the city, sometimes just to change scenery while planning lessons.

These small, repeated moments are what made Madrid feel like home.

They are also what many teachers say they would miss most if they left.

Becoming More Than a Teacher

Teaching in Madrid changed Chevonne in unexpected ways.

She found herself more open, more social, and more patient. Learning Spanish and navigating a new environment required letting go of perfection. Making mistakes became normal. Asking for help became easier.

Teaching encouraged her to reconnect with people again. To enjoy meeting new faces. To engage without overthinking.

As she puts it, the experience helped her break down shame, try new things, and be kinder to herself along the way.

If Madrid Were a Person

Asked to describe Madrid as a person, Chevonne laughs.

Outgoing. Sociable. The life of the party. The one in the middle of the room, inviting everyone to join in.

Madrid is like that person in the middle of the room, inviting everyone to join the fun and feel connected.

That personality is reflected everywhere. In the city. In the people. And in the way teaching naturally connects you to both.

Teaching as a Way In

For those considering teaching in Madrid, Chevonne’s advice is simple. Don’t live with “what if”.

Teaching through TT Madrid gave her more than a qualification. It gave her community from day one. Support through the practical side of moving. And a network that made the city feel approachable instead of overwhelming.

Her story shows what TtMadrid’s mission is really about.

Teaching English in Madrid is not just about lessons.
It is about routines, people, and daily life.
It is about using teaching as a way to connect with the city.

Discover what teaching in Madrid really feels like.
Explore life, community, and connection with TTMadrid.