Thomas Johnson's Internship in Barcelona: Teaching English Abroad

Thomas Johnson's decision to teach English abroad led him to the Barcelona area, where Piktalent matched him with a language academy in Igualada. From his first day, Thomas was welcomed into a supportive teaching environment where he could develop his skills with real students.

He planned lessons, led conversation classes, and worked with students ranging from young children to business professionals. The experience gave him a comprehensive view of language education and the satisfaction of watching his students progress.

The support from Piktalent made all the difference. With help navigating logistics, housing, and cultural adjustments, Thomas could focus entirely on his teaching. His verdict: an experience he'd repeat without a second thought.

Thomas's weekly schedule built up rapidly: by week three he was leading three different age groups (kids, teenagers, adult business English), each with its own pacing and materials. The academy paired him with a senior teacher for the first fortnight, then gradually transferred ownership of lesson planning, homework feedback and end-of-term oral assessments — a structured progression that turned the internship into a genuine teaching apprenticeship rather than a classroom-assistant role.

Piktalent's role was deliberately quiet but constant: vetting the academy before signing the bilateral agreement, securing a shared flat in Igualada within walking distance of the school, running a 30-minute pre-departure briefing on Catalan workplace culture, and checking in twice during the placement. Thomas later said the most valuable single thing was knowing there was always someone local to call if something went wrong — even though, in his case, nothing ever did.