This blog is mainly to document my own experience applying to Auxiliares de Conversación and to have a way for friends and family to keep up with my adventures once I go abroad. Of course, I’d also like to be a helpful blog those who want to apply to the program in the future and would like to read something from someone who is currently in the program.
(Side note: I am also applying to BEDA, which is a very similar program. I’ll write a separate post dedicated to that later).
I won’t be leaving for Spain for another 5 months or so, but I wanted to start documenting my experience with everything in this program early. This is why I have opened this blog months before even departing for Spain. Also, I feel like information regarding the application process is just as important.
I hope to be informative for people interested in applying to the program and please feel free to ask me questions you may have. I’m going to write a post tomorrow all about the application process. First, however, I want to talk give information regarding the program. This is straight from the program’s site:
Cultural Ambassadors: North American Language and Culture Assistants
This program aims to:
- Promote cultural, educative and scientific knowledge exchange.
- Support Spanish teachers in teaching and students in learning the Spanish language.
- Foster understanding and appreciation between different cultures.
The Assistants get a grant in Spain to provide support to the English or French teachers in language and culture classes and also have the opportunity to learn about the Spanish language and culture and use their experience upon their return to the United States or Canada, thus developing cultural understanding between the citizens of Spain and the United States of America and Canada.
In other words, you are a teaching assistant helping students learn English. This does not mean that you will be a teaching assistant in their English class. You can be assigned to any course (english, science, history, art, etc.). You are paid a stipend (roughly about 700 euros), given health insurance, and work, generally, a few hours 4 days a week. You may be assigned to either a primary or secondary school (you may list a preference in the application but there is not guarantee that it will be adhered to). The exact location of your placement is also up to the program (the greatest number of openings are in Madrid. However, that is also a very popular preference for applicants so not everyone who wants Madrid may be placed there).
It should also be noted that the program does not require any teaching experience and you do not need to be fluent in Spanish.
I know that I had a bit of an issue finding the site for the program in English when I was searching, so I’m going to post it here for others to have (http://www.educacion.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/auxiliares-conversacion-eeuu.html.)
The site also has a manual to the program that I HIGHLY suggest people read. I’ve noticed that a lot of the questions people have regarding the program can easily be answered by reading the manual.
So that’s the gist of the program, if you have any other questions please feel free to ask me 🙂
Lady in Spain 