Author Topic: N. American Lang And Culture Asst 2006-07 (Read 90711 times)

SRedw · « **on:** March 09, 2006, 12:15:33 PM »

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Education Office of the Embassy of Spain is pleased to announce that the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science will be sponsoring a North American Language and Culture Assistant Program for elementary and secondary schools in Spain. This program enables US and Canadian citizens to work as English Language Assistants in Spain for the school year 2006-2007. The assistants will work in close connection with experienced Spanish teachers and are meant to collaborate mostly in teaching English oral skills.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could inform your students of this opportunity.

Candidates can find information and requirements on the following website:

http://www.sgci.mec.es/usa/AC/indexing.shtml

Applications for the 482 grants offered should be completed and submitted online by March 20, 2006.

Should candidates have any questions regarding this program please contact our office:

e-mail: norteamericanos@mec.es
Tel: 202 728 2335
Fax: 202 728 2313

José Francisco Olivares Ruiz
Education Advisor
Education Office
Embassy of Spain in Washington.
2375, Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20037
Tel. 1-202-728-2335
Fax. 1-202-728-2313
norteamericanos@mec.es
http://www.sgci.mec.es/usa/AC/indexing.shtml

mikeschneider · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2006, 08:19:15 AM »

The deadline for this program has been extended until May 31st. I applied and was accepted and offered a position in Andalucia. Yesssss.

tonytorero · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2006, 05:56:47 PM »

Well done, Mike! Congrats!!! B)

sticky · « **Reply #3 on:** May 14, 2006, 01:41:02 PM »

AWESOME!

maresjd · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2006, 05:51:41 AM »

hey mike, I applied and was accepted too but I'm going to be in the madrid area. Congrats!!

sticky · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2006, 09:58:57 AM »

Can you choose your city in the application, or do they just assign you wherever?

Later gator,

Phil

maresjd · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2006, 04:26:49 AM »

Amongst the very lenghty application you get to choose three autonomous regions you would prefer to teach in... if you go to the website they list the number of positions available in each region... naturally madrid and adalucia have the most openings... with 120 and 200 i believe?

sticky · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2006, 04:49:27 PM »

Yeah I was just checking out the site.....seems like a lot of paperwork for less than â‚¬631.06 per month... and I would be interested in how many of those \"paid holidays\" they are offering and what those trips include...

sepi · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2006, 05:17:32 PM »

hey mike, I got accepted to Andalucia too!!! Have they contacted anyone yet with the visa info or starting date?

mikeschneider · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2006, 06:25:58 AM »

Hey sepi, I haven't been contacted yet. I would be interested in knowing if anyone else has. I asked 2 of my friends that were also accepted, one to madrid and the other to pais vasco, and they haven't heard anything either. I'm pretty anxious to find out something though, seeing as Andalucia is a pretty big area. I can't wait. I'll post again as soon as I hear anything. Anyone else going to Andalucia?

SRedw · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2006, 09:12:08 AM »

Sticky,

Hey there. I have to agree with you and I was talking about this program with a private student just this morning. They say that you will be working only 12 hours a week, but will it really be 12 hours? I think not. It may depend on your school and the admistration there. I do know that Spanish children get a ton of holidays and vacations, so that's no problem there.

I encourage all who have been accepted to come back and let us know about your experiences.

A great day to all,

Shawn

sticky · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2006, 12:50:45 PM »

Oh your right Shawn...for some reason I registered \"Holidays\" as meaning excursions or something. Anyway, yeah Spain has more free days than any other country in Europe, I believe.

chadulaa · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2006, 04:55:08 PM »

I was accepted into the program for the Autonomous Region of Madrid. Someone emailed me saying that they would send details \"soon\". The information on the web site doesn't provide many details at all, not even the dates. It simply says for the 2006-2007 school year, which I assume is from Oct. to around June.

I thought it was interesting that the deadline was extended twice; I suppose that means that they weren't getting enough applications from qualified candidates, or enough applications period. The pay (631 Euros) may have discouraged some from applying. Those without savings would have a very hard time getting by on that salary, especially in Madrid. I've lived in Madrid a couple of times and rent alone seems to be around 400 Euros on avg for a room in a shared apt. I'm planning on staying with some friends I lived with before for very, very cheap--if I didn't have that option and my savings account I may not have applied due to the low salary.

sticky · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2006, 05:08:28 PM »

But you know, even if it is only 631 Euros per month...I mean they are giving out work visas for this, right? So....1+1=.... with that you could take on another job at another language academy or agency? That could help raise those numbers!

Later gators,

Phil

SRedw · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2006, 05:19:36 PM »

Sticky,

I am sure that you WON'T get a work visa. They probably have some special kind of visa good for only ONE year. Trust. I could be wrong, but I really have a strong feeling about that.

I am, once again, encouraging those who got acceptd to let us know about their process.

Shawn

chadulaa · « **Reply #15 on:** May 18, 2006, 05:28:51 PM »

Ah...I did pump them for some info. toward the beginning of my application process. It is not a work visa that is provided, rather it's a student visa--interesting, huh? One way or another those who wanted could find some extra hours at the English academies around Spain, which is something I won't be doing. I've taught in Spain's acedemies before and thorougly disliked my experiences.

stacylimones · « **Reply #16 on:** May 18, 2006, 08:10:19 PM »

Hi Everyone,
I have also been accepted to the Language and Culture Assistant Program for Andalucia. I have been trying to search for any details possible since we've only been promised further information \"soon\". There is a similar program offered for British nationals that had more information. They say the dates are from the beginning of October til the end of May or June, depending on the region. They also mentioned that there is an orientation held in Madrid at the end of September. I also read something posted by an American girl who was working in Sevilla last year and had a bad experience with getting her visa, then also with the school where she was placed. I hope that hers is not the typical situation. What I do know about Spain is that it is very typical for them to be last-minute with things, so hopefully this will not cause us problems in getting our visas. Also, I think it is most likely that the visas will be student visas, so probably it will be \"illegal\" to work. However, it is pretty easy for Americans to work without papers in Spain, depending on the location. A lot of Americans work as language teachers at private academies or even as waiters or bartenders in the places frequented by tourists/foreign students. At least that is true in Sevilla. Anyway, I really hope that we will hear something sooner rather than later since we have to buy plane tickets and arrange for the visas. I would really like to stay in contact with all of you. My e-mail is stacylimones@yahoo.com Maybe we could start an e-mail group to let each other know if anyone hears anything. ¿Os animáis? Please e-mail me if you have any more info or if you want to start an e-mail group. Thanks a lot, and maybe we will be meeting soon!
Hasta pronto,
Stacy

sticky · « **Reply #17 on:** May 18, 2006, 09:08:48 PM »

Hi Stacy,

Congratulations on getting the placement in Andalucia! I have friends who I found out (today) that they were accepted in this program. I will follow developments closely and share everything I learn.

About your idea for an email list...

That's a good idea, but please understand that the reason I came to Spain to teach English was because I found information on The Expatriate Cafe which encouraged me to do so.

While many people do not post, I assure you that thousands of people read these forums each and every month; we are helping many more people than we realize with all of the comments and the debates us posting-addicts have left here.

So please, rather than start an email list–let's just keep posting on this site!!!

Who's with me?

Later gators,

Phi

stacylimones · « **Reply #18 on:** May 18, 2006, 09:31:40 PM »

Hi Phil and folks,
Very true (that others can benefit from the comments and info we post), so please keep posting! I, for one, am so happy to have a way to communicate with others in the same situation as well as those who can offer advice. So thanks to everyone and let's all keep each other informed.
Mil gracias,
Stacy

maresjd · « **Reply #19 on:** May 18, 2006, 11:08:36 PM »

hey guys... i have a friend that got accepted into the program as well here at my grand university in eau claire, wi... and he called the embassy and the dates are oct 1 - may 31.... i haven't heard from them yet as far as the visas and what not goes, i just emailed them to make sure they got my acceptance letter...

sticky · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2006, 11:06:59 AM »

Hey maresjd,

I am praying to the great TEFL gods that Spanish beurocracy does not swallow your acceptance letter into the cosmic abyss. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Later gator,

Phil

stacylimones · « **Reply #21 on:** May 22, 2006, 08:04:15 PM »

Hey everyone -
Just a thought. If we will be getting student visas, does that mean that we would be eligible for student discount plane tickets? Does anyone know anything about student travel? Let me know!
Thanks,
Stacy

sepi · « **Reply #22 on:** May 22, 2006, 11:04:13 PM »

check out STA travel for discount flights.

1-800-781-4040
http://www.statravel.com/cps/rde/xchg/us_d...ision_web_live/

I used them for flights abroad when I was a student, they had pretty good rates. They may have an age limit for students though, check'em out.

Cepee

sticky · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2006, 02:12:45 AM »

Hey Stacy,

The cheapest flights I've ever taken were through AIR HITCH. You need to have flexible travel dates (and destinations), but one time I caught a plane from New York direct to Madrid for $120 United States Dollars.

Later gator,

Phil

mikeschneider · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2006, 08:29:48 PM »

Hey Phil,

I checked out that Air Hitch site. Good stuff. But, can you explain exactly how it works? They want payment before selecting what dates to fly? I'm a little confused.

Thanks,
mike

chadulaa · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2006, 02:42:22 PM »

Hiya, all! Stacey, I think this is the blog you read about the American girl placed in Sevilla with the same program that we've all been accepted into:

http://www.progressiveu.org/093746-be-wary...-abroad-schemes

I was somewhat expecting a fair amount headache when it came to the visa; however, the part about not being paid for 3 months was somewhat of a shock

. I don't know if the program was new last year and therefore there were problems, but I hope they've worked a lot of this out.

Chad

chadulaa · « **Reply #26 on:** May 24, 2006, 02:58:41 PM »

...a follow up on a comment I made in my last post about my wondering if the program was new last year. I just read something confirming that the program was, in fact, inaugurated for the 2005-2006 school year. Mmm...makes me a little nervous. But at least we're not the FIRST group for the test run :lol:

Chad

stacylimones · « **Reply #27 on:** May 24, 2006, 03:05:51 PM »

Yes, Chad, that was the blog that I had mentioned. It made me a little squeamish, but hopefully it is not the norm. I wish that there were some contact information provided from the program about people who have done it before. On the British Council site, there is the option to read what former assistants wrote about the program. One girl was in Spain (I think in Navarra) and wrote about her experiences and it sounded good. So we'll see what happens... On another note, has anyone heard anything more about visas, placements, etc.?
Hasta pronto,
Stacy

stacylimones · « **Reply #28 on:** May 24, 2006, 03:14:50 PM »

http://www.britishcouncil.org/languageassi...ries-spain-.htm

That's the link to the English girl who was placed in Navarra, a much better review than our American friend.

sticky · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2006, 09:10:08 PM »

Hey Mike,

Let me answer your question about AIR HITCH.

You said:

Quote

I checked out that Air Hitch site. Good stuff. But, can you explain exactly how it works? They want payment before selecting what dates to fly? I'm a little confused.

.

Okay, with air hitch you buy a \"voucher.\" You must buy this in advance (it's okayâ€“I've done it myself).

This will get you on SOME plane. Now here comes the tricky part: getting a flight to the place you want to go to. You will choose severall preferred departure airports, and several preferred arrival airports. Air Hitch will make a connectioin between one of the departure aiports and one of the arrival airports for you.

There are two types of flights in Air Hitch: STANDBY and CONFIRMED.

Through STANDBY, Air Hitch will let you know which flights you can most likely get on at the last second. As stated on their Web site \" You need to show up at the airport, following the instructions for the flight you intend to try and board, and wait in line to see if seats are available on the flight.\"

If you don't get get on that flight, you can try getting on another with that voucher. Thing is, if you really don't care to much about where you are going to land, you can usually get on a flight. My friends went to the airport to get on a flight to Spain, but at the last minute the flight was full. What did they do? They quickly\"air-hitched\" a Royal Jordanian flight to Shannon, Ireland. Took them a few days to finally get to me in Spainâ€“but they loved the travel experience anyway.

The other type of Air Hitch flight is \"CONFIRMED.\" Check their Web site to see the constantly changing list of confirmed flights. Once I flew from New York to Madrid on a flight with 72 hour confirmation. So, voucher in hand...I waited for the email. A few days later Air Hitch contacted me to say that they had a confirmed flight from NYC to Madrid in 72 hours. I grabbed a train from Ohio to New York, stayed at a friend's house, and made the flight.

Basically, if you are flexible you can definitely get a flight to SOMEWHERE on Air Hitch.

Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.

Later gator,

Phil

michelleta · « **Reply #30 on:** May 25, 2006, 11:26:53 PM »

Congrats to all who have applied and been accepted. I\"m thinking about doing this but just realized the deadline is around the corner. Did the application take you a long time to complete? I was just loooking at all of the requirements, including notarized passport copies, etc. and it seems a bit daunting! Any ideas?
Thanks!

michelleta · « **Reply #31 on:** May 25, 2006, 11:52:18 PM »

Do you all think it's too late to apply? I just saw this position and am wondering if I've missed the deadine.

Do you think it would be possilbe to work on the side as well??? I\"m planning to move to Madrid at the end of the summer, but the idea of being an illegal American is scaring me!

Thanks for any help/guidance!

sepi · « **Reply #32 on:** May 25, 2006, 11:58:51 PM »

Michelleta, Do it!!

Don't be overwhelmed by the application. It is time consuming but it can be done by next Wednesday. The most time consuming parts for me were:

Three copies (one of them notarized) of original medical certificate of good health. The letter/certificate was easy to get from my Dr., the hard part was getting an appointment at the last minute.

Three copies (one of them notarized) of a certificate of good conduct (absence of police record) Again the certificate/police record was easy to get, it was the Apositille (a special certification) that was difficult to get. I had drive to another city to get it done.

All the other requirements are pretty much in your hands can be done by May 31st. If you have any questions just let us know. It's worth it, you never know you may be on your way to Spain in 4 months!

michelleta · « **Reply #33 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:03:35 AM »

Hi Sepi,

thanks for the reply. Actually, I am planning on moving to Madrid one way or the other at the end of August. I studied abroad there and have been dying to go back since. I'm thinking that if I could do this legally that would probably be a good thing...

Do you know anything more about the program? Like could I work part-time as well for extra money?

thanks!
-Michelle

sepi · « **Reply #34 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:13:49 AM »

Hi Michelle,

I feel the same way, I've been dying to go back to Spain too but wanted to get back and work in a legal way. So far we have minimal details and it sounds like we're gonna be getting a student visa instead of a work visa. I'm not 100% sure how that covers us when it comes to working. I think I've heard that you can work up to a certain amount of hours a week (10-15) legally with a student visa...being that you are a student. Don't quote me on that, but if that is the case I'm not sure how this program gets around that since none of us will be students.

I'm planning on trying to find work part time too but we're not sure yet if that is a legal option.

michelleta · « **Reply #35 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:15:44 AM »

Hmmm... I'm wondering if maybe I should just stick with my original idea of going there, finding under the table work and hunting when I'm there.... if only we were legal! ha.

Are you going to Madrid?

sepi · « **Reply #36 on:** May 26, 2006, 12:26:00 AM »

Well let me know if you apply. I'm actually going to Andalucia, dont know what city yet. I love Madrid but studied abroad there twice and just wanted to discover something new. How long are you planning on staying there?

SRedw · « **Reply #37 on:** May 26, 2006, 11:36:02 AM »

Hi Michelle,

I agree 100% with Sepi. You should just apply and see what happens. With a student visa, you will be here legally and can work in some academies with that particular visa, not all of them.

I didn't apply for it because if you read carefully, they stress 12 hours a week, but I think it'll be more, depending on where you are and what is required of you at each school. I am also fed up with the classroom and am taking a much needed break. I've been teaching for too long (13 years) and need to find another avenue to follow. I am not saying that teaching is bad, so please don't take it the wrong way.

Once again, I am encouraging everyone who has been accepted to report back often and let us know about your experiences.

Good luck to everyone.

Un abrazote,

Shawn

maresjd · « **Reply #38 on:** May 26, 2006, 06:06:34 PM »

Hey michelleta,

i'd go ahead and try to apply, what have you got to lose? plus who knows maybe they will bump back the application date for the 3rd time now? I remember when the deadline was back in march... but i think this is a really great opprotunity for those of us with little TEFL experience since most places in spain ask for atleast 1-3 years experience (atleast that is what i've found on my job endevours)

-jeff

michelleta · « **Reply #39 on:** May 26, 2006, 10:32:34 PM »

Thanks, guys. I'm still not sure about applying just because it is quite a long commitment -- through June. I think I may call the embassy next week and see 1) if they're extending the deadline and 2) full details -- hours, can I work on the side, etc.

Thanks again, and I\"ll keep you posted!

sticky · « **Reply #40 on:** May 27, 2006, 02:44:42 AM »

Quote

Do you think it would be possilbe to work on the side as well??? I\"m planning to move to Madrid at the end of the summer, but the idea of being an illegal American is scaring me!

Hey Michelleta,

What are you scared about, exactly? You know, one time when I came through Spanish customs, the agent asked me why I had a student visa. I explained \"Uh, you know the United States isn't part of the European Union.\"

To which he replied:

\"Ah, claro, claro\".

Don't think there's too much to worry about.

Later gators,

Phil

egarc · « **Reply #41 on:** May 28, 2006, 07:03:09 PM »

I applied and was accepted to aragon... I'm still waiting for information and tried emailing the guy, but to no avail. I just graduated and was looking forward to this, but its looking more shady every day. It sounds like everybody else is in a similar position though.. and after reading that one girl's blog, I don't know what to think anymore. I'd love to see Spain as I've never been there before, but I want to do it the right way and have a good time. In the meantime I'm trying to get a good job at my university and I recommend you other folk have a good backup plan in case these shady spaniards keep this bullcaca up

RebeccaG · « **Reply #42 on:** May 29, 2006, 09:41:34 AM »

egarc -- Aragon is a beautiful part of Spain, one of my favorites... We spend our summers in the Pyrenees Mountains. Beautiful, pristine and fresh air! Enjoy!

bjlevy · « **Reply #43 on:** May 29, 2006, 03:11:27 PM »

Hi Guys,

I have also been accepted into the program in Andalucia. I live in Washington, DC so I have gone to the embassy and spoken to the people there several times. This is what I know regarding some of the issues raised in this forum:

- The visa is indeed a \"special student\" visa, which allows employment in various jobs in the education field legally
- The program runs from October 1 - May 31
- After sending back your committment letter, the region will contact you regarding school placement
- As soon as this is complete, we can get our Visa from the embassy
- After arrival in the country, we will go to the police station to obtain a \"residence permit.\" In essence, we will certainly be legal for our time there.

I'm really excited about the program, and look forward to possibly meeting some of you in the future!

Thanks,
Bram

ladybrett · « **Reply #44 on:** May 30, 2006, 11:32:30 PM »

Hi, I was accepted to the Madrid region. I am a little nervous because I have very little teaching experience, though, and it isn't clear what exactly our responsibilities in the classroom are going to be. I am thinking of taking a course this summer to prepare myself, and was wondering if anyone had thoughts on this. I will be in San Francisco this summer and was wondering if any one knew of somewhere to take one.
Thanks.

stacylimones · « **Reply #45 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:57:22 PM »

Hi LadyBrett,
Congratulations on being accepted to the program in Madrid! I have also been wondering about our classroom duties. Supposedly we are not planning lessons but rather serving as an 'auxiliar' to the teacher, probably mostly with conversation, but I am sure that they will throw some grammar our way, too. I have been a high school Spanish teacher for the past four years, so I do have classroom experience, but I have limited ESL/EFL experience. Could some of you who have successfully taught ESL /EFL (especially in Spain or to Spanish-speakers) recommend any good books/programs/websites that could help us \"newbies\" feel a bit more prepared?
Gracias y que paséis muy buen día

Stacy

SRedw · « **Reply #46 on:** May 31, 2006, 01:14:52 PM »

Please read carefully what I have pasted from the website:

·Grantees will work as assistant teachers under the supervision and guidance of a classroom teacher.

·Assistant teachers will have a teaching load of 12 hours per week.

·Assistants and the classroom teacher (or the school representatives) may agree upon other activities and responsibilities they should be involved in, including attending faculty meetings, making presentations in classes and participating in extra-curricular activities such as workshops, school trips, student exchanges, music and theater performances, sporting events etc.

PAY attention to point #3. It may be different for each person who has been accepted into the program, but I HIGHLY doubt that you will only work 12 hours a week, maybe teaching only, but I truly think that you will be expected to do the other activities as well.

I still think it's a great opportunity.

Shawn

stacylimones · « **Reply #47 on:** May 31, 2006, 01:39:56 PM »

Hi Shawn,
Yes, I think it is likely that the cooperating school or teacher will want us to participate in more than just the \"12\" classroom hours, but it will probably vary widely from placement to placement exactly what their expectations are for us. While of course you should not let anyone take advantage of you, participating in *some* extra-curriculars and getting involved in the school community where you are placed is the best way to make connections with students and other teachers and to secure a good recommendation at the end of the program.
Saludos,
Stacy

maresjd · « **Reply #48 on:** May 31, 2006, 05:17:46 PM »

And the spanish government pulls through. Surprisingly enough I got all my placement information today (and i'm assuming so did all other people placed in the madrid region). I'm going to be heading to the small town of San Augustin de Guadalix. But the most interesting point is what is in the 2nd acceptance letter. It says that you will be paid the 631.06 for the Language Assistant salary, and then you will make 256 euros a month for 8 hours of teaching to school staff, i'm assuming that's per week. So it looks like we are up to a teaching load of 20 hours a week. Also I'm placed in a city of 8,000 people and there will be 3 assistants from the US and one from the UK. This program just keeps getting more and more interesting.

stacylimones · « **Reply #49 on:** May 31, 2006, 05:54:36 PM »

Wow, that sounds great! Did you get an e-mail or an actual letter? I wonder when we will find out about Andalucia, you know everything moves slower in the South...

News:

Author Topic: N. American Lang And Culture Asst 2006-07 (Read 90711 times)