Picture by Roman Mager
Description
The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain to provide North American students who are native speakers of English or French with the opportunity to assist teachers in the English or French programs in elementary, secondary or language schools in Spain (12 to 16 class periods a week).
The program is addressed to US and Canadian university students –majoring in any subject- and graduates, with some proficiency in Spanish.
Students will spend a full academic year in Spain, typically from the beginning of October through May 31 (specific dates are given in the appointment letter the selected candidate is sent). Preferred placement in different Spanish regions can be requested. Participants in the program will receive a €700 monthly stipend and medical coverage.
Who can participate?
- Hold a USA or Canadian Passport
- Hold a minimum of a BA or BS by the end of the academic year preceding the start of the program, be a junior or a senior, or have become a university graduate. Alternatively, you can also hold an Associate Degree or be a community college student in their last semester of studies by the end of the academic year preceding the start of the program.
- Have English or French as your first language. Please bear in mind that, if it deems it necessary, our Office reserves the right to assess the applicant’s proficiency in the language whose teaching he/she is going to assist with at any moment in the application process.
- Be in good physical and psychological condition. It will be necessary to submit a complete medical evaluation signed by your doctor when it is time to apply for your visa.
- Have a clean background check, which will have to be submitted when it is time to apply for your visa.
- Be born not earlier than October 1, 1958. For your information, the ages of most participants range from 21 to 35.
- Participants are requested to have an open-minded and flexible attitude since they will be working as language assistants in the classroom, regardless of their previous educational experience. It is also advisable to have basic communicative skills in Spanish.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This initiative is implemented and supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, which provides information to students on the whole process, free of charge.
However, if you want to have extra assistance throughout the application process and the whole teaching period, the School for Intercultural Education offers additional assistance to interested participants for a fee of $1200, including:
- Pre-departure assistance (choosing a destination, visa application, sending documents on time, translation if needed…) throughout the whole application process.
- Airport reception in Madrid (in a pre-established date)
- 3 nights in Madrid
- Tasks and cultural orientation in Madrid (Specific to your destination region/city)
- 24/7 phone assistance over the teaching period
- Personal staff assistance in Sevilla
- TIE (valid visa while in Spain) application assistance
- Housing search advising
Deadlines
Application deadline with SIE: February 20