Teaching English
Updated: Jun 19, 2023
If you saw my first post you have noticed that I teach English in Spain. I have been doing it for about three school years, and although you can only do it for two in the same consecutive city I have managed to go around that factor.
First time American coming to Spain
First off, coming to Spain on a temporary visa is complicates. It involves a lot of paperwork, time, and effort. You have to get an FBI background check to make sure you aren’t some kind of convict, an unexpired passport obviously, and an expensive document translated in Spanish called an Apostile. If this seems like too much to handle already, I recommend doing it with some type of program. At least for your first year abroad. I am not sponsored by this company, but it is one I feel completely comfortable recommending to first year expats looking to teach abroad. It is called CIEE. I went through them my first year in Spain, and let me tell you, they helped me jump through hoops in the middle of a Pandemic. If you are interested or have more questions about the program feel free to email me and connect. I will also offer a direct application link below: CIEE application.
Side Note: Teaching English is not for everyone; however, it does have its many rewarding attributed. For me, I found out that I enjoyed working with middle and high school aged students rather than primary schools. I also benefited a lot through classroom management and professional relatiohships.
2. Second Year Renewal
Alright, the only way to renew for a second year in the same city you must have the school you are placed in renew you internally through their end of the system. Along with this, you have to have had completed the MOOC. This is a Spanish ministry project that every first year language auxiliar is given. Once completed, and the school you are at loves you enough to keep you; you’re pretty much set to renew in the Ministry of Education website. Let me warn you again, bureaucracy in Spain is completely overwhelming and may be hard to maneuver at first. So be patient, be prepared and ask for help. Usually once you complete the MOOC and receive positive feedback from your placement school you can are more than halfway there. My advice is that you should apply for renewal early and don’t be afraid to ask your school any doubts or questions you may have.
3. Are you a third year Language Assistant wanting desperately to stay in the same city?
Okay this was definitely me! I want to start off by saying that I have a very particular situation and that everyone is different. As a third year aux you are allowed to reapply, but you are expected to move to a different community in Spain. With this in mind, many people decide not to leave the city they started in. For me specifically I had developed a life in Madrid, and as much as I wanted to explore Spain I was still not set on moving out of the city. Which is why I applied through an independent program.
If you are coming up to your third year in Madrid, here are some programs that can help you stay in Madrid:
All of these programs have slightly different requirements, but regardless of what option you choose it is best to join Facebook groups with people that have gone through a similar route.
Side Note: I was very lucky to have friends and colleagues that helped me through this third year process. I recommend embracing what each school year has to offer. There will be times were you feel under-appreciated, like you aren't doing enough, or simply unsatisfied. When this happens take a long walk around the city and remind yourself that you are living in Spain! The process is hard and complicated sometimes, but with a positive mindset it becomes so worth it!
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