With Spain’s unbeatable weather and the rich culture of the Spanish people, it’s no wonder why people love the idea of coming to live in Spain. Luckily, some programmes, such as the “Auxiliar de conversación” programme in Madrid and the rest of Spain (under the Spanish Ministry of Education), allow native English speakers to do just that. Other language assistant programmes in Spain include BEDA, UCETAM, and MEDDEAS.
As the programmes become increasingly popular, knowing about your different options is more helpful. In this article, especially if you want to teach English in Spain, we talk about the EBC Road2Spain programme, which is your ticket to teaching English in Spain while learning Spanish. We also go over some of the qualities of our Road2Spain package that make it different from the “auxiliar de conversacion” programme. Read on to find out more.
With Spain’s unbeatable weather and the rich culture of the Spanish people, it’s no wonder why people love the idea of coming to live in Spain. Luckily, some programmes, such as the “Auxiliar de conversación” programme in Madrid and the rest of Spain (under the Spanish Ministry of Education), allow native English speakers to do just that. Other language assistant programmes in Spain include BEDA, UCETAM, and MEDDEAS.
As the programmes become increasingly popular, knowing about your different options is more helpful. In this article, especially if you want to teach English in Spain, we talk about the EBC Road2Spain programme, which is your ticket to teaching English in Spain while learning Spanish. We also go over some of the qualities of our Road2Spain package that make it different from the “auxiliar de conversacion” programme. Read on to find out more.
The EBC Road2Spain Programme
Under the EBC Road2Spain Programme, you learn, teach, and earn. This package includes TEFL certification (students choose between the Trinity CertTESOL or the Trinity CertPT course). It also gives you a one-year student visa under a Cervantes Institute-accredited Spanish language course.
This is how the programme works:
- You take either the Trinity CertTESOL or the Trinity CertPT online course.
- You get TEFL and TESOL certified.
- You get to use the EBC free, worldwide and lifetime job placement programme
- You get to work as an English teacher for up to 30 hours/week in Spain with your 1-year student visa
- You get to study Spanish at a Spanish school for a year.
“Auxiliar de Conversación” programme vs EBC’s Road2Spain: Take your pick.
One of the main differences between the “auxiliar de conversación” programme and EBC’s Road2Spain package is your level of control over where you end up.
While many language assistant programmes in Spain allow applicants to state their preferences, many language assistants don’t have much control over their final placement.
Though there are many great locations to teach English in Spain, only some get their first choice. However, with the EBC Road2Spain programme, you have complete control over which school or academy you teach at. After all, this is how our job placement works. After you finish your Trinity CertTESOL or Trinity CertPT course, you put your CV on the EBC student management zone. Then, you tell us your preferences–where and when you want to work and which age groups you want to teach. After this, we will send your CV to all our partner language schools in your chosen area.
When the job offers come, you have the final say. You get to choose where you want to teach English. Because you will be the one going to your interviews, you will be free to ask any questions you have and clarify any doubts. From there, you get to weigh your options and decide which one you’ll end up with. The placement finalisation process is quite different under the “auxiliar de conversación” programme.” Auxies can easily find themselves in cities they didn’t request. Can you, an auxie, decline the city where you were placed? Yes, you can, but you could find yourself back on the plane home or illegally staying in Spain.
“Auxiliar de Conversación” programme vs EBC’s Road2Spain: To teach or not to teach?
Another difference between the “auxiliar de conversación” programme and EBC’s Road2Spain package is the teaching factor. Under the language assistants programme, you are not expected to teach, but rather to assist the main teacher and contribute to the student’s knowledge of English and culture.
However, it is common among language assistants that in some schools, “auxilares” are left alone by the main teachers and co-teachers, who are always supposed to oversee the class. This can be stressful for first-time language assistants with little to no teaching experience. After all, creating an activity for students to review new vocabulary differs from constructing a whole lesson plan.
On the contrary, language assistants interested in becoming educators may find the supportive role of being an “auxiliar” as an impediment to their growth. However, under the Road2Spain programme, you will be certified to teach English as a foreign language. This means that you will be the boss in your classroom. Your class, your rules. Teaching with your Trinity CertTESOL will allow you to grow your TEFL career and leave your mark as an EFL teacher.
“Auxiliar de Conversación” programme vs EBC’s Road2Spain: Learn Spanish while at it!
Yet another difference between the “auxiliar de conversación” programme and EBC’s Road2Spain programme is that you will be enrolled at a Spanish school learning Spanish. One of the everyday struggles of language assistants is assimilating into life in Spain. This is especially true for LAs who do not speak Spanish. Though “auxies” are expected to speak English with their students, they still need to know Spanish outside the school.
Under the Road2Spain programme, you can study the beautiful Spanish language for a year. You will take a one-year Cervantes Institute-accredited Spanish language course with organised activities and excursions (fees may apply). Your Spanish course package includes free teaching materials, WIFI, and library access.
Learning Spanish with your Spanish school will not only help you with your day-to-day life in Spain, but it can also open new doors for you. Many companies are looking for people who speak more than one language. Furthermore, knowing Spanish will allow you to meet new people and establish lifelong friendships across cultures!
Enrol in the EBC Road2Spain Programme today!
Under the EBC Road2Spain Programme, you can build a career in TEFL. You will also learn a new language that could open many possibilities. While at it, you earn as you teach and live your best life travelling around Europe.
If you want to know more about this programme, you can read what some of our graduates have to say! Read about Helga and Beatrice’s Road2Spain stories.
