Apr
8
Working abroad
Podcast: Download
Here’s Part 2 of my chat with Teresa Córdova from Middlebury College. In this podcast Teresa talks about the ways some American university students have found to work legally in Spain. You can find more info about the Language Assistants program she mentions here. Also, Julie Espinosa, a current language assistant in Madrid, gives advice and general tips about the program on her blog.At the end of this conversation, Teresa gives us a funny phrase for my ongoing “Pongo un circo” segment. This is the part of the interview where we talk about a colloquial expression in Spanish. Teresa’s contribution is estar al loro. You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out what it means. I’ll give you a hint…that colorful, bright-eyed dude in the photo has something to do with it. 
Photo by tolis*. Used with permission.
Hi,
I’m sorry but I couldn’t disagree more with Teresa about the Language Assistants program. This program and many other similar ideas throughout Spain are ridiculous short-term political solutions to the hot potato of English learning here.
In this situation you have native speakers on a grant working alongside “qualified” teachers who enjoy all the benefits of full time employment but in many cases can barely speak the language they are supposed to be teaching. The obvious solution would be to employ native speakers as “real” teachers which is something the government won’t do as it would cause political problems.
Having said that, I suppose it is a way to work here, if you don’t mind being totally exploited.
I just wanted to add that I don’t mean Teresa is wrong when she says that this program is a great opportunity for people who want to work here, it’s just the political aspects I was commenting on:)
You’re right, but changing the current setup raises so many political bugaboos, like you mentioned. I know an American who is circulating a petition trying to get the Spanish and U.S. governments to create a special work visa for language teachers to work as full-time employees in Spain. She’s been at it for almost four years.
Because I’m a citizen of the European Union, I can go and stay wherever I want within the EU. My college also sends their students our for internships in Spanish speaking countries (obviously, mostly to Spain).
Next year I have the possibility to go to Spain for about 2 months for school, and then have about 6 more weeks of my own time (summer break) to stay in Spain. We’re not obliged to go to school, as we may work aswell. I’ve been informing at friends for job possibilities, but I’m a bit afraid my level is not high enough within a year to do some specialized work…
That doesn’t take away I really want to go to Spain and work for about three months with only Spaniards around me.