One of the best things I’ve ever done was move to Spain to be an Auxiliar de Conversacion, also known as a language assistant. Even though I’m no longer there, there is so much I have to share about the experience. I’d actually started this post when I was still living in Madrid. I kept a running list of tips and things I wish I’d known to eventually be able to share with anyone looking to go through the program. So here you have it!

The first thing I did when I officially decided I was going to apply to be an Auxiliar de Conversacion in Spain was research. I Googled, got on Facebook, looked up all the blogs on Pinterest, and did my best to find people who’d been there to help guide me. Thankfully there was tons of info, but most of it was outdated or I had to read through hundreds of threads and comments on Facebook to really get answers. (That alone should have foreshadowed the next two years of finding info via FB groups, ha!) So because I’m here, in it right now, I thought I’d pay it forward a bit by sharing my experience with you.

Here are some tips when preparing for life as an Auxiliar de Conversacion.

1. Especially if you’ve never been a teacher, it can be very difficult to not get emotionally involved or attached. For me, for example, I worry about the kids. They’re in my dreams, not in a creepy way, but they are simply ever-present in my mind. It seems most teachers develop ways to have boundaries after time, but I wasn’t a teacher before and I haven’t made it there yet. (I still think about them, wonder how they’re doing, and check in from time to time!)
2. You will get flack from teachers if you’re in a bilingual school. There is a ton of resistance and pushback regarding bilingualism. Many teachers get very frustrated by the fact that students are learning some more difficult topics in English, and they believe the kids spend more time being confused than learning. The history of Spain, for example, is a common point of contention. At bilingual schools, history is taught in English. (Admittedly, it’s a little strange being a Spanish person in Spain learning about your country’s history in another language.) You’re likely to hear comments fairly frequently, so just remember it’s nothing personal, but lots of teachers don’t agree with us being here. 
3. You will also get some grief because of pay. As an Auxiliar de Conversacion in Madrid, we made 1,000€ per month. (Pay ranges based on where you teach). Because this is technically a grant, it’s public information. Teachers know it and several are very frustrated. Many have expressed how unfair they think it is, considering the amount of work and responsibility we have. Again, we bear the brunt of this, but it’s not personal. 
4. The culture shock will not only affect your personal life. Spain is undergoing some major immigrant influx right now, so depending on where you end up, you’ll likely have several different cultures to face. I, for example, work in a school in an area full of Central & South American immigrants and Spanish gypsies. There are Dominican gangs, gypsy gangs and Spanish gangs, which affect the kids’ personal lives. Then there’s also their cultural values and how they do or don’t prioritize education. It’s definitely interesting to learn about their different cultures, I swear I learn something every day! 
5. Be ready to be flexible. Every teacher works differently and will want to work with you differently. Some will be very clear and work with you to come up with a game plan for the year. Others will hardly use you for more than speaking or vocabulary. Others will basically treat you like a fly on the wall. It definitely depends on them, their subject and you. Again, don’t take this personally, but be flexible and learn to adapt.
6. Be smart about your money. Many people who do this program come without savings or a buffer, and end up having to take on additional jobs to make ends meet. If you’re okay with that, great! But having to worry so much about money is going to be a damper on your experience, no matter where you are. I recommend budgeting really well and making sure you have a little bit of cushion for your time, especially if you don’t want to take on additional work.
7. I think the number one thing people don’t tell you and you don’t prepare for when coming to Spain to teach English is how exhausting it actually is. I’m not complaining, I got paid a decent decent wage for approximately 20 hours of work per week. Between the kids, the teachers, and the work, it can be emotionally draining. And that’s before we even consider potential roommate drama and side jobs.
8. Information can be complicated, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. When it comes to filling out visa paperwork, stuff for your TIE (your Spanish ID card), and paperwork for travel, things can be a little unclear or hard to find. This is where the FB groups I mentioned in the intro are CRUCIAL. They’re a great place to meet other auxes or expats and get useful tips and advice. I was really stubborn at first and didn’t want to ask for help but these groups saved me so much time!

At the end of the day, moving to Spain to be an Auxiliar de Conversacion was an amazing decision. I loved living there, love my kids, and am infinitely grateful for the experiences I had in the two years I was there. I know some people get overly excited and others get overly negative and I just want to help you prepare however I can!

Also, a friendly note: I was an Aux during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years. I was there when the pandemic hit and we all thought we were just going to have an extended spring break. (LOL at how naive we all were). From what I can tell, things have changed a bit but for the most have stayed the same. If you’re considering teaching English in Spain, I recommend you do as much research as possible! I’ve got some more tips here!

*Disclaimer: this is all based on my personal experience and that of others I’ve spoken to. I do not speak for the program, my school, or anyone other than myself.

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