There has been much contention on Facebook, the forums, and in many other online arenas regarding the lack of pay for auxiliares (namely in Andalucia, La Rioja, and Catalunya), so much so that many people who were excited to head for Spain are now rethinking their plans.Though I am still excited for Spain, I decided I needed a Plan B.
Much to my suprise, a random Facebook link gave me that option!
There is another program in Spain, very similar to the Ministry program, that has caught my interest. It's called the BEDA Language and Culture Assistant Program. The acronym stands for Bilingual English Development and Assessment, and is located in Madrid (and some parts of Andalucia).
What attracted me to this program was it's location, the attention paid to its own mission, and the opportunity the program affords auxiliares to take on more hours (and make more than 700e/month).
I only applied last week, and hours (between 24 and 16) come on a first-come, first-served basis. I hope that I can get something smack dab in the middle (20 hours gets me 866 euros, which is nothing to scoff at, lol).
The application process is a bit different from the Minstry program, in that you actually have to describe your history with Spanish, teaching, and your foreign travel. You must also sit for an interview, done via Skype. That should be interesting!
If you'd like to have more information, here is a link to the BEDA Program's .pdf FAQ document!
This sounds like a great program, except I'm wondering about the chance of getting accepted since they only have about 170 assistants. I'm gonna look into this more, and probably apply as well. As you said, a Plan B is always good (or even C, as I'm also applying through CIEE – even though that's the same program as the Ministry).
ReplyDeleteBuena suerte con todo!
Sean -- I would say GO FOT IT! I believe they just oepend up the application process. I also feel that even though the hours are first-come, first-served, they have a much more comprehensive interview process as far as acceptance is concerned.
ReplyDeleteMeaning you might actually have to be qualified to join the program, lol. I hope my three years in ESL education and my high level in Spanish will set me apart...hopefully!!
buena suerte to you too! ;)
Oooh, this is giving me something to think about. I would love to extend my time in Spain, preferably until June or so next year (I'd love to stay in Seville, but Madrid could be a new adventure, or I could always be placed elsewhere in Andalusia possibly), and I'm looking to do the French language assistant program for the 2013 academic year, so this might be good to do in the interim. I'd like to think that doing the EFL thing in Spain now would work in my favor.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
(This is packlightly from wordpress, but I'm having trouble posting a comment here under that account)
Thanks for the support! I have always liked your blog and your adventure (though I've been really bad about commenting, lol).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, if you're still in Spain when I get there (Sept. 2013), we should definitely meet up!
Lol I'm worse about updating, I last updated around Thanksgiving. I have new students to teach, new job prospects, this BEDA program, wanting to do the French assistant program, I need to update when I get a minute.
ReplyDeleteIf I do this BEDA program/find a job, I'd be in Spain probably though June 2013 (save for a couple months during summer 2012 when I go back to Chicago and get a new visa), and in Sept/Oct 2013 I hope to be in France, so our paths could definitely cross!