ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS PROGRAMME - SPAIN 2020/21
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE
ASSISTANTS
PROGRAMME
SPAIN 2020/21
Version published 06 August 2020
www.britishcouncil.org 1
NOTES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS APPOINTED TO SPAIN IN 2020/21 This document is version 1 Spain Country Notes for the 2020/21 English Language Assistants Programme. Any country notes relating to previous years should be ignored for the 2020/21 academic year. FOREWORD Congratulations on your recent allocation to a post as an English language assistant in Spain. Every year, around 2,500 language assistants from the UK support the teaching of English in 14 countries around the world. Every language assistant is taking part in a programme that traces its heritage back to 1905. It began as an exchange programme to allow graduates from France to help English students learn French, with 'young Masters in English secondary schools' heading to France to perform a similar role. Shortly afterwards, a similar agreement was reached with the government of Prussia. Since those early days, the programme has endured major global events, two World Wars, and the Great Depression, to name a few. But while the global political, social, and economic landscapes may have changed over the years, the language assistants initiative has remained committed to increasing language skills across the world. This document contains important information and advice regarding a variety of practical and administrative matters affecting UK assistants in Spain. This document should be read carefully, retained for reference, and considered in conjunction with any papers issued by the Spanish authorities. It is important that you have access to this information whilst in Spain in order to be able to consult it at all times when problems/questions arise. If your permanent (UK) home address, personal e-mail or phone number changes, please inform us immediately by sending an e-mail to LanguageAssistants.UK@britishcouncil.org. We may need to contact you during the year with urgent messages, invitations to events, or to add updates to these notes, so please ensure that you have given us the correct contact details. We hope that you find the following information useful and that you enjoy the year ahead. Best wishes, The Language Assistants team www.britishcouncil.org 2
CONTENTS Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Co-operating partners............................................................................................................................. 5 1.1. British Council...................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2. Partners in Spain ................................................................................................................................. 5 2. Role of the language assistant .............................................................................................................. 6 2.1. Teaching English ................................................................................................................................. 6 3. Posting information ................................................................................................................................. 7 3.1. School allocation ................................................................................................................................. 7 3.2. Dates of appointment ......................................................................................................................... 7 3.3. Holidays ................................................................................................................................................ 7 4. Pre-departure information ..................................................................................................................... 8 4.1. Foreign & Commonwealth Office ...................................................................................................... 8 4.2. Passports and visas ............................................................................................................................ 8 4.3. Travel to Spain ..................................................................................................................................... 9 4.4. Taking a car abroad ..........................................................................................................................10 4.5. Taking pets abroad ...........................................................................................................................10 4.6. Graduates with student loans ..........................................................................................................10 4.7. Insurance ...........................................................................................................................................11 5. Health and wellbeing .............................................................................................................................11 5.1. EHIC card ...........................................................................................................................................12 5.2. Medication .........................................................................................................................................13 5.3. Mental Health .....................................................................................................................................13 6. Arrival ........................................................................................................................................................14 6.1. Induction meeting .............................................................................................................................14 6.2. Travel onwards from the induction courses ..................................................................................14 7. Settling in .................................................................................................................................................16 7.1. Accommodation ................................................................................................................................16 7.2. Registration in Spain – NIE (Número de identidad de extranjero) ...............................................18 7.3. Creating social networks ..................................................................................................................19 7.4. Study opportunities ..........................................................................................................................21 7.5. Settling into school life .....................................................................................................................22 8. Money matters ........................................................................................................................................23 8.1. Monthly allowance ............................................................................................................................23 8.2. Additional income .............................................................................................................................23 8.3. Erasmus+ grants ...............................................................................................................................24 8.4. Currency and banks ..........................................................................................................................24 8.5. Lost or stolen credit cards ...............................................................................................................24 www.britishcouncil.org 3
8.6. Income tax .........................................................................................................................................24 9. Administrative matters .........................................................................................................................25 9.1. Absence from school ........................................................................................................................25 9.2. Solving problems & lines of referral................................................................................................26 9.3. Consecutive years ............................................................................................................................26 10. In-country advice ....................................................................................................................................27 10.1. Personal safety ..................................................................................................................................27 10.2. Travelling around Spain ....................................................................................................................27 10.3. ISIC cards ...........................................................................................................................................27 10.4. Internet ...............................................................................................................................................27 10.5. Phoning home & mobiles .................................................................................................................28 10.6. Lost or stolen mobile phones ..........................................................................................................28 11. Teaching tips and resources ...............................................................................................................29 11.1. Observation period ...........................................................................................................................29 11.2. Teaching materials ............................................................................................................................29 11.3. British Council teaching resources .................................................................................................29 11.4. Language Assistants manual ...........................................................................................................30 11.5. School linking.....................................................................................................................................30 11.6. Bilingual programs ............................................................................................................................31 11.7. Book list ..............................................................................................................................................31 12. Spotlight on Spain ..................................................................................................................................32 12.1. Regions ..............................................................................................................................................32 12.2. National holidays ...............................................................................................................................32 12.3. Emergency services in Spain ...........................................................................................................33 12.4. British Embassy and Consulate .......................................................................................................33 12.5. British Council in Spain .....................................................................................................................34 13. Other information ...................................................................................................................................36 13.1. Drugs ..................................................................................................................................................36 13.2. Political demonstrations ...................................................................................................................36 13.3. Spouses / partners / dependants ...................................................................................................36 13.4. References.........................................................................................................................................36 13.5. Social media.......................................................................................................................................36 13.6. Useful websites..................................................................................................................................36 www.britishcouncil.org 4
1. CO-OPERATING PARTNERS
1.1. BRITISH COUNCIL Our work in the arts involves the very best British
The British Council is the United Kingdom's and international artistic talent. We help increase
international organisation for cultural relations audiences for international work in the UK and
and educational opportunities. We create for UK work globally. We bring artists together
friendly knowledge and understanding between and support the development of skills and policy
the people of the UK and other countries. We do in the arts and creative industries. Through this
this by making a positive contribution to the UK work, we ensure that culture in its broadest
and the countries we work with – changing lives sense plays a vital role in connecting with others
by creating opportunities, building connections and promoting friendly understanding.
and engendering trust.
1.2. PARTNERS IN SPAIN
We work with over 100 countries across the
Language assistants are either employed by the
world in the fields of arts and culture, English
Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional
language, education and civil society. Each year
(MEFP) or directly through the local education
we reach over 20 million people face-to-face
authorities (Comunidad Autónoma). It is
and more than 500 million people online, via
important that you understand if you belong to
broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934,
the Ministry group or the Comunidad group so
we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter
that you know who to address for information or
and a UK public body.
queries. You can find out in your regional
allocation email if you are part of the Ministry or
Our work in English aims to bring high-quality
the Comunidad group.
language materials to every
learner and teacher across the world. In
developing and post-conflict countries, we teach Ministry Posts
English and train teachers through radio, web, E-mail: auxiliares.conv@educacion.gob.es
and TV broadcasts. We offer more than three
million UK examinations worldwide, helping Subdirección General de Promoción Exterior
people gain access to trusted qualifications to Educativa
support their career and study prospects. Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional
Calle de Alcalá, 34, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Our work in education and society helps to
transform national education systems, builds Tel: +34 91 506 5594
more inclusive and open societies, and www.educacionyfp.gob.es/servicios-al-
increases opportunities for young people. We ciudadano/catalogo.html
encourage international students to come and
study in the UK and help British students to gain Comunidad Posts
experience abroad. We bring schools around the Please note that all those posted to cupo
Comunidad posts should contact whoever has
world together, so young people and teachers
contacted them from the local education
from different countries can learn from each
other. department in relation to the post.
www.britishcouncil.org 5
2. ROLE OF THE LANGUAGE ASSISTANT
The role of a language assistant is a very to help you incorporate cultural content into
important one and one that we hope you will your lessons in chapter 10 of this document.
enjoy. Please remember that you are considered
a member of staff with the responsibilities and “It would also not be a bad idea to
required professionalism that this role entails. prepare some presentations/activities
Please refer to our website for more information about your home country before
on your role as an English Language Assistant. leaving.”
As a language assistant you are also an 2.1. TEACHING ENGLISH
ambassador for the UK and its culture. The way
you behave will influence how those around you It is important to be resourceful and use your
view the UK and you should endeavour to set a initiative. If you do not think that you are being
positive example. If you set a bad example, you used sufficiently, make suggestions of topics that
could damage the reputation of the programme you could discuss with the students or activities
and adversely affect the experience of future that you could get involved with. This document
assistants. contains a whole chapter about teaching English,
but the following links are useful for starters:
“Realise that you are going to work,
and not be on holiday. Certainly some • Teaching English - Language Assistant
tourism is understandable but often Resource Book
school years run from autumn to spring • Teaching English - Learning Resources
when your neighbours and peers will
not be sightseers but rather ordinary It is also important to familiarise yourself with the
working people and not tour guides.” education system in Spain as it will help you
know what to expect when you start teaching at
Your first-hand experience of life in the UK is an your school(s). Please see the Euraxess webpage
excellent resource and you should draw on this for specific information.
during your lessons. We provide a lot of advice
© Mat Wright
www.britishcouncil.org 6
3. POSTING INFORMATION
3.2. DATES OF APPOINTMENT
Each region differs as to when they organise
The period of appointment for UK assistants in
appointments and send out information. The
Spain will be 01 October 2020 – 31 May 2021.
British Council is involved in allocating assistants
The only exceptions are appointments to cupo
to a region and sometimes age group, but has
Comunidad posts in Madrid and some postings
no control over choice of town, size of town,
in Valencia which run from 01 October 2020 –
school environment, or when information is sent
30 June 2021. You should check the details in
out. We encourage each region to send
your own Nombramiento.
information out as early as possible. You should
also write immediately to your school(s)
confirming acceptance of the post. If you do not Please note: Due to Covid-19, you may be able
receive a reply by mid-September it is a good to negotiate a slightly later start date with your
idea to ring the school(s) to discuss your school based on your own circumstances. You
placement and give them an idea of your should communicate closely with your school
anticipated arrival date. on this and aim to arrive in October or
November if possible.
You should ask them for information about the
school(s) that you will be working in. For
example, it may be useful to know the age range Most assistants are expected to work 12 hours a
of pupils, the average class size, the general week. Some, but not all, posts in Madrid, Galicia,
level of ability, the social background of pupils, Extremadura, and Valencia are 16 hours, and
the facilities available, and if you should bring some posts in Murcia are 15 hours.
any specific materials from home. It is also
important to enquire about the dress code for Those who have been appointed to more than
teachers and any other general school one school will be asked to divide their time
information. between the schools concerned. You can
request information regarding how your
3.1. SCHOOL ALLOCATION timetable will be arranged from the head of the
host school, which is usually the first one
The maximum number of schools to which you mentioned when you are sent details of your
can be appointed is three. Please contact us if posting in the Nombramiento. If you have been
you have been appointed to more than three appointed to two or three schools, you should
schools. If the different schools are several miles write to all of them confirming your acceptance
apart and you must travel between two on the of the post.
same day, you are entitled to ask for help
towards travel expenses. Under no 3.3. HOLIDAYS
circumstances should an assistant be required to
buy a car just to get to their schools. If following Assistants are entitled to the usual school
contact with your school, you establish that holidays. You should be able to obtain the dates
there is no regular public transport serving your from the school secretary or your mentor
school(s) and there are no lifts available to your teacher. You should not be absent on other
school(s), please inform us of the situation. occasions without prior permission. Attending
Please do not contact us without contacting the induction course does not give assistants the
your school first. right to take leave at a later date.
www.britishcouncil.org 7
4. PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
4.2. PASSPORTS AND VISAS
4.1. FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH
OFFICE Assistants must be in possession of a standard
10-year passport before leaving the UK and are
Before travelling to Spain you should ensure that advised to ensure that it will not need to be
you check the Foreign and Commonwealth renewed before October 2021. Those who are
(FCO) travel advice pages (www.gov.uk/foreign- not in possession of a passport, or need a new
travel-advice) and ensure that you have one, should complete the application procedure
subscribed to updates so that you receive any as soon as possible either through a regional
important changes to the FCO’s advice. During a Passport Office or online at:
crisis, advice for British nationals will be www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports.
published on the travel advice website and
updated regularly, so by subscribing you will Holders of a UK passport and nationals of other
ensure that you are aware of any updates. You EU countries do not currently require a visa to
can register for emails using this link: enter Spain. Holders of UK passports should
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/email- keep informed of Government advice on the
signup. status of British citizens in Spain in case there
should be any changes after the Brexit transition
A note regarding Brexit: period has ended. If you have dual nationality
with another EU country, you may consider using
The UK Government has launched a new this passport while travelling in Spain as it may
website to help businesses, organisations, help to avoid complications with paperwork and
individuals, and families check what they need other administrative processes on arrival. You
to do to prepare for the UK leaving the EU. The should discuss any changes to the passport you
section for UK nationals living in the European are using with the Comunidad/Ministerio before
Union contains specific advice for British arrival.
Nationals living in Spain. Language assistants
have a responsibility to keep themselves This does not apply if one of your passports is
informed of changes to the Government’s Spanish. Assistants should always carry
advice on Brexit and the impact these changes photocopies of their passport as a form of
may have on British nationals living in Spain. identification but ensure that this information is
kept safe and out of sight.
The website contains links to sign up to email
alerts on different topics relating to Brexit. We
recommend that assistants sign up to these
alerts and continue to check the Government’s
website for any updates.
www.britishcouncil.org 8
The following websites may help you when
4.3. TRAVEL TO SPAIN
booking your travel:
“Travel around Spain is cheap - buses
• www.skyscanner.net
and trains all good price, but some
• www.eurostar.com
timetables are not frequent. Avoid
• www.raileurope.co.uk
travel on a Sunday.”
• www.directferries.co.uk
• www.eurolines.co.uk
You are responsible for the cost of your own • www.britishairways.com
travel and any travel to and from your place of • www.easyjet.com
appointment during the year. Booking in • www.tui.co.uk/flight
advance for all forms of transport is highly • www.opodo.co.uk
recommended. Past assistants have warned to • www.expedia.co.uk
check the baggage allowance for outward and • www.ryanair.com
return journeys when travelling by plane as • www.interrail.eu
sometimes cheaper airlines have quite a low • www.iberia.com/gb
baggage allowance.
www.britishcouncil.org 9
4.4. TAKING A CAR ABROAD 4.5. TAKING PETS ABROAD
You will need to research the laws on driving in There are a variety of rules which assistants
Spain, including adapting your head lights for must follow to ensure that they are compliant
driving on the right. The website when taking pets abroad or returning them to
www.gov.uk/driving-abroad provides useful the UK. Please check the FCO and Spanish
information about motoring abroad. Government websites below for more
information. You may also wish to consider pet
If you plan to take a car to Spain for the period travel insurance to ensure that any pets are
of your assistantship, please ensure that you covered for emergency treatment whilst in
take out adequate insurance for the full period Spain.
and be aware that many insurance companies
will only insure you for periods of up to 90 days. • www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/pet-passport
Past assistants have advised looking into • www.mapama.gob.es/en/
insurance well in advance in order to have the • www.mapama.gob.es/es/ganaderia/legislaci
time to shop around for a suitable policy. All UK on/animales-compania-normativa-
motor insurance policies offer the minimum legal zoosanitaria.aspx
protection required by EU countries and
Switzerland. This gives third party cover for
4.6. GRADUATES WITH STUDENT
bodily injury or damage to property. The British
Council is unable to recommend specific LOANS
insurance companies.
If you will be overseas for more than 3 months,
Many insurers offer 24-hour UK telephone you will need to let Student Finance know.
numbers in case you need help in an Complete an Overseas Income Assessment Form
emergency. Make sure you have these details to enable the Student Loans Company to
with you when you travel abroad. calculate how much you need to repay. On the
Overseas Income Assessment Form you should
The website of the Association of British Insurers provide them with details of your circumstances
(www.abi.org.uk) has general information on and prospective income.
driving abroad, including useful information on
motor insurance cover and Green Cards. A Whilst in Spain the money you receive is
Green Card is an internationally recognised considered a monthly allowance or grant, rather
document that provides evidence that the than a salary. This means you are officially taking
policyholder has minimum insurance cover. part in a grant-funded mobility programme rather
than formal employment. Last year assistants
If you require information on driver licensing you who declared their language assistant role as
should contact: Drivers Customer Services formal employment rather than a grant-funded
Correspondence Team, DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL mobility programme faced challenges with the
(Tel: 0300 790 6801). Information on vehicle Student Loans Company, who requested copies
licensing or registration can be obtained from of employment contracts. Your Nombramiento is
Vehicle Customer Services (VCS), DVLA, a contract of enrolment in the programme, not an
Swansea, SA99 1AR (Tel: 0300 790 6802). There employment contract.
is also information on the DVLA website at
www.gov.uk/dvla. UK licences are recognised in You will be required to provide evidence of
all EU countries plus Switzerland, for as long as income or means of support. They will then send
they remain valid. you a repayment schedule showing how much
you need to pay each month. Your monthly
payments will be based upon the earnings
threshold for your destination country. More
information can be found online here. Please
note that the British Council cannot advise
further on Student Loans matters.
www.britishcouncil.org 10cause injury or property damage to others
4.7. INSURANCE
and are found personally liable
• 24-hour emergency assistance helpline
The British Council will not be responsible for
you while you are in Spain, although we will offer
Many policies also have legal expenses cover,
support when necessary. You are therefore
which is recommended in case you need legal
required to take out comprehensive insurance to
assistance while overseas.
cover you during your whole time abroad. We
recommend you research the various options
Further information on insurance is available on
available and consult other/former assistants
our website, including a link to our podcast
before purchasing a suitable policy. However,
episode on insurance. However, the British
any insurance you purchase should include
Council is unable to advise on private insurance
cover for emergency treatment and repatriation.
packages. You are recommended to consult an
Please note that it is unlikely that insurance
insurance broker for professional advice and to
companies will cover you in the event of a
check whether you are covered by your parents’
natural disaster or the outbreak of war.
or family’s insurance policy. Undergraduate
assistants may find that a "study abroad" policy
Whilst it may seem like an inconvenient cost at
purchased online is an option. Please be aware
this stage, it is highly recommended to take out
that some insurance policies, usually
appropriate insurance for your time abroad. You
‘backpackers’ insurance, do not allow for trips
will not be insured under the Spanish National
home during the year and it is important to
Health system because you will not be paying
check the small print of your policy to make sure
contributions from your monthly allowance.
that you are covered.
When choosing cover, please think carefully
about what you would like to happen in the
Personal Accident Travel policies are readily
event of sickness / accident / death. It is also
available on price comparison websites, or by
advised to discuss insurance options with
using a search engine to search for ‘travel
partners, family members or a close friend.
insurance’. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth
website offers additional advice on taking out
Insurance whilst in post Travel Insurance: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-
You are strongly recommended to take out insurance.
Personal Accident Travel insurance for the
period between leaving home and taking up Any package should cover medical expenses, air
your appointment, the time during your ambulance, repatriation, personal accident &
appointment, and also the period between civil liability, luggage & valuable items, and
ending your appointment and your return to the cancellation in extreme cases. Please note that
UK. This should include the following standard you should organise your insurance before you
elements of cover: leave the UK.
• Medical costs for treatment in case of illness It would also be wise to consider insuring your
(including Covid-19) or accidental injury personal possessions. You should check your
• Benefits for permanent disabling injuries, e.g. parents’ household insurance as this sometimes
rehabilitation and living costs covers possessions away from home.
• Benefits for death and costs of repatriation
• Cover for loss or damage to your personal Furthermore, cover for personal liability is often
belongings overlooked but it is extremely important. If you
• Cover for cancelled flights, e.g. if the airline were the cause of an accident of any kind – e.g.
goes out of business or on strike cycling on the road – the resulting costs,
• Personal Liability cover. This provides legal practical and legal, could be prohibitively high.
support and covers financial costs if you
www.britishcouncil.org 11Insurance for travel outside of Spain
5.1. EHIC CARD
“Remember that normally your health
insurance only covers you within your Please note: Until 31 December 2020, you can
host country during your allocated time use your UK-issued European Health Insurance
there, therefore if you travel outside Card (EHIC) in Spain. Once details have been
that country during or after that confirmed, you will receive further information
period, you may need additional about your access to healthcare in Spain after
insurance” (Former ELA in Spain) the end of the Brexit transition period.
Information on applying for an EHIC can be
Experience from previous language assistants found at the following link:
has told us that holidays provide the possibility www.gov.uk/european-health-insurance-card.
for travel around or outside of Spain. If you do You can also obtain an application form from the
leave Spain at any point, it is highly advised to Post Office. If you're planning to go abroad as
take out insurance for the country / countries part of your university degree, you can apply for
that you visit. a time limited student EHIC. More information is
available online here.
5. HEALTH AND WELLBEING The EHIC gives you access to medically
necessary, state-provided healthcare during a
Please see the Foreign Commonwealth Office temporary stay in Spain. When you show
website for more information regarding your EHIC, you will receive treatment under the
healthcare in Spain: www.gov.uk/healthcare-in- same conditions and at the same cost as people
spain. insured in Spain. There is a short video
explaining how to use the EHIC card in Spain and
There is also a short video highlighting the further information is available on the Healthcare
importance of thinking about healthcare before in Spain website. The EHIC will also be useful for
moving to Spain. any trips to other EU countries.
You will be able to use your EHIC card while in Residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel
Spain (full information below). However, it is Islands are not eligible for the European Health
highly recommended to take out appropriate Insurance Card. Residents of the Isle of Man
private insurance for your time abroad too. You need to take out fully-comprehensive insurance
will not be insured under the Spanish National (which should include repatriation by air
Health system because you will not be paying ambulance) before travelling to another country.
contributions from your monthly allowance. For Applicants from Guernsey should contact the
full information on insurance please see section Health and Social Services Department for
4.7 of this document. advice. Applicants from Jersey should contact
the Employment and Social Security Department
for advice.
www.britishcouncil.org 12You will need to take your National Insurance 5.3. MENTAL HEALTH
Number. Language assistants in Spain have
student status and the money you receive each Although working abroad can be enjoyable, it
month is referred to as a grant or beca, rather than can also be challenging. A lack of familiar
a salary. support systems, disrupted daily routines,
language barriers, culture shock, and
“A simple thing like carrying your EU unexpected situations can intensify stress levels
health card with you at all times. I was rather than alleviate them. We discuss this in our
away one weekend and sprained my podcast which suggests useful ways to manage
ankle and luckily had my health card with your wellbeing while abroad.
me but if not it could have caused some
complications.” Your mental health is just as important as your
physical health. It is advisable to read this
Be aware that each country’s healthcare system is information even if you are not currently
different. Services that cost you nothing at home suffering from mental health problems.
might not be free in Spain (for example,
prescriptions). The Foreign Commonwealth Office provides
information about mental health and travel via
Please note: the EHIC is not an alternative to travel the following link:
insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare
or costs such as a return flight to your home • www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-
country or lost/stolen property. Assistants are advice-for-people-with-mental-health-
therefore strongly advised to take out private issues
insurance before beginning their placement.
The leaflets hyperlinked below also contain
guidance on travelling abroad and mental health,
as well as information about how the Foreign &
5.2. MEDICATION Commonwealth Office (FCO) is able to assist
British nationals with mental health needs
If you take regular medication, please ensure abroad. The leaflets detail the type of assistance
that you have a supply before you leave. It is you may find in the country. They also explain
also important to find out where your nearest some of the differences between UK law and
doctor, dentist, and hospital are as soon as you practice and that of other countries.
arrive. You should ask your school for
information about the facilities in your area and Mental Health: Travelling Abroad
always advise staff and your landlord of any https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governm
medical conditions. ent/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi
le/466424/FCO_MentalHealth_DL_071015web.
“Bring medicines that are hard to get in
pdf
the place you're going to (e.g. your
specific contraceptive pill, branded
things like Day Nurse / your preferred Mental Health: Travelling Abroad Checklist
hay fever tablets - the brands I wanted www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upload
were unavailable)” (Former ELA in s/attachment_data/file/466425/Mental_Health_C
Spain) hecklist_-_Final.pdf
www.britishcouncil.org 136. ARRIVAL
6.1. INDUCTION MEETING 6.2. TRAVEL ONWARDS FROM THE
Induction courses are organised by the
INDUCTION COURSES
Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional
or the local education authorities at the If you do have a face to face induction day, we
comunidades autónomas. The induction you are recommend planning your onward journey from
invited to will depend on who your post is the induction course to your placement prior to
funded by. If you are unsure, please check to leaving the UK, as time during the induction
see which organization issued your course is limited. Please remember that we only
Nombramiento to you. pass on the following information. It is up to you
to carefully research and compare each
It is likely that induction courses will be held company before booking travel.
online this year, but this may vary from region to
region. Please follow any information and advice Buses
that is given from the Comunidad/Ministry about Different bus stations within Madrid cater for
your induction course, including their different parts of the country. A useful website is
instructions on how to confirm your place. If you www.alsa.es which offers a national coach
do not confirm your place before the date service where tickets can be purchased online in
stated, you may not be able to attend. Please do advance. If you create an account and are under
not send your confirmation to the British Council. 26 years old, you can also get a discount on
most ALSA bus bookings.
While these courses are not obligatory you are
strongly advised to attend. You will receive The bus company “Bilman Bus”
essential information regarding your (www.bilmanbus.es) operates within the regions
assistantship and also meet other language of Cantabria, País Vasco, La Rioja, Navarra,
assistants. If you choose not to attend the Aragon, Valencia, and Murcia.
briefing, you should inform the relevant contact
for your region’s induction course once you For long distance journeys please see
arrive in Spain so that arrangements can be www.movelia.es and www.avanzabus.com.
made for any important documents to be posted Former ELAs have also recommended
to you. www.damas-sa.es as a bus company in the South
of Spain. Other assistants have recommended
The Ministerio is not usually able to arrange www.tmb.cat for transport in Barcelona and the
separate courses for assistants in the Canarias, surrounding area.
Baleares, Ceuta or Melilla; however, you may be
invited to join another webinar. Please follow the
guidance you receive from the Ministry.
www.britishcouncil.org 14Trains Bla Bla Car
RENFE is the national railway company and runs Bla Bla Car is a website which offers car sharing
several types of trains, but fares and journey for people travelling throughout Spain –
times can vary: potentially a great way to affordably see more of
the country and practice your Spanish on the
• Cercanías provide regular services from journey. Please exercise caution when travelling
major cities to surrounding suburbs with people you don’t know.
• Regionales are trains that stop at all stations
• InterCity, Alvia, Euromed and AVE (high
speed) trains stop at most major cities
• Carnet joven: Invest in this young person’s
rail card equivalent for cheap rail fares
Booking train travel in advance online can also
sometimes be cheaper. Assistants in the past
have recommended bus travel over train as train
travel can be slow (with the exception of the
high-speed links, which usually cost more).
www.britishcouncil.org 157. SETTLING IN
“Stay positive through any adversity at induction course or before starting your job.
the beginning. It may be tough to Past assistants have emphasised the need to
initially adapt but it soon gets easier!” look for accommodation as early as possible.
The first weeks of your assistantship will be busy
as you will be finding your way around an
7.1. ACCOMMODATION unfamiliar town, dealing with bureaucracy, and
trying to make a good impression at school.
The British Council is not in a position to help to Remember that you will need your passport to
find nor to provide accommodation. Equally, check into hotels/hostels. Do not take out a
your school(s) are not obliged to provide or find contract on your accommodation until you know
you accommodation, but they may be able to the location of your schools.
offer you somewhere temporary to stay for the
first few days or weeks, thus giving you some
time to look for permanent accommodation. “I know of people who organised
You should, however, not assume that your accommodation without seeing it
school will do this and should discuss your before they arrived in their placement
arrival and initial accommodation arrangements country and sometimes it did fall
with them in advance. Please note that if your through - in one instance the flat didn't
school does offer you accommodation, you are even exist! Before you leave the UK I'd
not obliged to accept it but remember, if you do recommend you to book a week in a
accept it, you will have to abide by the school’s hostel (ideally before your placement
rules. starts) to give you time to view
accommodation and get used to the
“Be ready for anything and ask local area.”
people for advice - even if it's when you
arrive! Something will come up, and
don't be afraid to introduce yourself to Useful websites
people in cafes, schools, churches etc.
and ask for help, to pin up notices.” www.vibbo.com
www.idealista.es
www.fotocasa.es
It is advisable to book temporary www.lingobongo.com
accommodation before you arrive. Staying in a
local hostel or Airbnb will give you the
opportunity to get to know the area and go to
flat viewings before arranging permanent
accommodation. You can ask your mentor
teacher for advice on where to find
accommodation. They may know a local family
with a room to rent, or already have somewhere
in mind for you to stay. If your school cannot
help, there are some popular websites where
rooms and flats are advertised.
Consider going to your teaching location to
arrange accommodation in advance of the
www.britishcouncil.org 16Assistants in the past have had relatively few help you get back any deposit you may have to
problems finding suitable accommodation but be pay, which is usually dependent on the
prepared to spend about a week looking when accommodation being in the same condition as
you arrive. For this reason, you may wish to pre- when you first arrived. When you leave your
book a hostel or hotel before you arrive. Some accommodation, remember to cancel any
previous assistants recommend going out to personal contracts like internet or utilities.
your region a week earlier in order to find Ensure that you have checked health and safety
accommodation, get settled, and sort out any issues in your accommodation (temporary and
necessary administrative tasks. long term) such as fire alarms and exits, gas
leaks, electrics, water, etc.
Once you get to Spain the following suggestions
may be of interest: Assistants assigned to Madrid, Barcelona,
Málaga, Seville, or Mallorca who are looking for
• advertise on the school/staff notice board accommodation with Spanish families may find
and ask other teachers the following programme useful:
• buy the local newspapers early in the www.babelbridges.org/programme. Please note
morning and telephone likely numbers that the British Council is in no way
immediately recommending or endorsing this offer; we are
• ring the local university halls of residence or simply passing on the information. You should
check their flat share adverts and notices, or research the following before agreeing to
advertise on their notice board that you are anything:
looking for a room
• ask local friends'/acquaintances' landlords if • location;
they have any further accommodation to let • suitability; and
• accommodation agencies may be able to • contractual arrangements
help but you should be very wary of paying
large fees and deposits, and always read the When looking for accommodation please follow
small print in any leases or agreements to be the advice given in our Personal Safety leaflet.
signed; look for small agencies as often their When you have found somewhere to live, even if
fees are lower it has been arranged for you, do not live
• search for a room or flat on the internet anywhere or sign any agreement you are not
comfortable with and make sure that there is a
If you are living in a large town or city, you are period of notice written in the contract to avoid
likely to have to sign a contract. In case you problems should you decide to change your
decide to change your accommodation during accommodation during the year.
the year, you are advised not to sign a contract
for the duration of your contract unless there is It is recommended to include a ‘diplomatic
a notice period included in the contract. If you clause’ in the rental agreement to allow for a
are in a smaller town, landlords may not bother shorter notice period in the event that the rental
with contracts; however, we strongly agreement needs to be terminated prematurely
recommend that you ask for one. due to force majeure (including in the event of a
pandemic or a travel warning officially issued by
Assistants in Barcelona are advised that finding a government. This is advised particularly in light
accommodation can be difficult. They are of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
recommended to look at websites such as
www.resahousing.com for assistance. Please
make sure you are aware of notice periods for
moving out, or any fees you may need to pay
before you sign any agreement.
We recommend that you take photos of your
room and the flat when you move into your long-
term accommodation and when you leave to
www.britishcouncil.org 17exclusive sequential number for identification
7.2. REGISTRATION IN SPAIN – NIE
purposes. Without a NIE number the Spanish
(NÚMERO DE IDENTIDAD DE authorities will be unable to pay your ‘ayuda
mensual’ / ‘beca’.
EXTRANJERO)
“The process varies from region to
“The process to gain the legal region, so just stick to what you are told
documents varies greatly in Spain, from the officials and not what
what happens in one town will be totally somebody else has said in another part
different to another. If you are in a of the country.”
smaller town you may have to travel
the neighbouring larger town to obtain You can apply for the TIE at an immigration
such document, this is not always an office or local police station in Spain. Feedback
easy process, but don't worry once it's from previous assistants has highlighted the vast
done it's done.” differences in processes across Spain. Some
areas operate an on-the-day queue system,
Please note: It is very difficult for the British while other regions allow online appointment
Council to provide comprehensive advice as booking in advance. It is worth trying to research
every region / city has different processes this before departure or asking your school as
for obtaining the relevant registration there can sometimes be a wait for bookable
documents. We hope that the information appointments.
below can assist you to prepare somewhat
before departure to Spain; however, the You will have to pay the corresponding fee for
British Council are unable to advise further the TIE (usually around fifteen euros) and it is
on these processes and the local authorities highly likely that you will also need the following
in each region and/or your school(s) are (and potentially additional) items when applying.
best-placed to advise on the necessary You may wish to prepare some of these items
procedures specific to each area. before leaving the UK so that you have them
available should they be needed:
Assistants should also keep up to date with
the information provided on the Spanish • Passport and photocopies
Government’s website here. • Completed and signed EX-17 application
form, plus copies
• Three recent passport photos, in colour
with a white background
Language assistants from countries outside the • Document proving your appointment as a
European Union (including the UK) language assistant in Spain (e.g. your
Nombramiento issued by the
Assistants who hold a UK passport or another Ministerio/Comunidad)
non-EU passport will need to apply for the TIE on • Original and photocopy of visa, if applicable
arrival in Spain. TIE is an abbreviation for Tarjeta • Proof of payment of the corresponding fee
de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates as
Foreigner Identity Card. The TIE is the document
which proves that foreigners have obtained a Language assistants who hold an EU passport
residence permit or authorisation to stay in Spain (non-UK)
for more than six months.
On arrival in Spain, assistants from member
Your TIE card will include a unique number countries of the European Union will need to
known as the NIE, or Número de Identidad de apply for the Certificado de Registro de
Extranjero (Identification Number for Foreigners). Ciudadano de la Unión, or the EU Registration
Foreigners having a relation with Spain for Certificate. This Certificate includes your name,
economic, professional, or social interests are nationality, address, date of registration, and
required to obtain a personal, unique, and your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number). As
www.britishcouncil.org 18noted above, the NIE is the unique number that
7.3. CREATING SOCIAL NETWORKS
you will need to give to your bank in order to
open a Spanish bank account and receive your Even if you have been to Spain before it is
monthly stipend. possible that you will find some things strange at
first and will need a little time to settle in. On
You can apply for the EU Registration Certificate arrival, the thought of making friends and mixing
at the immigration office or police station in your with the locals can seem like a daunting task but,
assigned city or town. You must pay a fee as long as you are prepared to put yourself out
(usually around ten euros) and it is highly likely there, it is a part of the experience which
that you will need to submit the following (and previous assistants have found the most
perhaps additional) documents: enriching. Give yourself some time to adjust –
you don’t need to feel like a local within a week
• Passport and photocopies and in the beginning you will have a lot of
• Completed and signed EX-18 application administrative matters to deal with.
form, plus copies
• Three recent passport photos, in colour “Get involved with youth groups,
with a white background churches, local activities, sports, the
• Document proving your appointment as a gym etc. so that you're able to meet
language assistant in Spain (e.g. your locals as well as other ELAs doing
Nombramiento issued by the similar things to you. But try to target
Ministerio/Comunidad) locals rather than fellow English-
speakers, otherwise you could easily
get comfortable and stuck speaking
Guidance for all assistants English most of the time”
Aside from finding accommodation, one of the
first challenges you face when relocating to
Spain could be obtaining the above registration
documentation along with the NIE number you
need to open a bank account. We do advise that
you try to start the process of obtaining a NIE as
quickly as possible once you arrive in Spain.
Some assistants will find obtaining the NIE easier
than others; however, at all stages we advise you
to be proactive (don’t leave things until the last
minute), patient (things might not be processed
as quickly as you hope) and persistent (don’t
give up!).
“In Spain, persistence is key. The
catch-22 of needing an NIE to set up a
bank account and vice-versa was made
clear to me, but I found when I
explained my situation and pointed out
the difficulty of it, I could receive my
NIE without a bank account.”
www.britishcouncil.org 19Here are some other ways to meet people within Apart from your work in the classroom you may
the area: be able to attend other classes in subjects which
interest you. You will find that you become much
• Live with native speakers more integrated into school life and gain
• Attend language exchanges considerably more from your stay if you become
• Enrol for an evening class, join a sports involved in activities organised by the school,
club, music group, choir, etc. such as sports days, theatre or music
• Enquire about joining the local university productions or modern language societies. Go
and attending lectures to school ‘open days’ or parent evenings as
• Get involved in the local culture and join these are also a good way of meeting people. If
clubs that you can’t join in the UK; and you hear about something happening which
• Volunteer for a charity, society, festival, etc. interests you, ask if you can become involved.
Don’t wait to be invited as people may assume
Former assistants have recommended that you that you’re not interested.
don’t spend all your free time with other
assistants, as you will not be able to integrate “My fellow teachers at IES Canarias
into your community and life in Spain. On the have really gone above and beyond in
other hand, don’t feel that you must cut yourself making me feel welcome and showing
off from them – assistants can provide a very me around the island. They are truly
good support network for each other, as you making the experience as easy and
understand each other’s experiences. Don’t enjoyable as possible for me”
forget that there may be language assistants
from other countries in your area.
As a golden rule, try to say yes to every social Previous Assistants and Modern Language
opportunity presented to you that does not Assistants
compromise your personal safety. Accept
It is also a good idea to get in touch with other
invitations to places and activities even if they
people in the area before you leave. One useful
do not sound interesting as you might meet
way to do this is to ask your school if they can
other people there who do share your interests;
share the contact details of any of their former
however, at all times, please follow the advice
assistants. You may also wish to look for
given in our Personal Safety leaflet.
previous or future assistants in the many
unofficial Facebook groups online. Search
‘Auxiliares de Conversación (name of location)’.
Start at school
In the summer information pack, you will also
It is important to make a good impression on find a list of last year’s English Language
your colleagues at school. Be positive, Assistants in Spain who have consented to share
enthusiastic and willing to learn and help out their details with you. Later in the summer we will
where you can. You never know when you might also email you a map with the details of former
need help from your colleagues. Socialise as Modern Language Assistants who are now
much as you can with them as it can give you a returning home to Spain after their year working
bigger support network for the duration of your in the UK.
placement. It is also a great chance to improve
and practice your Spanish – they might also want
to practice their English with you, so help them
where you can. Tell people what your interests
are and ask them to let you know what’s going
on in the local area. Do keep in mind that
teachers can be very busy, especially during
exam periods.
www.britishcouncil.org 20You can also read
