reAsons to teach abroad
(or not)
My
experience
Before embarking on the programme, I had some hesitations. This section will cover my unique experiences with some of the difficulties I've had and some great things too. If you're considering doing the programme, your hesitations may be different to mine, but check out some thoughts below to see if the programme will be right for you.
Good or bad factors, depending how you look at it!
Cultural differences are the big one. There's nothing more enriching than experiencing an entirely new way of life. Going on holiday to the Costa del Sol won't quite cut it.
No pasa nada
Spain's 'Hakuna Matata' if you will. Life slows down in Andalucía. I've found the laid-back culture is contagious and can be a great antidote to some stresses of UK life. If I seem a little flustered or am struggling with the language I'm often met with 'no pasa nada', which essentially means 'don't worry about it' or 'it doesn't matter'. It's not done in the sometimes insincere (but polite) way as it can be in the UK and US. If a Spaniard says 'no pasa nada', they genuinely mean it, don't stress.
Community
Need something fixed? Knowing one person in a small town means you are connected to pretty much everyone. When I had issues with my car, I expressed this to someone in a bar who instantly knew another person who could help. Two days later and my car is repaired. Everything here is communicated by word of mouth. Businesses rarely use marketing techniques that we're so used to seeing. People rely on recommendations from others. This does make it very hard to know what's what to start with. However putting effort into getting to know the community is a lifeline in case you come across any problems.
Tip! Join the town's Facebook group! It's a valuable, and often entertaining, resource.
No BS
This one is hard to get used to, at first. Andalucíans are pretty blunt in comparison to British people. If you're liked or disliked you'll soon know about it. Politeness is a staple of British communication so you'll stick out like a sore thumb if you're using please and thank yous as much as they're used in the UK. I haven't noticed much of the polite behaviour that the UK has become known for, people in Spain usually say it how it is, so at least you know where you stand. One bad thing about this is the customer service, pretty much everywhere in Spain. If someone doesn't like their job, you'll know about it. As a super self conscious person, I have to remind myself of the cultural differences if I feel like I'm a burden on restaurant staff.
Cultural differences
Good things!
Are you new to teaching?
Pretty much everyone who participates in the programme haven't taught before, as many are still in University. A seasoned teacher is not expected. This makes it a relatively easy transition as you adapt to a new life in a different country. The programme you're participating through should also provide you with some teaching resources and mini-courses if you wanted a head-start. Some teaching resources from the British council are available here.
Colleagues
Personally, I've had some great experiences with the teaching staff. Most of the bilingual teachers have had some experience living in an English-speaking country. So they understand some of the struggles that come with living abroad. It can be really great to talk some problems through with them. Also, every auxiliar is assigned a co-ordinator to help with general admin and living in a new town. Mine has been fantastic, however I know some co-ordinators can be a little more hands-off. If you do experience any problems with your co-ordinator then there's always someone above them who you're able to talk to about any concerns.
Travel
If you want to work abroad, then you're probably enticed by the opportunities to travel! You'll have sooo much free time in the role, if you're on top of lesson preparation. No matter where you are in the country, you can fill your time exploring your new area. If you have Fridays off of work, you can also check out some short breaks and spend a couple of days on the coast or in the cities. Check out my Travel Andalucía page if you happened to be placed near Prado. Also, you'll likely be in your new country during the off-peak tourist season. There are SO many travel deals during this time, especially through the likes of TUI etc.
Some not-so-great things...
But we'll find the silver lining anyway
Money
This really depends on your lifestyle. Auxiliares are awarded 700€ a month by the local Spanish council. It's considered to be a grant to cover living expenses. This can be higher if you're placed in a region like Madrid where the cost of living is generally higher. Unless you're an EU citizen or have the correct visa, you won't be able to legally work on the side. Some auxiliares do private tutoring which supplements their income.
Living in a small town like Prado del Rey is extremely affordable. I'm able to fund my living costs as well as some personal luxuries. Though not as many as when I was in a full-time role in the UK. The transition from earning £27k a year to about £600 a month can have its challenges. I now consider myself grateful for not being placed in a city like Seville, where apartment shares average at 500€/month.
This is the boring part, but is essential
for planning a
move abroad
Money
matters
Teaching
Some teachers may expect more, or less, from you than others. If you feel too much or too little is being asked of you then you can raise this with your co-ordinator. Start as you mean to go on! If you exhaust yourself setting the bar high in the beginning then you could be expected to keep this up. You can also be asked to teach subjects you're not familiar with (in English). I assist with some Biology and History subjects. In History I conduct about half of the lesson each session. I've learned a lot! But it can be awkward if you don't know something specific, especially about your own country's history.
What about my career?
If you're a graduate, maybe you've been thinking about your post-Uni career for a while. Being a language assistant doesn't require any specific expertise or knowledge, you just need to be a graduate or enrolled in a University course (and an english-speaker, obvs) . You may not feel you're using your full potential in a role like this, however, you could be in a role in the UK where you're also not being pushed to your best. I've found that it's great to look at the type of skills you can gain from living in a new country, even if these skills don't necessarily come from the job. Transferable skills are KEY in an ever-changing work environment. For most people, living in a new country is a step outside their comfort zone. This can teach you lots of valuable skills, such as resilience, organisation skills and adapting to change. As you will also have lots of free time, there's also opportunity to learn some new skills online, if you wanted to strengthen your CV for when you return to the UK.
Tip! Check out the NCS website and look at their skills assessment page, to really identify your strengths and see what you can develop while abroad.