FAQS 2021/22 LANGUAGE ASSISTANT PROGRAMS IN PRIVATE SPANISH SCHOOLS - "An experience that will challenge you, teach you, and change you" - Meddeas
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FAQS 2021/22
LANGUAGE ASSISTANT PROGRAMS IN PRIVATE SPANISH SCHOOLS
“An experience
that will challenge you,
SPANISH NO ALL GET teach you, and change you”
NOT FEES DEGREES PAID
REQUIRED WELCOMEAbout Meddeas
Meddeas is a Spanish organization that operates in Spain
and the United States that supports multilingual teaching
in more than 200 educational centers. It manages a
competitive, full-time internship program for native
English, German and French speakers that
includes teaching practice in Spanish schools
as a Language Assistant and additional
university TEFL training.
What is a
Meddeas
Language
Assistant?
Our participants are usually recent
graduates or young professionals
looking to improve their resume by acquiring
international work experience, for a variety of
reasons. They collaborate with a Spanish school
by delivering conversational activities to reduced
groups of children. They follow their school tutor’s
instruction while using their own initiative to prepare their
own engaging and fun activities or games in order to motivate
their students. This rewarding internship program requires full
time availability and a lot of energy!
1Why Meddeas?
Boost your resume and obtain international work experience
This international experience will be an impressive feat to list on your resume. Employers not only
understand the importance of life skills that can only be acquired from leaving the comfort of
your home country. Employers also appreciate the other transferable skills that you will
add to your resume: intercultural skills, cultural awareness, creativity, language skills,
teamwork, public speaking, patience, maturity and autonomy. If you want to pursue
a professional career in education, you will also have the chance to learn from a
different education system.
Further your education with a postgraduate university
course paid for by the program
The postgraduate university courses (24 ECTS) include modules on
classroom management, language teaching skills and resources for
English classrooms. Regardless if your plans include becoming a teacher
or pursuing another career, this course will endow you with knowledge and
practical tools that will help you make the most of this experience.
Experience Spanish language and culture
You will find yourself immersed in a welcoming culture, with plenty of opportunities to
travel and explore what this diverse country and its incredible heritage has to offer. Moreover,
this program will also allow you to learn Spanish in a native environment, a language spoken
in 22 countries around the world. You will have many opportunities to improve your Spanish,
but it will be up to you to take advantage of them. Please be aware that, for educational reasons,
participants are not allowed to speak Spanish to children at school!
To help participants make the most of this experience, we recommend they refresh their Spanish language skills before
traveling to Spain, if possible. Thanks to an agreement with Instituto Cervantes (the Spanish equivalent of the British Council)
Meddeas participants can access the renowned AVE Global online Spanish language courses. These courses include guidance
from a tutor at a very affordable cost. Availability varies depending on the dates and participation is optional. More details will be given
to successful candidates.
Why Spain?
• A language spoken by 450 million
people in the world
• Incomparable history and heritage, including
42 UNESCO World Cultural Sites
• World renowned museums
• Internationally recognized gastronomy
• Infinite variety of landscapes
• Extensive public transportation system
• Unique Festivals and traditions in each city
• Welcoming people and friendly culture
2Am I Eligible?
Native-level speaker of English (German or French)*
*Native French and German speakers should have at least a B2 level (CEFR) in English, as all
university courses are given in this language.
Education:
- A recent university graduate (as this is an internship program):
• Any three- and four- year undergraduate degree program (finished between 2017 and 2021, including those years)
• Any postgraduate degree related to Education or Linguistics (finished between 2017 and 2021, including those
years)
- A current undergraduate student from a partnering university that will earn credits through
this placement
- A student taking a gap year from university (or before going to university)
Personality:
- Self-motivated and proactive
- Collaborative and professional
- Resilient and open minded
- Adaptive and committed
Other requirements:
- No criminal records
- A valid passport (not needed to apply, but necessary to accept a placement).
Not required, but valued:
- Previous teaching experience or training
- Competence in the Spanish language
What program am I eligible for?
PROGRAM ADVANCED GRADUATE SPEAKERS
Degree in English or
Any degree OR
Education
undergraduate
REQUIREMENTS OR Any degree
students OR gap year
any degree + TEFL
students
Certificate(1)
GROUP SIZE Up to 15 students Up to 8 students Up to 3 students
MONTHLY €932 or €882 or €860(2) or
STIPEND Host Family + €482 Host Family + €432 Host Family + €332
(1)
You can apply and be accepted into the Advanced Program even if you do not hold a TEFL certificate yet. In
that case, you would need to complete a TEFL course before the beginning of the program. Completing a TEFL
accredited course will improve your prospects during the selection process, even when a TEFL certification is not
a requirement for the Graduate or the Speakers programs.
Monthly stipend examples are calculated for 20 in-class hours per week, except for the Speakers program with
(2)
independent accommodation. In this case, the minimum number of in-class hours is always 22 hours/week.
3Faqs about the Program
What does the school expect from me?
Schools understand that you have no or little teaching experience, but at the same time they expect a serious
commitment from you. They will expect you to be involved, to show motivation, professional conduct and
good interpersonal skills. You will need proactivity and initiative to plan and prepare your own activities.
One of the school’s teachers will be appointed as your tutor. You can ask them for advice when needed, but
you will be expected to plan lessons, activities and games on your own.
What does the online university course include?
You will be enrolled in a TEFL course depending on your experience and previous TEFL certification, if
any. The courses offered include an Expert in TEFL, an Expert in TEFL course focused on Early Childhood
learning and an Expert in AMET (Advanced Methodologies for English Teachers). Tuition is paid for by the
program and its completion is compulsory. It begins with a one-day-session in the Faculty of Education of
the Universidad Internacional de Cataluña (UIC) in Barcelona. After that, you will move to your destination
to complete the course online throughout the academic year. The university will recognize a portion of your
activity at the school as part of their academic training. In addition to those hours, you will have to dedicate
around 360 hours more throughout the year in order to complete the workload, with the support of forums
and a tutor. Course completion and evaluation will be based on the assessment of individual modules.
What happens if I do not show commitment to the program?
Language Assistants are expected to show initiative and commitment, as well as perform professionally. If the
program or the school consider that a participant shows a lack of professional behavior, they have the right to
cancel their participation and, if this occurs, the Language Assistant will lose their deposit and the program
will be legally obliged to cancel their visa (if applicable).
What happens if I leave the program before it ends?
Successful applicants pay a refundable deposit of €850 upon accepting of their placement, which is given
back after the successful completion of the program. Participants will lose the deposit if they are expelled
or don´t complete the program.
How long will I stay in Spain?
Our programs run from September/October to May/June and, alternatively, from January until June.
If at the end of the first academic year the school’s report is positive, you can apply for a second year as a
Meddeas Language Assistant, in the same school/program or in a different one.
What will my school be like?
Meddeas works with private and concertado (charter/grant maintained) schools only, and before accepting
a placement, participants will receive all the details: location, pupils’ age group, school’s characteristics and
expectations, etc. Once accepted, these details (program, hours, accommodation, etc.) are not subject to
change upon the Language Assistant’s request. The school may adapt the ages of the children participants
are placed with.
How many hours can I expect to be at school?
The school will set and/or adapt the Language Assistant’s timetable according to the school’s needs. You
will have between 20 and 24 in-class hours per week, but this does not mean that you will only be at
school only 20 to 24 hours per week. You may be expected to dedicate an additional 2 hours to coordination
meetings with other teachers, and may also have additional gaps between lessons. You can take advantage of
these gaps to prepare lessons and dedicate time to your online course. It is normal for Language Assistants
to be in their assigned school from 9am until 5pm, with a two-hour lunch break in the middle.
4Will I have holidays?
You will be entitled to the same holidays as the rest of the teaching staff. You will have a Christmas and
Easter break, local/regional holidays and some long weekends (puentes). You will have a set school
calendar and will not be allowed to take any days off outside the pre-established holidays. Trips and travel
arrangements should be made around your class schedule and your school calendar. If there are unforeseen
circumstances or special events, such as your graduation, that require you to take a day off, you will have to
make a request in advance to the school principal. Any unauthorized absences can result in the loss of your
student grant.
Will we take your interests into account?
When offering a placement to a successful candidate, we take into account their background and their
interests when possible. It is important to understand that being offered a placement matching 100%
of your interests is not likely.
Can I choose the city in which I want to be placed?
No, you cannot. Our Human Resources Team will match your profile with a specific school placement.
Interests such as the type of program, the age range you want to teach or the type of school in which you
prefer to teach will have priority. Nevertheless, we will take into account if you prefer to live in a large,
medium or small city.
Can I be placed with my friend or with my partner?
The HR Team places participants who apply together in different cities. The main reason for this is that
we must ensure that the program itself is the main reason you have applied. If one of your friends or your
partner has also applied, please, bear in mind that our policy is not to place the two of you in the same
town or even region, without exception.
Do I have to pay something to be accepted?
Not at all. There are no fees to participate in Meddeas. The grant includes the tuition cost of a postgraduate
course with the International University of Cataluña. However, you will be responsible for obtaining the
necessary documents to apply for a student visa (if applicable) and to participate in the program. In addition,
you will have to transfer the refundable deposit after accepting your placement as a proof of your commitment
to the program. This deposit will be given back at the end of the program, once you successfully complete
your placement and university course. See Funding the program section (pag.8).
How much money will I receive per month?
Your stipend/monthly grant will depend on your teaching hours per week (between 20 to 24) and on the
program in which you are placed (Advanced, Graduate or Speakers).
Will my stipend be enough to live comfortably in Spain?
Yes, your monthly stipend/grant will allow you to live as a young professional in Spain. It is enough to
pay your rent and cover all your expenses. However, you should take into account that larger cities (such
as Madrid, Barcelona or Bilbao) are more expensive than medium or small cities. In most Spanish cities,
monthly transportation cost around €25-35 and rent in a shared flat costs between €200-€400 per month.
Is medical insurance included?
You will have access to the Spanish Social Security system upon starting your placement and throughout
the program. The public administration will deduct a small amount from your monthly stipend (between
€8,5 and €10, approximately) in order to pay compulsory social security contributions in exchange for
nearly universal medical coverage. Non-EU passport holders: Although you will be covered by the Spanish
healthcare system, in order to obtain and keep your Student Visa, you will have to purchase an additional
private health insurance plan that covers you during your time in the program.
5Lodging Options
There are two lodging options: full board accommodation with a
host family or independently housing.
Host Family:
Living in Spain is a great way to practice the Spanish language
and staying with a Spanish host family will be the best way
to make the most of this unique experience. There are
many ‘typical Spanish’ family traditions that will help you
improve your Spanish, discover a new culture and most
likely, make friends for life.
While out of school, Language Assistants will spend
half of their time interacting in English, French, or
German with the family and the other half interacting in
Spanish. During the program, their host family will cover meals
and accommodation expenses.
“A huge part of my life here in Spain is, of course, the
family with whom I live. They are the people who keep me
well fed and provide a roof over my head, but they are also
my eyes and ears when exploring Spanish culture.”
Juliet R.
Former Language Assistant
click here
Independent Accomodation:
If you decide to live by yourself, we strongly recommend that you look
for an apartment located close to your school. It will be easier for
you to commute each day to the school instead of taking public
transportation every day from the city center. This is a fantastic
option for independent people or for those participants who
seek more independence.
Participants that live independently will be responsible
for finding an apartment, as Meddeas does not
offer accommodation. Meddeas will invite you to its
Facebook group, where you will have the opportunity to
chat with other Language Assistants who might be looking
for an apartment as well. In addition, our Welcome Team will
provide you with tips and links for finding an apartment in Spain.
Nevertheless, the negotiation of the apartment contract or the
deposit will be your own responsibility.
“Living independently, I learned how to organize myself,
prioritize tasks, and decide what was and wasn’t okay for
me in my home life. Moreover, you might get Spanish-speaking
roommates and be able to practice with them. My roommates were
all Spanish speakers from various countries and I loved it.”
Alexz C.
Former Language Assistant
6Funding the Program
Costs, Erasmus+ Funds & Deferring Student Loan Payments
The program itself will cost you no money. However, there are some things
which have a set and known cost you will have to pay for:
If you are not a EU citizen:
- Student visa application fees (US$160 or more)
- Translation of official documents for the visa application
- Apostille (around $8 per document. Express service via a Channeler: up to $200)
- Private health insurance (visa requirement)
All participants:
- Application for a Certificate of Absence of Police Records, RCMP Criminal Record Check
(CDN$ 25), Enhanced DBS (GBP62), FBI records (US$18. Express service via a Channeler: up
to US$65) or similar
- Travel expenses from/to your country
- Accommodation in Barcelona for the Induction Meeting (prices start at around €20/night in a
hostel’s shared room)
- Travel expenses from Barcelona to your destination
Loan deferment:
As Meddeas’ is a training program, you may be able to defer repayments of student
loans during the program.
Eligibility for deferment will depend on the requirements established by your own
company. Participants with a European passport who have studied at a European
university may also be eligible to apply for Erasmus+funds for up to 12 months
after their graduation. For specific requirements and to apply, please consult
with your university.
7The Process
If you are interested in becoming a Meddeas
Language Assistant, you can apply at www.
meddeas.com or by sending an email
to candidates@meddeas.es including
your resume/CV. If you are eligible to join
Apply through our programs, we will contact you and
candidates@meddeas.es or schedule a first Skype interview. We will
www.meddeas.com
contact your references as well. If you pass
the first stage of the recruitment process,
you will be invited to have a second Skype
interview with our HR Team.
We will take into consideration your
interests, if possible, but Meddeas will not
be committed to offer a placement that
matches all of them. If you successfully
complete the second stage, you will receive
1st Skype Interview Pre-travel Preparation
a placement offer. You will be asked to sign
an agreement with Meddeas and transfer
the refundable deposit to reserve your
placement, you will then be able to start
your visa application process (if applicable)
with the guidance of our welcome team.
2nd Skype Interview Visa Process
with the HR Team
Placement Offered to Agreement and
Successful Candidates Deposit Payment
8Want to Know More?
Check our blog and social networks to stay tunned.
@meddeaslanguageassistants
meddeas www.meddeas.com/blogYou can also read
