Spain is well known to have a vast variety of sights to see, stretching from the country of stone castles, snowcapped mountains, monuments, and sophisticated cities. The Spaniards know it is very important to have a good work and life balance. They have an expression “Mañana Mañana” literally means “tomorrow tomorrow” stating that everything will work out perfectly and there is no need to worry.
If you’re a native English speaker who is interested in sharing your country’s culture and language with others, while at the same time gaining practical experience as a teacher, this cultural exchange programme could be the right fit for you. You will work as an assistant English teacher in Maresme, a laidback area just 30 km from Barcelona on the Mediterranean coast. It’s an ideal environment for meeting local people and enjoying the pleasant climate and breathtaking beauty of coastal Catalonia.
This program is specially designed to allow you to gain international work experience and to learn more about the Spanish culture. You will be placed in a local school to assist a teacher in his/her duties. The transfer of knowledge and culture will flow both ways, as you will speak in English with the teacher and students. You will also have the chance to speak to other people in the school in Spanish and your day-to-day life in the city will be conducted in Spanish. You will also be able to practice in your free time and take part in the daily life of Maresme, going to local markets, shops and cafés. This is without a doubt an atmosphere that lends itself to mixing it up with the locals and meeting new people!
As this is an exchange programme, you will be expected to act responsibly and adapt to the local culture. In the classroom, you may be asked to help the teacher in preparing lessons and carrying out activities. Your main task will be to assist the children during conversation classes aimed at improving their fluency in English. You will also help them when they have exams or simply speak to the class.
To participate in this programme, you may be either a university student or a university graduate. A strong interest in learning, teaching and experiencing other languages and cultures is essential. You must be ready to make an active effort to integrate into the lifestyle and habits of your host family.
The program will include a placement, accommodation, visa assistance and ongoing support from our committed Spanish partner organization.
Placement will be for 3 months. Start times in January, March and October. You will be placed in the beautiful city of Mataró, and villages around. It is approximately 30km away from Barcelona. Mataró is the capital of the Maresme region, it’s a vibrant city, in constant transformation and with a rich cultural heritage which endows it with a personality of its own. Its privileged geographic situation - with the sea on one side and a coastal mountain range on the other - makes the climatic conditions of Mataró ideal for enjoying the city.
As the saying goes: "Life is 5% what happens to you, and 95% how you react to it."
Enrollment R3 000
Program fee R14 000
Visa Fee €99 (approx. R1 500)
Travel insurance R3 500
Return flight Approx. R10 000