Advice from an expert

My experience as am English language assistant has been great. I teach 12-hours a week at an Elementary School in Toledo, Spain. My coordinator at the school went out of his way to make sure my schedule allowed time for me to be able to pick up my daughter from school. I am always paid on time, even early at times. The students at my school are for the most part well-behaved, although overall behavior levels here are worse than in the USA.

I think my experinece has been a fairly common one, although I do know of people, like my wife, who have had less pleasant experiences at their schools. Issues I have heard about from other particpants range from problems with payments to rude and unhelpful coordinators to unrealistic expectations from the school.

My advice to anyone considering the program is that an intermediate level of Spanish is the minimum you need or else it will be quite difficult (perhaps manageable for the very determined). You need to bring at least $2000 with you for 1-2 months rent plus deposit, cell phone, internet and living money as you won't be paid until November 1st at the earliest. Unless you bring more than $2000 you will probably have to give private English classes (under the table) in order to have travel and spending money. This is a common way for participants to supplement their incomes because 700 euro doesn't go far. It is easy to find students by putting up signs at local universities, language schools and the school you teach at. Also there are websites to advertise on for free like tusclasesparticulares.com.

Lastly, take advantage that you are in Europe and travel! Ask your coordinator to set your schedule to doing your 12-hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so you have 4 day weekends in which to travel. Check out the following discount airlines to travel cheaply; Ryan Air, Vueling and Easy Jet.