I wish I could do it again...

I taught at an elementary school 45 minutes outside of Madrid from October-July 1,. I worked 4 days a week, Tues-Friday from 9 am-2 pm and got paid 1,000 euros a month. You get paid more in Madrid because it's more expensive to live there. I absolutely loved teaching those little Spanish kids. I taught english and science (it was really basic science) mostly to 1st grade and 5th grade. Sometimes I would prepare presentations, games, or some kind of fun learning activity, but I mostly taught things from the workbook. It was really simple and so rewarding.

My spanish is also terrible, but I got by with help from other assistants and some of the teachers who spoke english really well. I lived with my husband who was getting a Masters, but I think that if I had Spanish roommates I would have learned even more.
Don't compare yourself to the other assistants who know better Spanish...just have fun and keep practicing!

It can be really scary and stressful getting a bus pass, finding an apartment (use idealista.com) and opening up a bank account without knowing very much Spanish, but it's a good experience for you and it would always end up working out. I would suggest when you are doing anything that has to do with visas, to bring extra copies and a color copy of important documents. My black and white copy of my passport and marriage certificate weren't good enough. BUT, don't worry near all of the chinos (convenience stores) there are little internet cafes to make copies.

OH I loved Madrid, but If I could do it again I would go to Basque Country (Bilbao, San Sebastian), Granada, or Barcelona. I like to be closer to the coast and I love those places, especially Granada and San Sebastian. I wish I could go back so much. My heart aches, I miss it so much. It was a really great program and I think you should do it.