North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain

North American Language and

Culture Assistants in Spain

MANUAL:
APPLICATION PROCESS TO BECOME A
LANGUAGE ASSISTANT IN SPAIN



FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2013-2014
North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3
1.1 A quick note about PROFEX................................................................................... 3
1.2 Eligibility: Who may participate? ............................................................................. 3
1.3 Important material to submit your application .......................................................... 4
1.4 Steps in the application ........................................................................................... 4
1.5 Required documents ............................................................................................... 6
1.6 Working conditions ................................................................................................. 9
1.7 Expectations ........................................................................................................... 9
1.8 Compensation and benefits .................................................................................... 9
1.9 Duration .................................................................................................................10
1.10 Application period ..................................................................................................10
1.11 Withdrawals ...........................................................................................................11
2 Registration and application process ................................................................. 12
2.1 Online registration and application instructions ......................................................12
2.2 Hard copy documentation: WHERE TO MAIL YOUR PAPERWORK .....................12
2.3 PROFEX Support ..................................................................................................14
2.4 Assignment Process ..............................................................................................14
2.5 What does it mean to be admitida? .....................................................................15
2.6 Regional placement process ..................................................................................16
2.7 What to do after receiving an assignment ..............................................................16
2.8 How to accept on PROFEX....................................................................................16
2.9 Patience: Waiting for the acceptance or nombramiento letter ..............................17
3 Arrival in Spain ................................................................................................. 18
3.1 Once in Spain: NIE and Residence Card (TIE) ......................................................18
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4 Preparing for your departure and tips for settling down in Spain ......................... 21
4.1 Ideas and suggestions to prepare for your adventure ............................................21
4.2 Practical ideas .......................................................................................................23
4.3 Accommodation .....................................................................................................23
4.4 Services .................................................................................................................23
4.5 Community / Government ......................................................................................24
4.6 Medical insurance ..................................................................................................24
4.7 Testimonials from previous Auxiliares ....................................................................24
5 Annex 1: Glossary of Terms: PROFEX terminology ........................................... 25
6 Annex 2: MOU for participants from the State of New York ................................. 26
7 Annex 3: Map of Spain ..................................................................................... 27














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1 Introduction
The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program is an academic
continuing education grant provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain.
Thanks to this program, a large number of American and Canadian participants have the
opportunity to serve as language assistants in the Spanish public school system every year,
becoming teacher aides and English or French language models, as well as ambassadors to
their countries in the schools where they are assigned. The program, though fairly young, has
been gaining popularity quickly with more and more demand for such a wonderful experience.
Please, take some time to read this manual carefully and in detail. Here you will find the
answer to all your questions and most of the problems you will run into as you move along in
this process. Revisiting the different sections a number of times will help you understand the
process and the necessary steps much better. Do take your time to understand the procedures
and the different components. We appreciate your effort and time.
1.1 A quick note about PROFEX
PROFEX is the program used by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport to
manage the applications of all its international programs. Consequently, you may find sections
and information that might not be relevant to you and to this programs applicants.
Please, complete only the Curriculum part, which is common to all programs. Then,
proceed to the specific section that can be found under Auxiliares de Conversacin, which is
your program of interest, but only when the application period is open (January 10
th
to April 2
nd
).
Submitting your application before will invalidate your application.
USE A PC AND INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSER FOR A SMOOTHER PROCESS
1.2 Eligibility: Who may participate?
Candidates MUST hold a U.S.A. or Canadian passport.
The candidate MUST be a native or bilingual speaker of English or French.
The candidate will hold a minimum of a BA or BS by the end of the academic
year preceding the start of the program, be a junior or a senior, or have become
a university graduate.
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Candidates MUST be in good physical and psychological condition. It will be
necessary to present a complete physical evaluation signed by your doctor when
it is time to apply for your visa.
Candidates MUST submit a background check that proves the lack of criminal
records when it is time to apply for your visa.
Candidates should have an intermediate level knowledge of Spanish.
The average age of a participant is 21-35, as long as they meet the requirements listed
above. Candidates over 35 are subject to the discretion of the regional education authorities,
depending on the regions needs at that time.
We ask for an open-minded, flexible attitude as the participants are language
ASSISTANTS in the classroom, regardless of their previous experience in the field.
1.3 Important material to submit your application
a. This APPLICATION MANUAL
b. Checklist (download now)
c. Guidelines for the letter of recommendation (download now)
d. .pdf form that PROFEX will generate automatically when you submit all your
documents to PROFEX
1.4 Steps in the application
Step 1
Read this APPLICATION MANUAL completely. Make sure you understand THE WHOLE
PROCESS and that you revisit those areas that need extra attention.
a. MAKE SURE YOU MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS (see above 1.2)
b. Learn who will be your contact person (USA/Canada Regional Education
Advisor; Comunidad Autnoma, or Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport
(Hard copy documentation: WHERE TO MAIL YOUR PAPERWORK). You will
send the necessary documents to this person.
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c. Read the checklist and familiarize yourself with all the documents you will
need in order to submit your application. GATHER ALL OF THEM.
Step 2
Go through the PROFEX MANUAL, which will be posted on the website as we are closer
to the opening of the application period.
d. Register (if you are a new candidate or a CIEE), fill out the application and
upload documents to their corresponding area. Please, remember that the
Letter of Recommendation can be submitted through different channels.
e. Print out the form generated by PROFEX. Date and sign.
f. Print out the checklist . Initialize the areas. Date and sign.

Step 3
Now mail your form and your checklist to your regional education advisor.
Please, remember that the Letter of Recommendation can be submitted through
different channels. See page 7.
As soon as we receive your form and your checklist , your application will appear
as registrada in PROFEX.
o DID YOU UPLOAD ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO PROFEX?
o DID YOU SHARE THE GUIDELINES FOR THE LETTER OF
RECOMMENDATION WITH THE AUTHOR OF YOUR LETTER?
Make sure you highlight the name of your contact person / Regional
Education Advisor for him/her.
o DID YOU PRINT OUT, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM GENERATED
BY PROFEX?
o DID YOU PRINT OUT, INITIALIZE AND SIGN THE CHECKLIST ?
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We will review everything soon. Once everything is checked, if it is all correct and valid,
it will show as admitida. You will then qualify to receive an assignment.
We are very excited to see such an interest in the program! At the schools in Spain,
there is a great expectation for your arrival. However, each candidate is responsible for making
sure that the application is completed correctly. Note that we have thousands of applicants. We
appreciate your support to the program & your dedication to complete all parts of the
application!

Information regarding the visa application process will be posted on the website towards
the end of April/beginning of May.
1.5 Required documents

1.5.1 Hard copies (To be mailed)
1. The form printout, signed and dated, available to you after you submit your application
and upload your documents online (See PROFEX MANUAL on our Web page).

2. Checklist with all items initialized, signed and dated.
o PROFEX WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS OR CHANGES AFTER
APRIL 2
nd

o NO CHECKLIST AND FORM PRINTOUT CAN BE MAILED
AFTER APRIL 2
nd

o DOCUMENTS RECEIVED AFTER APRIL 10
TH
WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED.

Documents received or submitted before the opening of the call for applicants will
invalidate the application.
YOU MAY PRINT OUT YOUR CHECKLIST RIGHT NOW
IMPORTANT: Your signature is required. Without it, your application will not be
considered.
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3. If you live in the state of New York, you will have to submit the document included in
Annex 2: MOU for participants from the State of New York .
1.5.2 Documents to be uploaded in the corresponding sections in PROFEX
4. A copy of the photo and information page of your valid US or Canadian passport.
5. A college transcript OR a copy of your college diploma.
Note: for the purpose of the program, the Spanish Ministry of Education does not require
that the official transcripts be sent to us on a sealed envelope from your college or
university. You will need to upload the document to PROFEX.
6. A one page statement of purpose for participation in the program in either English,
Spanish, or French (for Canadian applicants) addressed to the person responsible for the
office you will be sending your required documents to (See list of Regional Education
Advisors). Please, specify in the letter that you are a native or bilingual speaker of English.
7. If you happen to be a European Union citizen, you already have a residence card (TIE), or
you suffer from any medical condition, a medical certificate or physical evaluation needs to
be uploaded. It needs to be issued by your doctor. This needs to be on the doctors
letterhead, standard sized paper, verifying you are free of drug addiction, mental illness
and any disease that could cause serious repercussions to public health, according to the
specifications of the International Sanitary Regulation of 2005.
8. A letter of recommendation , in English, Spanish or French (for Canadian applicants),
up to 250 words, written and signed by any current or former professor. If you have been
out of school for over five years, you can receive this letter from your supervisor at work.
We have created a letter guidelines document, which you will be able to find as an
annex to this document. Please, share the model with the person who will write the letter
for you.
Note: FOR the purpose of the program, the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and
Sport does not require that the author of this letter send the document to us on a sealed
envelope. If the person feels comfortable giving that letter to you, upload it to PROFEX
directly, which will help us process your application faster. We encourage you to choose
this alternative.
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There are a number of options for the letter:
o Option A. If the author would like to submit the letter to us directly, preferably by
email, you need to indicate the name of the person who is sending the letter in
the checklist . Ultimately, you are responsible for making sure that the letter
gets to the Regional Education Advisor during the application period, not before
or after. No application will be considered unless the letter of recommendation is
received according to this rule.
o Option B. If the author gives you the letter on a sealed envelope, you need to
mail it to your Regional Education Advisor along with the printout and the
checklist .
o Option C. If you have open access to the letter, you may also upload the letter
directly onto PROFEX and do not need to send the document by regular mail.
In any case, the letter must be on letterhead, it must be signed by the author and it
must contain the authors contact information.
Please, share with the author of your letter the document GUIDELINES FOR
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.

Please avoid writing to the Regional Education Advisors just to check if they have
received your hard copies. Bear in mind that those candidates who have sent
the hard copies correctly will get an email from PROFEX informing them that
their application is in the status of Registrada. When all documents have been
reviewed, your application status will change to Admitida.
Please, check your status regularly on PROFEX.

Please, send: 1) the signed form printout, 2) your initialized checklist , and 3) your
letter of recommendation, only if you couldnt get it on PROFEX, and only after you have
uploaded all your mandatory documents and submitted your application on line.
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1.6 Working conditions
Language and Culture Assistants teach between 12 to 16 class periods a week at their
assigned school. Programs/schedules will be determined by the program coordinator at the
assigned school. You might be the only assistant in your school, but there may be multiple
participants assigned to the same school; you may even be split between two different schools.
No matter what your assignment is, you will have plenty of time to enjoy this opportunity
beyond your school setting.
1.7 Expectations
You are expected to be on time for your classes and commitments every day. You are
expected to be flexible and to have a positive attitude. Although this is an academic grant, it is to
be taken seriously and regarded as a job. You may be removed from the position due to
disciplinary or performance. A good job and performance will allow you to receive a positive
reference letter for the future, and of course you will make the most out of your experience. You
are encouraged to be conscientious and aware of the standards and rules set forth by the
program and your school.
1.8 Compensation and benefits
You will receive a minimum monthly stipend of 700 net.
You will be provided general health insurance by your region covering basic needs,
emergencies and repatriation. You will be responsible for paying for any prescriptions.
You are part of a unique and enriching experience in Spain! Many people opt to renew
the grant for a second year. However, this extra year is only possible if the candidate
receives a positive evaluation at their school.
You will receive professional development and training at the beginning of your
You MUST submit original and official documents listed #1-8 in person upon arrival in Spain.
You are responsible for submitting all your paperwork at the same time and in fashion. We
appreciate your diligence, effort and dedication to do so as efficiently and neatly as possible.
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assignment and during the school year.
At the end of the program you will receive a certificate of completion for your services
rendered that may count as credits or continuing education units/credits.
You will have gained experience, new friends, improved your knowledge of Spanish, and
positively represented your home country.
1.9 Duration
The program generally lasts 8 months, from October 1
st
through May 31
st
. Participants
may opt to renew for a second year only. However, this second year is only possible if the
candidate is issued a positive evaluation by their school representative. Those wanting to
participate for a third year will not be given any type of priority.
Before starting your assistantship, you may need to attend the orientation scheduled for
your particular region in Spain (Comunidad Autnoma). Available dates and venues will be
announced on our website.
1.10 Application period
The application period runs from January 10th until April 2
nd
, 2013. Applicants must send
their hard copy documents to their corresponding office. (See section #2)



Please, be aware, although your application will be processed when received, you may
not receive notice about a regional placement or waitlist status right away. We will email you
information regarding application updates, placements and wait list status via mass emails from
PROFEX.

The deadline for receiving hard copy documents at your corresponding office is April
10th 2013. Please send your hard copies immediately after you submit your online
application. Documents will not be accepted after April 10
th
.

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Candidates applying for a second year in the program (excluding CIEE
participants) should send their documents to their regional coordinator in Spain if
they wish to remain in the same region. Please, do not send any documents to
your US Regional Advisor if that is your case.
Candidates who renew the grant & wish to change regions should send their
documents to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport in Madrid. Contact
your regional coordinators in Spain and your Comunidad Autnoma for further
details.
1.11 Withdrawals
Candidates MUST accept or decline an offer within five days of receiving the placement
notification email from PROFEX. If you choose to decline the offer, you will not be considered
for any other placement for that school year. You may, however, reapply for the next academic
year.
Those candidates who fail to accept or decline in the specified time will be
automatically withdrawn by PROFEX and WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY
ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR.
Candidates cannot decline an offer once the placement is firm, which implies
they WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE PROCESS FOR FUTURE EDITIONS
However, if you are going to withdraw, you are to inform the program
coordinators by sending an email to renuncias.auxnort@mecd.es
Please, inform us as soon as possible so that somebody else can enjoy take that
assignment and enjoy the opportunity.
Please make sure to check your spam folder as these emails often get caught
there and mark the PROFEX mailer as a safe sender.

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2 Registration and application process
2.1 Online registration and application instructions
How to register: Please See PROFEX MANUAL on our webpage for a complete, step by
step, visual guide.
2.2 Hard copy documentation: WHERE TO MAIL YOUR PAPERWORK
a. Renewal candidates should consult with their regional coordinators in Spain (see
contacts on our website). Paperwork will go to your regional office in Spain (for those assistants
who remain in the same region), or to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (for those
who want to switch regions:








Please DO not send renewal paperwork to any U.S. or Canadian office
b. CIEE candidates willing to stay a second year are considered first time applicants for
the program and must send their documents to their corresponding office in the U.S. or Canada
(See 2.2 c New Candidates)
c. New candidates from the following States, please submit your documents to:
If you applied last year, you may use your PROFEX account, which you should update,
but you need to submit a new application and send in all the required documents again.
auxiliares.extra@mecd.es
Postal address:
Programa de Auxiliares de Conversacin Extracomunitarios
Subdireccin Gral. de Promocin Exterior Educativa
Ministerio de Educacin, Cultura y Deporte
Paseo del Prado, 28, 5 planta, Madrid 28014



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Applicants from: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington State, Wyoming
Send to: Ms. Carmen Fernndez cer.losangeles@mecd.es
Centro Espaol de Recursos
Los ngeles University of Southern California
Spanish Resource Centre at USC
3375 S. Hoover Street, suite F204
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0031
Phone: 213 740 5896 Fax: 213 821 2304
Applicants from: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, ,Ohio ,South Dakota, Wisconsin
Send to: Mr. Jorge Bern jorge.berne@mecd.es
Education Office Illinois State Board of Education
100 West Randolph St. Ste. 14-300
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel.: 312-814-5696 Fax:312-814-8636
Applicants from: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina,Tennessee, Texas,
Send to: Mr. Juan Jos Cogolludo jjose.cogolludo@mecd.es
Education Office
Consulate General of Spain in Miami
2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1000
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel. 305-448-2146 Fax 305-445-0508
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Applicants from: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, D.C. , and West
Virginia
Send to: Ms. Carmen de Pablos mcarmen.depablos@mecd.es
Education Office
Embassy of Spain
2375 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20037-1710
Tel. 202-728-2335 Fax 202-728-2313

Applicants from Canada and US applicants from: Maine, New Hampshire,
New York, North Dakota, and Vermont
Send to: Mr. David Gonzlez david.gonzalez@mecd.es
Education Office
Embassy of Spain
74 Stanley Avenue, Suite #122
Ottawa, ON K1M 1P4
CANADA
Tel. 613-741-8399 Fax. 613-741-6901

2.3 PROFEX Support

2.4 Assignment Process
Once each application is submitted/inscrita online, it is given an application number (eg
12_1AX000423). Assingments are given on a first-come, first-served basis according to
PROFEX support: PROFEX.soporte@mecd.es


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this application number, as long as the application shows as admitida.
Applicants are only granted an assignment once all documents are uploaded, submitted,
and verified; the status, then, becomes admitida.
In the event of an early position assignment and before the application period closes,
candidates on an admitida status will be the first ones to receive an assignment. We
anticipate starting giving assignments in late February for School year 2013-2014.
Every effort is made to give you one of your regional preferences or at least a border
region to one of those preferences. Should you be unwilling to go to your assigned
region someone on the waiting list will be happy to take your place.
No change in your region preference order will be granted after you have submitted your
application.
Please realize that you may only express your preference for a region and YOU MAY
NOT FOR A CITY. The regional education authorities (eg: Junta de Andaluca, Junta de
Castilla La Mancha, Comunidad de Madrid ) will assign you a city and a school after
you have accepted the regional placement offer (research a map with the Spanish
Autonomous Regions before preference one of them).
If you are submitting an application together with a family member or significant other,
please make sure you are applying at the same time, you all express your preference for
the same region and you include a note in your hardcopy packet explaining your choice.

2.5 What does it mean to be admitida?
There are several different statuses that you may have during the application and
admission process as well as some uncommon vocabulary used on PROFEX (see Annex 1:
Glossary of Terms: PROFEX terminology at the end of this manual). The admitida status
seems to be the most confusing. Admitida means that your application has been received,
reviewed, and it contains all required documents. You completed the process and you are
ready to receive an assignment.
This status makes you eligible (but not selected) to receive a regional placement.
However, please note that if you are admitida you may not receive a placement depending on
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your application number (see above). For example if there are 500 spots but you are
application number 502 with admitida status you will be waitlisted.
2.6 Regional placement process
Positions are typically assigned in late April, on a first come, first served basis, according
to application numbers that also have admitida status. Not everyone may receive their first
choice. Our priority is assigning ALL placements that have been requested in Spain. This year
we anticipate an early position assignment process in late February, we encourage candidates
to upload & submit all documents the sooner, the better. There will be another assignment
process after the application period ends.
2.7 What to do after receiving an assignment
ACCEPT! Accepting your placement on PROFEX gets the ball rolling for the whole
process. You have also the option to decline the offer on PROFEX. You have five natural days.
If you fail to accept or decline within this time, your application will be dismissed. See section
1.10.



2.8 How to accept on PROFEX
Log in to your account.
Click on Acceso. On the left hand menu click Auxiliares de Conversacin.
Then click on Gestin solicitudes.
Click on Aceptacin y renuncia candidatos.
On the drop down menu make sure to select Auxiliares extranjeros en
Espaa 2013.
Then click buscar. Your name should appear with an option to accept:
Aceptacin.
Please accept or decline the assignment within five natural days of receiving the
notification email from the PROFEX system
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2.9 Patience: Waiting for the acceptance or nombramiento letter
Each region sends the acceptance letters for their corresponding assistants. It
takes time. If your letter is exceptionally late, please contact your regional coordinator in Spain.
This letter is extremely important as it details key information (health insurance, stipend, city and
school information) required for your visa application, WHICH IS YOUR NEXT STEP.
Some regions are very timely when it comes to mailing the acceptance letters, some
others may not. Please be patient. As long as you accept on PROFEX and keep open
communications with your region, you will make your way to Spain.
For contact information for each Autonomous Region /Comunidad Autnoma, check the
contact list on our website or ask your regional coordinator in Spain.
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3 Arrival in Spain



3.1 Once in Spain: NIE and Residence Card (TIE)
www.mir.es, www.policia.es
Under the current regulations you will need a visa to enter Spain. Two types of Student
Visas are available within the European Schengen member countries.
1. Long-Term Student Visa for extended stays (LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS): Most
participants qualify for this type of student visa. This visa is active and valid for 3
months. This visa serves as an authorization for your first entry into the country. Within
the first 30 days after first entering the country the holder of the visa must apply for a NIE
(Nmero de identificacin de extranjeros), and a Temporary Residence Card for
Foreigners (TIE). These are two individual processes resulting in two individual
documents, which are processed in the Police Office for Foreign Aliens (Oficina de
Extranjera). The residence card (TIE) should be valid for the remainder of the duration
of the program (May 31 or whichever date is specified in the acceptance letter). Once in
Spain, your regional coordinator will be able to answer a lot of these questions.
2. Student visa for short stays (UP TO 6 MONTHS): This visa is valid for 6 months. This
type of visa is being granted to participants who are planning to join the program in the
second semester beginning in late January. This visa does not give the holder rights to
a residence card nor may it be renewed or extended. However, it should be noted that a
holder of a short stay visa is still REQUIRED to obtain a NIE number in order to be paid
For Consular jurisdiction, visa application and visa instructions regarding your visa
application, the most updated information will be posted on the website at the end of
March.

IF YOU HOLD AN EU PASSPORT on top of your US or Canadian passport,
you DO NOT NEED A VISA.

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and make any other fiscal transactions.
The Embassies of the USA and Canada in Spain do not have anything to do with any of the
aforementioned processes nor does the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports in
Spain, the USA, or Canada.
Visa application is a consular matter. Consulates General of Spain in the US or Canada are
in charge of these processes.
Once in Spain with a visa, assistants must go to their nearest Office for Foreign Aliens
(Oficina de Extranjera) and initiate the necessary processes to apply for a NIE and a
Temporary Residence Card (TIE). If the student visa is allowed to expire and the NIE and
Residence Card have not been applied for yet, assistants may have problems to justify their
legal status in Spain.




To clarify any doubts about the difference between NIE, Residence Card (TIE), and
Visa:
Visa: an official authorization to enter the country for a specific purpose.
This information is for the North American participants in the program (holding a
US or Canadian passport); those with a European Union passport may be
subject to different conditions. For example, those with a passport from the EU
will have an NIE for fiscal transactions but will not have a residence card as by
EU agreement they have the right to move, reside and work freely.

NIE is an official fiscal number given to the applicant whether the person has a
visa or not. By itself it only serves as a means to open a bank account or to
make a financial transaction, among others. It is on an A-4 sheet that certifies
that the holder has been issued the corresponding NIE number and that in no
form or fashion does it serve as official identification nor permission for
Once a NIE is obtained the assistant should send a copy of this information to the
regional coordinator in Spain so that he/she may enter the information in the system in
order to receive the monthly stipend.
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residence.
Temporary Residence Card for Foreigners (TIE): The residence card has the
NIE number on the front and on the back the educational institution that the
holder belongs to. In order to obtain the residence card one must present their
visa and any other required supplemental documentation such as the original
letter of acceptance from the assigned region. One must do this within the first
30 days after arriving in Spain. If for whatever reason a participant changes
schools they must obtain a new residence card so that it reflects this change.
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4 Preparing for your departure and tips for settling down in Spain
4.1 Ideas and suggestions to prepare for your adventure
Top 10 Tips

1. Bring an open-minded attitude with you (and keep it handy). During your stay
with us, you will become familiar with daily life in Spain, you will learn how
Spanish schools operate and gain teaching experience.
2. Jot down the basic questions you have in mind about this position so they are
answered as soon as possible. Some examples could be:
How large is the school?
How old are the students?
What subjects are bilingual?
What is the schools geographical and social and cultural
environment?
Does the school have a partner school in my country?
Does the school have a website?
Which airport / train station is closest?
What are the possibilities for affordable accommodation?
Who should I contact when I arrive?
Can you provide me with name, email of the previous language
assistant?
3. Get to know some previous language assistants who worked in the same
school, area, region, etc.
4. Get to know your future school and town in advance. Search their web for
information on projects, studies, etc.
5. Get to know some other language assistants coming to Spain or your region
(share your anxiety and/or expectations).
6. Bring some basic information about your hometown, city, area, region, etc. (be
the best ambassador!):
Visuals: pictures of family, friends, house, city or town, university
Maps, brochures
Postcards, posters, signs
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Menus, recipes, games
Paper money and coins
Written press:
National and local press, weather reports, cooking recipes,
horoscopes
Magazines for children and teens, comic strips, picture books
Advertising flyers, student newspapers and magazines, sports
books
Programs for live concerts or plays
Audio:
A selection of podcasts and recordings of poems, nursery
rhymes, stories and songs
Radio commercials
Book readings
Karaoke versions
Audiovisual (be aware of different zone or systems):
Excerpts from TV newscasts
Video clips, TV commercials, weather reports
Websites about your area
Finally, dont hesitate to bring documents related to your own
interests, hobbies or area of university studies which you might want
to share with your students
7. Bring some useful contacts from teachers at your local or former
primary/secondary schools. It may be helpful for future school exchanges, penpal
projects, visits, etc. (expand your public relations abilities!)
8. Think of possible ways to spend your free time. You will have plenty of time for
traveling around, reading, doing sport, studying some course, doing on-line
studies, taking up a new hobby, socialize, etc. (treat yourself!!)
9. Plan a personal budget to cover your expenses (rent, transportation, utilities)
until you get your first pay check. Due to administrative procedures, some
regions may delay in providing the first pay check.
10. Finally, start a blog or any other way to tell your friends and family about your
activities (it will save you hundreds of emails!)
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4.2 Practical ideas
The living in Spain section covers information about meeting your more basic needs for
life in Spain. You'll find information for finding property/real estate, apartments in Spain, schools
and university programs, health care and medical insurance, English-speaking doctors, and
sending mail through the postal system.:
www.spainexpat.com/spain/category/C4/Living/
Craigslist in Spain in English: http://craigslist.es/
Like a Spanish Craigslist:
http://www.milanuncios.com/
www.segundamano.es/
www.loquo.es
http://www.idealista.com
http://www.fotocasa.es/
http://www.enalquiler.com/
4.3 Accommodation
Participants are responsible for their own room and board as well as their transportation
to and from Spain. This, however, does not mean that each person will live alone: A lot of
assistants share an apartment with other assistants or Spanish roommates. Schools should
have some resources to help you find a place to live. In a small number of cases, schools might
even have host families for the assistants.
Plan on staying in a hostel for about a week when you first arrive. Do not get an
apartment just from looking at photos online. It is wise to go check out the apartment yourself
and make sure its advertisement is truthful before starting a lease.
We also recommend arriving with $2000-2500 in savings to get established in case first
pay check might delay due to administrative procedures.
4.4 Services
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Ministerio del Interior www.mir.es (Spanish equivalent to the US State Department)
Polica www.policia.es
4.5 Community / Government
La Moncloa www.la-moncloa.es/default.htm
4.6 Medical insurance
Health insurance will be provided to each participant by their Comunidad Autnoma
(Autonomous Region). This health insurance will vary in its specifics but in general should
cover any basic/annual needs, emergencies, accidents, and repatriation. The participant is
responsible for their own prescriptions.
In the event of an emergency, contact your principal, director, or teacher that serves as
your main contact and/or supervisor at your assigned school.
For further information, go to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain
website:
http://www.educacion.gob.es/horizontales/servicios/profesores/convocatorias/extranjeros/auxilia
res-conversacion-extranjeros-espana.html
4.7 Testimonials from previous Auxiliares
The Pueblo Series:
www.pueblotheseries.com
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoWTig68tn4&hd=1 (General)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwn-xkr5ia4 (Extremadura)
Testimonials:
www.educacion.gob.es/exterior/centros/losangeles/es/actividades/Testimonios-
SeminarioAACC-09-09-11.
www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/destino-espana/destino-espana-cantabria-iii-alissa/1084130
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5 Annex 1: Glossary of Terms: PROFEX terminology
Status in chronological order:
Pendiente de destino: destination not chosen on application. One must still choose 3 regional
preferences.
Borrador: Draft application, NOT SUBMITTED
Inscrita: ONLINE APPLICATION SUBMITTED
Registrada: Paper application registered, has no real significance in the process.
Admitida: Application complete, application has been processed and has all required hard copy
documents, eligible for assignment.
Adjudicada: Assigned. A regional placement offer has been assigned and made to the candidate.
Reserva: Reserve, wait list. The auxiliares norteamericanos program does not make use of this
status; rather your application will stay in admitida status until we reach your application number.
Aceptada: Placement offer has been accepted by the candidate. The candidate has committed to
participating for that region.
Renuncia: Decline of placement offer. The candidate is no longer eligible for any placement for
the upcoming academic year.
Sin plaza: No placement.
Excluida: Excluded. Occasionally used to remove your application from the program. Usually if the
candidate no longer wishes to be considered before assignments have been made.
Excluida global: Excluded from all vacancies for any programs offered that term.
Registro excluido: application excluded.
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6 Annex 2: MOU for participants from the State of New York
Memorandum of Understanding between the New York State Department of Education
and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of the Kingdom of Spain.

El/la abajo firmante, Don/Doa .., ciudadano/a del Estado de Nueva York,
declara que, de ser seleccionado/a para participar en uno de los programas desarrollados en
escuelas pblicas espaolas, cumplir la normativa espaola de confidencialidad, seguridad de los
datos de sus alumnos y de sus evaluaciones, as como de cualquier otra informacin o
documentacin protegida por la ley.
Lo que se firma a los efectos del cumplimiento de lo dispuesto en el prrafo II.3.4 del Memorando
de Entendimiento entre el Departamento de Educacin del Estado de Nueva York y el Ministerio de
Educacin, Cultura y Deportes del Reino de Espaa.

En Nueva York, a __ de ____ de 201__.
Firma: ___________________________
Nombre completo: ___________________________


The undersigned Mr/Ms , citizen of New York State, hereby declares that
if being appointed to take part in one of the programs developed in Spanish public schools will
comply with all applicable Spanish laws and regulations, including those of confidentiality and
security of student data and their assessment and other information or documents protected by law.
This is signed in compliance with Paragraph II.3.4 of the Memorandum of Understanding between
the New York State Department of Education and The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of
the Kingdom of Spain.

New York, __ day of___________, 201_.
Signature: ___________________________
Printed name: ___________________________
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7 Annex 3: Map of Spain

















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