Would you like to be a conversation auxiliary or language assistant? This could be one of your New Year's resolutions!

Another option to become a teacher in Spain is by opting for a program which hires conversation auxiliaries (or language assistants). There is only a requirement, as far as I know: you need to have a B.A. not necessarily related to education, although it will definitely help you for sure.

In Spain there are currently four main programs where the presence of conversation auxiliaries is essential. Actually, they teach ESL or design and carry out projects with their students. It is true that these programs are really appealing, although each one has its own pros and cons.

The first one is for the bilingual programs in Spain run generally by the Ministry of Education and each autonomous region in particular.

It is the program which offers more positions, but it is also true the support offered to their conversation auxiliaries isn't the best due to its enormous scope. Here you have a couple links in case you're interested, a generic one and one designed specifically for Americans:

a) http://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/ca/servicios-al-ciudadano/catalogo/profesorado/convocatorias-para-extranjeros/auxiliares-extranjeros.html

b) https://www.educacionyfp.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/auxiliares-conversacion-eeuu.html 

The second one I'd like to talk about is the CBC program run by UCETAM for state-funded schools and is usually restricted to schools in the region of Madrid and a few in other regions. 

Conversation auxiliaries usually foster interaction in the classroom by using projects, although they might also teach ESL classes and even help prepare students for examinations like those offered by Cambridge or Trinity College. Of course, it is a smaller program where support and help are usually more at hand and more individualized. The school I work for has been involved in this program and conversation auxiliaries are generally happy with it. 

What's more, UCETAM work with Instituto Franklin (Alcalá de Henares University) and conversation auxiliaries can also take an M.A. program in Education while working. 

Here you will find more information about UCETAM and Instituto Franklin:

a) https://colegiosbilinguescooperativos.com/ 

b) https://portal.uah.es/portal/page/portal/portal_internacional/nuestros_estudios/programas_del_instituto_franklin 

The third program is BEDA in Madrid as well. This program is run by the Catholic Schools Association and has been going on for a long time. 

It is similar to CBC, but different at the same time in terms of type of school. Auxiliaries I've met over the years have mixed feelinga about how they are taken care of in case of problems, but their experience has been satisfactory overall.

Here you have a link if you want to find out more:

https://www.ecmadrid.org/es/informacion/96-informacion-programa-beda

The fourth option is Escuela Excelente which has been recently launched. It is similar to UCETAM and they have their own Bilingual Excellent Schools program where conversation auxiliaries are a central element. 

There are many schools which have adhered to this association and, when it comes to marketing, it is undeniable they are better than UCETAM or BEDA. It seems conditions are similar for conversation auxiliaries, but you need to check it for yourselves by getting information from them. This is their web address:

http://escuelaexcelente.es/ 

Finally, there are schools (usually private, although some state-funded ones too) that have established their own bilingual programs. Working conditions and requirements vary, but you must be able to be legally hired in Spain. If you're offered something similar to an intership, think about it twice, please!

I hope this information helps you just in case and I would also advise you to take a deeper look into it if you're really interested. Here you have some more links on this topic:

a) http://wayfaringwanders.com/2016/06/16/auxiliares-de-conversacion-faqs/

b) https://getupgetoutgetlost.com/2017/12/12/teach-english-in-spain-beda-language-assistants/

c) https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-UCETAM-RVW6172915.htm

d) https://ameliesayshola.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/teaching-english-in-spain-ucetam-faq/

e) https://www.studyabroad101.com/programs/universidad-de-alcala-alcala-de-henares-spanish-studies-abroad-with-instituto-franklin/reviews/28418

Good luck and find the program that best suits you! 

David.