Photo is taken by Julia Maria

As my longing for Spain couldn´t be entirely satisfied even after several Erasmus semesters and my first participation in the Language Assistant Program a year ago, I decided to reapply to “Weltweit unterrichten”. Since I already had some contacts and friends from my time as a language assistant on the Balearic island of Mallorca, the decision to return to this place was quite easy for me. Mallorca, the largest island of the Balearic archipelago, is a beautiful place which offers not only dreamy beaches but also picturesque villages and small towns in the Mediterranean flair, as well as a great mountain landscape for hiking lovers and bikers. In general, regional preferences can be expressed during the application process, but the final placement is determined by the mediating organization. So, at the time when I sent my application, I did not know yet which Balearic island I would be assigned to. Ultimately, I was very lucky and could embark on a new adventure in Mallorca.

The Language Assistant Program offers the ideal opportunity to gain initial teaching experience abroad, learn from experienced teachers, and improve language skills in the foreign language. Primarily, the task of a language assistant is to motivate learners to speak and to inspire their enthusiasm for the language, culture, and country. Being intensively involved in a new school system for several months allows you to experience the traditions, customs, and culture firsthand, providing a deep insight into Spanish life. The many impressions I gained during my stay at both schools will certainly help me in my own foreign language classes to transmit the Spanish language with passion and in an authentic way.

After a clear and smooth application process through “Weltweit unterrichten,” I was placed by the Consejería de Educación y Formación Profesional in two language schools on the Balearic island of Mallorca. The school assignments and contact details of my mentors were sent to me via email. The initial contact with my supervising teachers at the respective host schools also took place via email. I received an immediate response and was able to obtain initial information about my role as a language assistant, such as the learners’ language level, timetable, and topics already covered. I was warmly welcomed at both schools, which made me feel immediately accepted and part of the team.

I taught German as an elective subject three days a week at two different schools near the port of Alcúdia, a beautiful town an hour’s bus ride from the capital. Luckily, I knew before starting my internship that there was a good bus connection from Palma to Alcúdia. On the Balearic Islands – as it was the case during my first stay on this island – it is common to work at two different schools. Normally, language assistants have one day off per week. Since I had a long commute to school, both schools made an effort to schedule my hours over three days per week. The workload and tasks normally vary by school and mentor. I planned and realized most of the lessons on my own, but with the teachers always present and supportive. The lesson topics were agreed upon in advance with the German teachers. The number of students in the German classes ranged from 8 to 25. Mostly, the lower secondary classes (ESO) were significantly larger than the upper secondary classes (Bachillerato). Since I mainly had beginners, I had to adjust the tasks and my speaking rate accordingly. Therefore, it was often necessary to explain work instructions in the foreign language, i.e., in Spanish. I also had a tourism group around my age that learned German as part of their vocational training at my main school.

For the role of a language assistant, one receives a salary or a kind of scholarship, which in the case of the Balearic Islands is 875 euros for 15 hours per week. Additionally, there is the possibility to combine the language assistantship with an Erasmus+ grant to receive additional support to cover living costs abroad. Generally, the cost of living in Mallorca is comparable to that in Austria. Since the island is a popular holiday destination, prices are correspondingly high when visiting local establishments or restaurants. Rent costs for apartments also start at around 500 euros. Since I could not move back into my former three-person shared apartment, I searched for a suitable apartment through the website idealista.com. The search took a bit longer, but I eventually found a room in a four-person shared flat near Plaza España. The location of my accommodation was perfect for me, as I could easily reach everything in the city center on foot, and the bus station was only a few meters away from my apartment. I was also very lucky with my roommates.

Finally, I would like to give you a few recomendations. I would advice futher language assistants to travel to the destination a few days before starting the internship to handle administrative tasks such as visiting the registration office and applying for the N.I.E. (Número de Identidad de Extranjero, literally translated as “Foreigner Identification Number”), which allows you to obtain discounts for flights and public transport. Furthermore I suggest to have good language skills in Spanish before arriving to the host country as the German level in schools is mainly low and also in order to be fully integrated in the society.

In conclusion, I can say that the experience as a language assistant in Mallorca was without a doubt an enriching chapter in my life. Due to this valuable experience abroad, I will be able to share personal experiences with my Austrian students of the upcoming school year, teach the Spanish language with great enthusiasm and built exchange programs between schools in the future. The many contacts and friendships I have made with Spanish-speakers of different countries have taught me not only new ways of living and broadened my perspective on the world, but also showed me the great diversity of the Spanish language. Therefore, I can only encourage everyone to take this step. Living and working in a foreign country is a unique experience that accompanies you throughout your life and allows you to grow personally. So, do not hesitate and apply for an adventure abroad.