NALCAP - Canadian Language and Culture Assistants

Program Overview

The Education Office of the Embassy of Spain promotes diverse educational outreach programs in Canada. Located in Ottawa within the Embassy of Spain, the primary goal of the Education Office of Spain is to foster collaborative educational programs between these countries and Spain, building long lasting ties among their citizens.

Our flagship program, both in number and scope is the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP). Canadian college students and graduates, who are native-like speakers of English or French, partner with elementary and secondary schools in Spain to bolster language programs, as language assistants (TAs) under the supervision and guidance of teachers in Spain.

NALCAP falls under the category of public diplomacy programs. As a language assistant, you are fulfilling the role of a cultural ambassador promoting English or French language learning and mutual understanding through cultural exchange. As such, your role is to encourage students of all ages in Spain to broaden their knowledge of your language and culture.

Placements are offered all across Spain, in practically every city and town in the country, running from October 1st to May 31st for most assignments. Short term contracts and/or alternative starting dates are unfortunately not available. NALCAP recipients receive a monthly stipend of 700 to 1000 euros depending on the assigned region and medical insurance from either the national government or the regional governments of Spain. Hours of assistant teaching range from 12 to 16 hours per week also depending on assignment awarded.

At the same time, the program offers recipients the opportunity to study the language and culture of Spain by becoming a local and growing on a personal level, while sharing the languages and cultures of Canada with students in Spain. This is why we use the hashtag #growasyoushare for this remarkable program.

Over 3,500 Canadians have participated in the program and lived this amazing opportunity in experiential learning. Come to Spain and become a cultural ambassador representing your country. It'll be the experience of a lifetime!

Program Eligibility

The following requirements must be met in order to participate in the program.

• Be a Canadian citizen and have a valid passport until 3 months after the end of the program.
• Have a conferred BA, BS, AA or AS degree or be enrolled as a sophomore, junior or a senior in a BA or BS program.
• Be a native-like speaker of English
• Be in good physical and mental health
• Have a clean background check
• Be aged 18 - 60. You must be at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2023, and not be over 60 on January 1, 2024, to participate in the program. Disclaimer: Age ranges have to do with labor regulations in Spain.

It is recommended that participants in the program have a basic level of Spanish for your daily life and needs in Spain. At your school and in the classroom you will only be speaking in English or in French.

Grant recipients are requested to be responsible, broad-minded and have a flexible attitude as well as being open to new ideas and cultures.

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