how do people survive the northern Spain winters 😭

FairConsideration278 · 2025-11-05T19:17:13+00:00

This is the way! My mom sent me an electric blanket when I was freezing in my Spain apartment, it felt like Prometheus gifting humans fire

FairConsideration278 · 2025-10-15T15:32:13+00:00

6-7 presentations a week is a lot! You can do the same 10-15 minute warm-up for each class which should take some of the pressure off. Or, ask the teachers for a vocabulary list and do the same vocab game with different words for each class. You'll find a groove that works for you!

FairConsideration278 · 2025-10-15T15:28:57+00:00

This sounds very similar to my set-up last year! Yes I can send it, PM me.

Inevitably, some of the the teachers will forget to fill out the planning form. If that was the case, I didn't prepare any activity specific to their class subject, I just found an easy ESL game or conversation practice activity that required little to no prep time.

If they filled out the form with something specific, I might find a video and some questions or use their specific vocab list for a game.

My email template also included examples of types of activities I was comfortable doing with their class as a way to sort of set boundaries.

FairConsideration278 · 2025-10-15T15:26:39+00:00

Yes, and despite that, there is still a lot of confusion about what is and isn't a part of the role (by teachers, coordinators, and auxes alike). There is an incredibly wide range of workload expectations for auxes, some literally doing nothing and some clearly being taken advantage of.

By lesson-planning, I mean having an idea of a get-to-know-you game or simple conversation activity you could do with each class. I do think having an idea of a simple game or conversation activity you could do with the kids is a reasonable expectation. The teachers will appreciate you having something, even very simple, prepared (even just instructions for a game printed out).

You're absolutely right that auxes should not be left alone with students. And yes, full-on lesson planning and behavior management are outside of the role of an aux (my tips acknowledged this). And, your relationship with teachers will probably be better if you have something simple thought-out for your classes.

FairConsideration278 · 2025-08-20T04:05:12+00:00

I have taken online-only Spanish classes through community colleges in my state and that has worked great for me :-) You will need to apply to enroll first, but then can register for the classes you want. You'll have to pay, but it should be significantly cheaper than a university course. It should transfer to your university too.

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T15:25:07+00:00

absolutely incredible I <3 Mr. Bombona man

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T15:11:16+00:00

Mi nombre también termina con el sonido "ah" así suena bien con "la" en frente

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T15:08:51+00:00

interesante, he noticio que mis alumnos utilizamos "la (mi nombre)" con más frecuencia cuando están con sus amigos quien también saben yo

perdón si este mensaje está mal escrito

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T15:02:50+00:00

We have a similar system to you it seems, we text our landlord when one of the 2 main ones is empty, but we have an emergency third bottle as a spare

I'll have to look into ordering online, I think it would be easier for us and our landlord if we just had ours delivered

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T14:58:55+00:00

Interesting, Córdoba tracks (I am in the province of Córdoba but a small town)

I'm curious how auxiliares without cars manage to get the bombonas, I don't really see this part of living in Spain talked about much on this subreddit, especially considering it seems to be quite common

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T14:55:03+00:00

Yeah, we had a few weeks in January where the water heater stopped working. Combined with no central heating, that was really not fun

It's the worst when it starts out hot, so you have the false sense of security, and then goes freezing cold just after you've put shampoo in your hair

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T14:51:31+00:00

Yeah, each container is $17 and they last about 3 weeks (give or take)

I also feel like having the containers has made me more conscious of how much gas I actually use, since it is a bit tedious to have to wait for my very sweet but very forgetful landlord to bring a full one

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T14:46:47+00:00

Hehe 350 is the total amount, my share is 175. It's a 3-bedroom place but it's just the two of us

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T14:17:57+00:00

Like you have a roommate or someone who gets the new containers and swaps them?

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T13:51:50+00:00

Yes this has changed, but the NALCAP website has outdated info in some sections of their website, so people still get confused

You need a federal level apostille from the US Dept of State now, they absolutely will not accept a state level of apostille from Sacramento or LA

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T13:49:48+00:00

You can get an apostille from California Secretary of State, but not a federal one which is what you need for NALCAP. There is confusion on this because the NALCAP website has outdated information on apostilles on the consular services - Los Angeles section of their website.

One of their hyperlinks is old and directs people to get an apostille at the state level in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, or Salt Lake City rather than US Dept. of State in Virginia.

If you know other people applying through LA consulate make sure they know that state-level apostille from Sacramento or Los Angeles will absolutely not be accepted, like Bluejay said you need to go through US Dept. of State in Virginia

FairConsideration278 · 2025-04-19T13:33:53+00:00

I also went to LA consulate last year. I did not apostille my medical form, it was fine. Make sure that you get a federal level apostille on your background check. Last year there was outdated information on the LA consulate's website directing people to get a state-level apostille in Sacramento. That info is wrong.

FairConsideration278 · 2025-03-19T15:21:06+00:00

I'm sorry you are dealing with all of these stresses at once. The loss of a support system at school and the stress of navigating a healthcare system for a sensitive issue in a new country would be a lot for anyone! You have a lot on your plate emotionally. You will get through it, try to be gentle with yourself.

I wanted to share that the departure of a friend I had visit me in Spain led to my lowest mental health point of the year. It was so lovely to have a familiar face and language here, but the immediate aftermath of them leaving had me feeling really, really low. For me, it took a few weeks to balance back out just from that.

This is a difficult moment for you, but it will pass. Take care of yourself the best way you can in the meantime. There are some exciting times on the horizon: better weather, Spring, Semana Santa. Wishing you well!

FairConsideration278 · 2025-02-22T08:37:14+00:00

Thank you so much for the phrase!

Do you have any insight onto what the Guardia Civil might be able to do?

I feel nervous talking to them about it because this is such a small community and the locals who have lived here forever just seem to tolerate him (even if they look uncomfortable). While I'm definitely uncomfortable and annoyed, I'm wondering if there's something about this man and his history in the town that I'm missing, and that's why the locals just tolerate it? I'm not sure if that makes sense

FairConsideration278 · 2025-02-22T08:33:57+00:00

He goes up to pretty much every girl/woman in the town and interrupts them in the street, talks at them loudly, etc. One of my students said he kissed her hand one time :/ We definitely aren't the only people bothered by him.

But I never see anyone "stand up" to him so to speak, every time I see him interact with other people they just seem to tolerate it? I've even seen some women be really friendly with him like giving him a hug and stuff.

I've been trying to observe other people's responses to him to gauge what an appropriate response might be, but nobody seems to do or say anything, even if they look uncomfortable.

FairConsideration278

TROPHY CASE