What is the Cultural Ambassadors Program for Teaching English in Spain?

For those of you interested in teaching English abroad in Spain, there is a popular government program operated by the Spanish Ministry of Education that you may want to look into. Lucky for you, we've detailed everything about this cultural teaching assistant program below.

The North American Language and Cultural Assistant Program (NALCAP)

What is NALCAP?

The North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) in Spain is a language assistant program that allows North American English speakers to work as language and cultural assistants in public schools across Spain.

It is also commonly referred to as the Cultural Ambassadors Program for teaching English in Spain.

Who is NALCAP for?

The NALCAP program is similar to the Language and Cultural Assistants program (Auxiliares de Conversación) that is run by the Spanish Ministry of Education, but it is specifically designed for North Americans who want to work in Spain as language assistants. The program is managed by the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C. and is open to college graduates who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada. This teaching assistant program in Spain recruits up to 2,500 Americans & Canadians to teach English (and in the case of some Canadians, French) each year. 

How Does NALCAP Work?

Participants are typically placed in primary and secondary schools throughout Spain, where they work with local teachers to support English language instruction and promote intercultural exchange. Participants in the NALCAP program receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and assistance with obtaining a visa and finding accommodation in Spain. The program typically runs from October to May, and participants are expected to work 12-16 hours per week in the classroom.

Watch ITA grad Michelle Guida teaching English in Seville, Spain with the NALCAP Program

NALCAP: A Brief Spain Cultural Ambassadors Program Overview

Here is some key information about the program:

• Americans between ages 18-60 (most participants are between the ages of 21-35 - the upper age limit for Madrid region is 35) are placed as assistant English teachers in elementary or secondary schools in Spain;
• Assignments last from the beginning of October until May 31; in Madrid, the duration of the program is from October 1 to June 30; a few spots begin after October 1 and these depend on availability;
• Participants work 12 class sections a week as assistant English teachers in their assigned school(s);
• Participants may submit preferences for where they want to teach, but assignments are determined by the Cultural Ambassadors and are given in April, when acceptances are announced;
• Assignments may be given in school districts in mainland Spain or in overseas regions such as the Canary Islands and islands like Mallorca;
• Participants receive a stipend (between 700-1000 Euro per month - sometimes higher in Madrid, Valencia, or Galicia), health insurance and a long-stay student visa for Spain covering the duration of their assignment with Cultural Ambassadors.
• Participants are responsible for covering travel costs to & from Spain.

Eligibility for NALCAP

Cultural Ambassadors applications are evaluated based on a list of criteria that are indicative of a candidate’s potential for successful participation in the program. To apply for NALCAP, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. or Canadian citizen
• Meet the academic requirements: Have a BA, BS, AA, or AS degree or be enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in a BA or BS program.
• Demonstrate communicative skills in Spanish - the official program website states: "Official college transcripts, high school records, Spanish language certificates or others may be uploaded as an extra proof of language competence"
• Demonstrate that you are in physical and psychological Condition: you will be required to submit a medical form

Is the Program Competitive and Is Every Applicant Accepted?

It’s important to note that Cultural Ambassadors is a competitive program and meeting basic criteria does not ensure acceptance. 

Why Your TEFL Certification is Important

The Cultural Ambassadors program is highly competitive, and applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain their TEFL/TESOL certification. Earning your TEFL certification will show the application committee that you possess a strong grasp of the best practices and methodology behind teaching English as a foreign language. In addition, your TEFL/TESOL certification will include live practice teaching (known as practicum), which will provide you with experience working with actual ESL students and show to the program administrators that you are prepared to handle a live classroom environment.

Some other factors to consider regarding the question of whether you should get a TEFL certification if you want to teach in Cultural Ambassadors (or elsewhere for that matter);

• Your teaching experience will be far easier and more rewarding if you possess basic teaching skills in areas like classroom management, teaching methodology, and error correction. A primary complaint and reason for drop-outs in programs like Cultural Ambassadors (and similar assistantship programs in France and Japan) is that participants without training feel lost and unable to cope with their classroom assignments because they are totally unprepared.
• Your students will learn more from you and respect you more (as will your colleagues and peers) if you are trained and possess professional-level teaching skills.
• TEFL certification will provide you with the skills and qualifications to gain employment teaching English in up to 80 other countries worldwide and could very well qualify you for other teaching opportunities in Spain and elsewhere in Europe and around the world.

The Application Process for NALCAP

When Can I apply for NALCAP?

The application process for the 2024-2025 Teaching Assistant Program in Spain has now closed, it was open from February 9, 2024 - April 4, 2024 (11:59 pm local Spanish time). Applicants receive assignments on a first-come, first-served basis, and most assignments are made in April. Those who do not accept their assignment within the first week are at risk of losing it.

Please consult the Cultural Ambassadors website for more details, including Guidelines for Application. 

NALCAP Application: The Details

Applying to the Cultural Ambassadors program is somewhat similar to applying to a university or graduate school program. The applicant will be expected to provide information on their academic background; Spanish language level & experience; experience working or teaching children and young adults; and experience with living abroad.

Paperwork applicants can expect to submit will also include:

• A copy of your valid U.S.A. or Canadian passport main page.
• A copy of your degree certificate(s) or diploma(s) or an official academic record on letterhead.
• A cover letter or statement of purpose for participation in the program, 250 to 300 words in either English or French (for Canadian applicants), addressed to the education advisor responsible for the office you will be sending your required documents.
• A copy of a testimonial or reference letter from your university or workplace. Letterhead, author’s contact information, and signature are required. 
• If you hold dual citizenship and you are a European Union citizen, or you already have a residence card (TIE), we require a medical/physical evaluation stating that you are in good mental and physical condition and have no limitations that would impair your ability to teach. This document should be on the doctor’s letterhead and be uploaded on Profex (the online platform, where you will upload application documents).

Cultural Ambassadors Program & Visas

One of the major benefits of the Cultural Ambassadors program is that it provides U.S. citizens with a viable and legal way to teach English in Spain on a long-stay student visa. The process of getting your visa can take months so it is important to begin the process as soon as you accept your assignment to the program.

NALCAP Benefits

Stipends & Health Insurance

NALCAP teachers receive a net stipend of about €700 euro a month (approximately $735 USD - exchange rates do fluctuate), or up to €1000 euro in Madrid. This is typically enough to live modestly.  Some teachers find that it really isn't enough to survive comfortably on that salary alone. Many participants earn extra cash on the side by giving private language lessons and/or babysitting.

Participants also receive basic health insurance through the Spanish national health insurance system. Teachers are responsible for their own airfare and housing costs. Most Cultural Ambassadors arrive in Spain with a minimum $2,000 USD to help with start-up costs like their first month's rent.

Read more: How Much Do English Teachers Make in Spain?

Are There Other Options for Teaching English in Spain?

The vast majority of Americans & others who teach English abroad in Spain do not do the Cultural Ambassadors Program. Thousands of Americans, Canadians, Britons and others teach English in Spain, primarily in the private sector as private language schools and also as private tutors.

Bonus tips: In addition to the Cultural Ambassadors program, there are a few smaller programs to look at: BEDA Madrid, and CAPS. 

Go Further:

• Teaching English in Spain
• Requirements for teaching English in Spain