bilingual schools in spain

Mayfair International Academy. Their Spanish school experience, however, was very different during their first years. Jump forward eight years and aged eleven, our strong-willed, independent, caring and intelligent daughter had developed strong roots and was ready to spread her wings. She knew him well! the benefits of bilingual education are undeniable. Their Montessori approach, combined with an English curriculum is aimed at allowing students to enter into British secondary schools either in the UK or abroad. The Bilingual Primary School is a growing school with over 520 children on roll from Reception to Y6. https://familylifeinspain.com/2016/09/secondary-education-in-spain/, https://familylifeinspain.com/2013/02/education-in-spain-division/, https://familylifeinspain.com/2010/11/education-in-spain-our-story-i/. However, with the right care and attention, you can select an educational environment that will help your child excel, in both English and Spanish. But in Ronda we do have two bilingual schools, a primary school (CEIP Juan Carillo), and a high school (IES Dr Rodriguez Delgado), as well there is a second bilingual primary school in Setenil de las Bodegas, though this is within the Cadíz province whereas Ronda schools are of course within Málaga province. The Columbus School is one of the most sought-after bilingual schools in Medellin. My kids are appalled by the mistakes the teachers make in class.”, “I was one of two teachers at the school who had formally studied bilingual education. We can confidently say that as a result of our decision to put the children in the local village school: However, as happy as we were with our children’s Spanish state education, we decided it was time for a change. Some children do acquire good language skills but usually because of the support they receive outside the school”, “Based on 2 different schools that we left! Start in pre-school. Each year this program continues to grow based on the success rate. He spent one year at a local village school in Arenas near Velez Malaga and then stayed at CEIP San Sebastián in Mijas Pueblo from age five to twelve. The Columbus School. Aranese (Aranés) is official in a small area of Catalonia and primary education is offered in this language. up to age 5 or 6) children. Some children do acquire good language skills but usually because of the support they receive outside the school”. Our children never fail to amaze me. Our priorities are to work with National and Regional Authorities in Spain to establish best practice in teaching and learning in bilingual schools.”, Reference: https://www.britishcouncil.es/en/partnerships/success-stories/bilingual, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Bilingual classrooms require consistency. My daughters (7 and 9) can have short conversations in English, enjoy watching English TV and have also started reading in English. A Sand Free Towel: A Reality or an Oxymoron? Therefore, if you’re staying in Spain long-term or have young children, sending them to a local school is a great way to help them integrate. After the bilingual program was launched in 2004, the Andalusian regional government allowed teachers with a low intermediate level of English (B1) to teach classes in the first few years, says José Antonio Romero, coordinator of the bilingual program at the public school Miguel Servert in Seville. They are required to teach the Spanish curriculum, including primary and … they are fully bilingual in English and Spanish, they are open-minded and caring individuals, they are knowledgeable about the importance of community values, they can switch speaking between the local Andaluz dialect and clear Castellano, they are fully integrated into the local community, they have a good knowledge of Spanish geography, they have a profound ability to effectively communicate with people of all ages, backgrounds and social status, they display creativity and a passion for learning, The Truth about Bilingual Schools in Spain (in our opinion). Bilingual Education Project Spain (2010) . By bringing in native-speaking teachers, begin at infant level and not enforce it on a school that is not appropriately equipped. We wanted our children to be educated in their mother tongue, in English, as well as their adopted Spanish. And they are really good at teaching! “We began without qualified teachers, and CLIL training – the European methodology to learn a new language through other subjects such as mathematics – is voluntary. The school offers Infant, Primary and Secondary Education in a stimulating and safe environment within the academic, social and sports limits. I think the schools shouldn’t be called bilingual because the percentage of classes is not 50/50 and also they don’t actually produce bilingual children. Fortunately, the state education system in Spain is of a very high standard. Colegio de San Francisco de Palua. How Educational Leaders Influence Bilingual Education. ” articles you can read lots of advice and experiences that may help you to make up your own mind on what is best for your own child. Benalmádena International College S.L. Balearic Island 145 The Bloomingdale School – Upper West Side. Iale International School: One of the best schools in Valencia. This education is based on an inclusive project that values and meets the educational and communication needs of our entire community in oral language, sign language and alternative systems. The implementation of this program occurred in three phases. Today, there is an integrated bilingual curriculum for 89 primary and 56 secondary schools across Spain. I think the teachers, if not native, should demonstrate an advanced level of the language, both written and spoken.”. Are the needs of one native group privileged over the other? Successful graduates can choose from a range of positions within the bilingual education context. So, before writing the post on our family blog www.familylifeinspain.com , I’d like input from others.”, “We’ve been really lucky, the level of English of the teachers at my daughters’ school is fantastic, (almost) native. Giving more support and better qualification and training to their teachers,. Shoreless Lake School (SLS) Address: Apdo. In Spain, it is compulsory for all children to attend school between the ages of 6 and 16. ¡ Olé ! – Methodology plays an important role too. Surrounded by native speakers, you will learn the language faster. El Limonar Monteprincipe is a bilingual education center for pupils from the age of 3 to 8 years old. Sunland international School (SUNLAN) Asturias. The school follows the English and Welsh National Curriculum whilst complying with the requirements of the Spanish Education system. I simply plan to give a true picture, based on experiences from parents and teachers. Most “bilingual” schools simply offered a couple of subjects that were taught in English. Huguet, Á. and Llurda, E.: 2001, ‘Language attitudes of school children in two Catalan/Spanish bilingual communities’, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 4, … Bilingual education in Spain is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the international education system, gain practical and theoretical skills in a new environment. The majority of schools seemed to offer a British curriculum which was not what we wanted. to teach classes in the first few years, says José Antonio Romero, coordinator of the bilingual program at the public school Miguel Servert in Seville. Bilingual education in Spain is a relatively new development, and in Ronda especially so with both schools having only run their programs for a very short time; one year for the primary school, and three years for the high school. El Limonar Monteprincipe is a bilingual education center for pupils from the age of 3 to 8 years old. In Andalusia, for instance, “there are not enough teachers qualified to speak well,” says Christian Abello, professor of English studies at the University of Seville. Combined with his easy adaptiveness to the ever-bouncing expectations of the auxiliar, Alex and his school mutually thrive from the other’s presence. Bilingual education involves teaching academic content in two languages, in a native and secondary language with varying amounts of each language used in accordance with the program model. “I believe that a school that advertises itself as “bilingual” should offer an equal number of subjects in each language.ie. International schools in other Spanish locations Caxton College. Painful for whichever school patio monitor who was punched and kicked by this fragile looking small child who transformed into a maniac as soon as she was sent through the school gates. Rules and regulations differ from our home country. We support training initiatives in collaboration with Education authorities and share our expertise at conferences nationally and internationally. https://familylifeinspain.com/2018/03/bilingual-education-spain-time-make-decision. Today, there is an integrated bilingual curriculum for 89 primary and 56 secondary schools across Spain. Schools provide vocational skills, creative opportunities, athletic opportunities, and much more. During my final meeting with his tutor, when I shared my thought about the local secondary school or a private bilingual school, I was told Joshua will do well, whatever school you decide to send him to”. We’ve been really lucky, the level of English of the teachers at my daughters’ school is fantastic, (almost) native. When researching secondary options for our children, I struggled to find schools offering what I believed to be “bilingual” education. As a result, bilingual education is gaining popularity in both the state and private sectors. Evaluation Report. The rest had studied English and primary teaching.”, “My kids attend a semi-private school (colegio concertado) but they follow the Comunidad de Madrid curriculum. 1. Painful for us as we saw our quiet, “angelic” daughter scream and cry at the start of every term for the first few years. The following two tabs change content below. In Spain, there are no league tables to advise us which are the best performing schools, although there are many regulatory bodies that can be consulted to conduct basic checks. Spain has many entirely independent private schools which include international schools and bilingual schools. Well known for its music and dance program, this bilingual school that previously had a thriving Spanish dual language program recently added a Russian dual language program. Top international schools in Valencia and Alicante, Comparing some of the best international schools in Alicante. Founded in 2004, DC Bilingual Public Charter School now serves more than 400 students in grades PreK3 – 5. Our priorities are to work with National and Regional Authorities in Spain to establish best practice in teaching and learning in bilingual schools.”, https://www.britishcouncil.es/en/partnerships/success-stories/bilingual. Why Spain’s bilingual schools are full of teachers with poor English skills The sector has grown so quickly there are not enough trained professionals to … We soon learnt that this performance ended as soon as she entered the school building. After 16 years old, they can choose to continue their education so they can apply to university or enter vocational training. Apply to Bilingual Authorization Handbook Program Description This added authorization can be added onto any teaching credential (multiple subjects, single subject, or educational specialist) and may be completed simultaneously (at the same time) or following a teaching credential. For instance, it’s likely you’ll find helping with homework or communicating with teachers difficult. ... a service that promotes international students’ employment in top companies throughout Spain. DC Bilingual implements an innovative dual immersion Spanish and English learning program for all students, regardless of home language. However, a recent article in El Pais has criticised the project. Bilingual education can shift a student’s focus. Spanish 300/300H fulfills GE area C3. But experts say there is not enough analysis or objective data on the effect of bilingual learning. “Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience of bilingual (English/Spanish) education in Spain. Swans School. 239 30850 Totana, Murcia, Spain Tel: 34 968 424386 Francesca, on the other hand, had a rather more disruptive and emotional start. Bilingual English/Spanish education is one of the most exciting innovations in the current education scene, with over 200,000 young students in Spain studying a bilingual curriculum from the age of 3, either in British Council project schools or in regional government versions of the project based on this original model. The second was our last school in Benalmadena, it was ordered to offer bilingual education at which point all the teachers signed a petition saying they wouldn’t/couldn’t do it – the town hall backed down and allowed them to start with just 25% in English and made the appropriate allowances. Equally, it’s also prudent to do some research about the school’s funding streams. For example, since there is such a large Spanish-speaking population in the United States, many primary and secondary school students can benefit from educational environments where they are learning in both English and Spanish. Q2: How do you think Spain can improve its Bilingual Education? Teaching in a bilingual school in Madrid definitely has so many positives! You’ll want to make sure there’s likely to be consistent provision for bilingual education to ensure standards are maintained. Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada (CIT) is a bilingual private school (Spanish & English). Bilingual schools use the Polish core curriculum, usually supplemented by elements of programs from other countries and learning—as the name suggests—is conducted in two languages, while in international schools or international classes, teaching is conducted in a foreign language (usually English) according to the selected foreign curriculum. Why choosing a Boarding School in Spain? The first in Torremolinos is supposedly a completely bilingual school at ESO level, however we were told they were not sufficiently qualified to do the Bachillerato classes in English – if that’s the case then I don’t believe they would be capable of doing any classes adequately in English. The Spanish education system is divided into three groups: state schools, state-subsidised private schools, and independent schools, which include most international schools. All students commence a third language in Year 7, which may be continued as an elective subject from Year 9. In Spain, more than 40%of the population lives in officially bilingual regions in which the minority language is used as a means of instruction at school and university. It was painful for many. For years I have said that choosing the best kind of. I think the schools shouldn’t be called bilingual because the percentage of classes is not 50/50 and also they don’t actually produce bilingual children. the level of English of teachers in the many “bilingual” schools in Spain leaves a lot to be desired, there is a need for more qualified and/or native teachers, the term “bilingual school” is used too loosely, more control is required, it is pretty much pot luck as to what level of English is offered, based on the teacher you have, This article from El Pais in English highlights some interesting facts that may explain some of these differences and nuances. Which subjects are taught in which language and how are they assessed? We all do what we believe is best for our children, yet how do we make the right choice regarding the best schools and types of education? That said, older children have taken this path and have done so very successfully. International schools teach subjects in English and some take children from nursery school right up to university level, while others concentrate on primary and secondary education. Another advantage of studying abroad … This pages gives a comprehensive overview of bilingual schools or international schools in Spain. Shoreless Lake School (SLS) Address: Apdo. By September 2022 we will be at full capacity, with 3 forms of entry in each year group. And they are really good at teaching! , where more students study in English than any other region (52.3% in elementary school and 33.7% in high school). teachers. Bilingual (English/Spanish) nursery and primary school in Benavista, Estepona, founded in 2004. Every child is different and our role as parents is to decide what we believe to be best for them. In the 2016-2017 period, that figure had jumped 360% to 1.1 million, according to an EL PAÍS study of data from the Education Ministry. P.S. Too many kids are unable to say or write a simple sentence after 6 years of English…. 1. Bilingual, quality, safety, economic stability Secondary education in Spain provides a unique opportunity to foreign students to learn the Spanish language in a safe and welcoming country with the highest academic standards. A case in point: one year after California repealed its ban on bilingual education, Massachusetts passed the LOOK Act, which stands for Language Opportunity for Our Kids. Should you opt for local state schools, private international schools or bilingual schools in Spain? And I’m not talking about learning hundreds of (useless) vocabulary lists. The English School of Asturias. Bilingual teaching models In Spain Spanish coexists with Basque, Catalan and Galician as the medium of instruction. Aloha College. Joshua fitted in and adapted from day one. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS). I have just made the decision to pay for my son to attend fully bilingual private secondary education as I do not feel the state schools offer an acceptable level. Quality of life The same is true in Andalusia, where 30.5% of elementary school students and 28.6% of high school students study in English. However, from experience, I know that once they are five or six years older, the process may not be as smooth. In Madrid however, where 43.8% of primary school students and 27.6% of secondary students take classes in English, teachers must have an advanced level of English (C1). I think the teachers, if not native, should demonstrate an advanced level of the language, both written and spoken.”. However, we know it’s not the same in other schools in the same town.”, “Only Catalans can teach English in public schools, the level is really low, not one child in 5 or 6 form can say a word of English to me. These are fee paying. She was calm in the classroom, well most of the time. By having native English teachers teaching the language. For instance, are both languages given equal attention? Lower the prices in the private schools or raise the level of English spoken by Spanish teachers in the state schools. Good education 100% in Spanish is far better than shoddy teaching because the teacher only speaks intermediate English. (Anghel, Cabrales & Carro, 2015) If you have an older child (over 8 years old) or your … 239 30850 Totana, Murcia, Spain Tel: 34 968 424386 For years I have said that choosing the best kind of education in Spain for your children is one of the most important decisions you will make whether you are moving abroad or you are already living abroad. As in our introduction, the school you choose for your child will depend on your unique circumstances. In regards to the Madrid bilingual program, there are now 336 primary schools, 98 secondary schools, and 163 private schools. Some international schools in Spain are also subsidized, follow a bilingual (English/Spanish) curriculum and are also authorized to accept both Spanish and foreign pupils. Huguet, Á. and Llurda, E.: 2001, ‘Language attitudes of school children in two Catalan/Spanish bilingual communities’, International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 4, … Two-Way Dual Language is a Spanish dual language program that includes instruction in both English and Spanish to help students excel academically while becoming bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. In our “education in Spain” articles you can read lots of advice and experiences that may help you to make up your own mind on what is best for your own child. However, if you aren’t a competent Spanish speaker, you may find this challenging. For those entering the School at Year 7, a special beginner class is offered in one, or sometimes two, second languages. In Asturias, where more students study in English than any other region (52.3% in elementary school and 33.7% in high school), teachers only need to have an intermediate level (B2). Equally, if you want to ensure they’re fully integrated into Spanish society, you may prefer to enroll them in the state sector. Whichever route you choose, many parents want their children to learn both languages. She was ready to make a big change in her life and follow in her brother’s footsteps … in her own individual way, of course! And I’m not talking about learning hundreds of (useless) vocabulary lists. How happy are you with the level of English of the teachers giving the classes? After the bilingual program was launched in 2004, the Andalusian regional government allowed. The popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that many regions have been unable to keep up with demand. 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