bilingual schools in spain

SEK has day school and boarding options, both at a pretty penny. 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? Joshua fitted in and adapted from day one. 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 … As you can see from the sample answers above, my own research into local schools, in the Malaga area, highlighted what I had already been lead to believe by other parents and friends working in the education sector: Needless to say, this does not make our role as a parent any easier when choosing the best school for our children! And they are really good at teaching! International Schools or Schools with bilingual Programs: Andalucia. – Methodology plays an important role too. 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. Spanish 300/300H fulfills GE area C3. My daughters (7 and 9) can have short conversations in English, enjoy watching English TV and have also started reading in English. The Columbus School is one of the most sought-after bilingual schools in Medellin. “We began without qualified teachers, and CLIL training – the European methodology to learn a new language through other subjects such as mathematics – is voluntary. If you’re considering moving to Spain with your family, you might be exploring sending your children to a bilingual school. “We have been working since 1996 with the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to support the implementation, development and evaluation of bilingual and bicultural education throughout Spain. 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). The third language program currently includes Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin). , where 30.5% of elementary school students and 28.6% of high school students study in English. Both educational systems offer excellent opportunities for learning, so you can choose the school that’s right for you with confidence. We wanted our children to be educated in their mother tongue, in English, as well as their adopted Spanish. 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. Bilingual education can shift a student’s focus. When researching secondary options for our children, I struggled to find schools offering what I believed to be “bilingual” education. Dual Language: Two-Way Spanish. A two-way program is intended for both native Spanish speakers and native English speakers. Equally, if you want to ensure they’re fully integrated into Spanish society, you may prefer to enroll them in the state sector. 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. “We began without qualified teachers, and CLIL training – the European methodology to learn a new language through other subjects such as mathematics – is voluntary. Where your children will go to school is a key concern if you’re relocating. How happy are you with the level of English of the teachers giving the classes? The Bilingual Primary School is a growing school with over 520 children on roll from Reception to Y6. Surrounded by native speakers, you will learn the language faster. Bilingual education can often be the most effective when children are beginning preschool or elementary school. Our children never fail to amaze me. “There are notable differences between bilingual education in each of Spain’s regions, especially when it comes to the English skills required of teachers. 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 majority of schools seemed to offer a British curriculum which was not what we wanted. The popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that many regions have been unable to keep up with demand. 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Relocating. Top international schools in Valencia and Alicante, Comparing some of the best international schools in Alicante. “Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience of bilingual (English/Spanish) education in Spain. Ábaco Asesoría Legal y Fiscal, S.L.U. In order to research the matter further, I invited parents to answer a simple questionnaire about their experiences with “bilingual schools in Spain”: Here are a few comments and suggestions made by the parents, in response to my open questions: Q1. 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 boom in public bilingual centres in Spain has been remarkable. Aloha College. Each year this program continues to grow based on the success rate. ... a service that promotes international students’ employment in top companies throughout Spain. Giving more support and better qualification and training to their teachers,. Bilingual (English/Spanish) nursery and primary school in Benavista, Estepona, founded in 2004. By bringing in native-speaking teachers, begin at infant level and not enforce it on a school that is not appropriately equipped. 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! 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. 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. And they are really good at teaching! Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada (CIT) is a bilingual private school (Spanish & English). 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. Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada (CIT) is a bilingual private school (Spanish & English). The British Council have been involved in attempting to improve the level of education in Spain offered in English …. It was painful for many. International Schools With 2 of its locations in the community of Madrid, SEK International is one of the most prestigious school systems in the country (#13 in El Mundo). However, a recent article in El Pais has criticised the project. In Spain, it is compulsory for all children to attend school between the ages of 6 and 16. 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. Too many kids are unable to say or write a simple sentence after 6 years of English…. 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. For instance, if your budget allows, you may choose to send them to a private international school. P.S. If a bilingual education program is broken into a standard 50/50 split during the school day, students who do struggle with the new language may find themselves focused on the second language only. Why choosing a Boarding School in Spain? All students commence a third language in Year 7, which may be continued as an elective subject from Year 9. 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. 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. 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 do offer scholarships, but they are largely for students at the Bachillerato level. I do not intend to make any school look good or bad. In our case,  half of the subjects in English, and the other half in Spanish. Should you opt for local state schools, private international schools or bilingual schools in Spain? A Sand Free Towel: A Reality or an Oxymoron? How Educational Leaders Influence Bilingual Education. 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. 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, … The Bilingual and Biliteracy in Spanish Certificate of Achievement is a 16-credit program composed of four 4-credit courses. There are many paths towards bilingual education, each with its pros and cons. Founded in 1987, this institution based in Valencia is a private and mixed British school offering a... Elians. The school follows the English and Welsh National Curriculum whilst complying with the requirements of the Spanish Education system. Start in pre-school. Bilingual classrooms require consistency. Some 95% of Spanish students at bilingual schools have chosen to be taught in English.” Regional differences in bilingual education “There are notable differences between bilingual education in each of Spain’s regions, especially when it comes to the English skills required of teachers. I simply plan to give a true picture, based on experiences from parents and teachers. Learning another language is an incredible opportunity and one that you’ll doubtless want to share with your children. We were looking for bilingual education. Bilingual teaching models In Spain Spanish coexists with Basque, Catalan and Galician as the medium of instruction. Parents who want bilingual education are obliged to go to a private school. Every child is different and our role as parents is to decide what we believe to be best for them. Today, there is an integrated bilingual curriculum for 89 primary and 56 secondary schools across Spain. Agora International School Madrid is a private, bilingual international school in Madrid. Back to School 2020: Coronavirus, ignorance, doubts and conflicting emotions. 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). Capacity building. Shoreless Lake School (SLS) Address: Apdo. The evaluation was led by a leading world expert in bilingual education: Professor Emeritus … This certificate guarantees professional Spanish language proficiency as well as professional knowledge of Latino culture and politics and is designed for undergraduates and post-baccalaureate students also seeking a SBBC certificate. Sotogrande International School. “I believe that a school that advertises itself as “bilingual” should offer an equal number of subjects in each language.ie. 2. I am a firm believer that enrolling children in local Spanish school from an early age is a good option for most if not all young (ie. That said, older children have taken this path and have done so very successfully. 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. 1. teachers. The English School of Asturias. But experts say there is not enough analysis or objective data on the effect of bilingual learning. Fortunately, the state education system in Spain is of a very high standard. However, a recent article in El Pais has criticised the project. It focuses on achieving educational excellence via an enriched and coordinated curriculum tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of each of its students. The Spanish Bilingual Program provides students with the opportunity to acquire the basic skills for spe aking, reading, writing, listening and communicating in both English and Spanish at a young age. 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