We wanted our children to be educated in their mother tongue, in English, as well as their adopted Spanish. 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? The school follows the English and Welsh National Curriculum whilst complying with the requirements of the Spanish Education system. However, the route you take will depend on your specific circumstances. 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. 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. My daughters (7 and 9) can have short conversations in English, enjoy watching English TV and have also started reading in English. Not only is it shown to increase cognitive capacity, but it also creates a vast amount of future opportunities – especially when it comes to a language as widely spoken as Spanish. 212-678-2857 2. The Bilingual Primary School is a growing school with over 520 children on roll from Reception to Y6. Hence this research … My current beliefs may not reflect the true picture. Some of the statements and facts are quite frankly shocking …, Regional differences in bilingual education, “There are notable differences between bilingual education in each of Spain’s regions, especially when it comes to the. 1. By September 2022 we will be at full capacity, with 3 forms of entry in each year group. History of Bilingual Education in Spain The most successful program began in the capital city of Madrid in the year 2004. Join us as we share experiences and essential updates, advice & assistance related to living in and moving to Spain. Calpe Junior School. Equally, if you want to ensure they’re fully integrated into Spanish society, you may prefer to enroll them in the state sector. 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. Their Spanish school experience, however, was very different during their first years. My aim is to provide an accurate image of the current state of “bilingual” schools in Spain. They are so resilient and adaptable. International Schools or Schools with bilingual Programs: Andalucia. Balearic Island Bilingual teaching models In Spain Spanish coexists with Basque, Catalan and Galician as the medium of instruction. https://familylifeinspain.com/2018/03/bilingual-education-spain-time-make-decision. 145 The Bloomingdale School – Upper West Side. 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! Which subjects are taught in which language and how are they assessed? 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. Here are a few to get your research on Bilingual Schools in New York started. Regional differences in bilingual education 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. 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). 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). Today, there is an integrated bilingual curriculum for 89 primary and 56 secondary schools across Spain. 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. Bilingual inclusive education in Madrid, Spain: Deaf and hearing pupils | Inclusive Education in Action As a result, bilingual education is gaining popularity in both the state and private sectors. However, from experience, I know that once they are five or six years older, the process may not be as smooth. 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. 239 30850 Totana, Murcia, Spain Tel: 34 968 424386 Before sharing my thoughts and findings with you, I’d like to clarify what I understand as “bilingual education”. Surrounded by native speakers, you will learn the language faster. Why choosing a Boarding School in Spain? Capacity building. Bilingual education can often be the most effective when children are beginning preschool or elementary school. Another advantage of studying abroad … 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. “I believe that a school that advertises itself as “bilingual” should offer an equal number of subjects in each language.ie. I think the teachers, if not native, should demonstrate an advanced level of the language, both written and spoken.”. Every child is different and our role as parents is to decide what we believe to be best for them. However, if you aren’t a competent Spanish speaker, you may find this challenging. Aranese (Aranés) is official in a small area of Catalonia and primary education is offered in this language. “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 popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that, . Shoreless Lake School (SLS) Address: Apdo. 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. Your children will be able to continue with a familiar curriculum taught in their native language with small classes and high-quality facilities. We prepare our students for a global, diverse and complex world. Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada (CIT) is a bilingual private school (Spanish & English). The Columbus School is one of the most sought-after bilingual schools in Medellin. 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). 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! 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. A Sand Free Towel: A Reality or an Oxymoron? 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. And I’m not talking about learning hundreds of (useless) vocabulary lists. (Anghel, Cabrales & Carro, 2015) 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. Colegio de San Francisco de Palua. 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 … I am of the belief that the teachers providing classes, in English, in state schools, need more training and a higher level of English to better carry out their roles. Bilingual classrooms require consistency. “There are notable differences between bilingual education in each of Spain’s regions, especially when it comes to the English skills required of teachers. By having native English teachers teaching the language. Most “bilingual” schools simply offered a couple of subjects that were taught in English. El Limonar Monteprincipe is a bilingual education center for pupils from the age of 3 to 8 years old. 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. We were looking for bilingual education. 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. 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. Q2: How do you think Spain can improve its Bilingual Education? 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. Founded in 2004, DC Bilingual Public Charter School now serves more than 400 students in grades PreK3 – 5. Native English speaking assistants and teachers. In regards to the Madrid bilingual program, there are now 336 primary schools, 98 secondary schools, and 163 private schools. Their curriculum is a combination of Colombian, American, and international standards, as reflected in the percentage of subjects taught in English and in Spanish. Since 1996, the British Council has made a significant investment in bilingual education, alongside the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. 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/. School address: Urbanización Torrequebrada, Calle Ronda del Golf Este, 7 – 11, 29639 Benalmádena, Málaga When we think of a bilingual school, it is easy to assume that all classes must be taught in both of the chosen languages fairly equally, but in Spain that is not the case owing to a shortage of … Dual Language: Two-Way Spanish. , where more students study in English than any other region (52.3% in elementary school and 33.7% in high school). As in our introduction, the school you choose for your child will depend on your unique circumstances. The popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that many regions have been unable to keep up with demand. Sotogrande International School. P.S. 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. Benalmádena International College S.L. 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