In 1998 Iale became the first bilingual infant and primary school in Valencia to be authorised at a national level. 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. Top international schools in Valencia and Alicante, Comparing some of the best international schools in Alicante. School address: Urbanización Torrequebrada, Calle Ronda del Golf Este, 7 – 11, 29639 Benalmádena, Málaga In this article, we discuss the Spanish education system and outline what to consider when selecting a bilingual school for your child. Researching where to send your children to school is very important – and bilingual education can make this research more complex. 10 Reasons Why You Should Consider Relocating. However, with the right care and attention, you can select an educational environment that will help your child excel, in both English and Spanish. 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 … The popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that, . Educational leaders like Dr. Sanchez implement policies for 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. Bilingual education can often be the most effective when children are beginning preschool or elementary school. The Spanish education system is divided into three groups: state schools, state-subsidised private schools, and independent schools, which include most international schools. 150 W 105th St., New York, NY. Schools provide vocational skills, creative opportunities, athletic opportunities, and much more. 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. Their curriculum is a combination of Colombian, American, and international standards, as reflected in the percentage of subjects taught in English and in Spanish. By having native English teachers teaching the language. Ábaco Asesoría Legal y Fiscal, S.L.U. Since 1996, the British Council has made a significant investment in bilingual education, alongside the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. This “Bilingual Project” has been pioneering for both Spain and Europe, and has inspired other governments and education authorities to develop multilingual education and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) projects in their schools. They are so resilient and adaptable. Why choosing a Boarding School in Spain? 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? Where to Live in Spain: Malaga and the Costa del Sol, The Spanish Property Magazine: Living and Lifestyle. The popularity of bilingual schools has risen so dramatically that many regions have been unable to keep up with demand. 2. Bilingual inclusive education in Madrid, Spain: Deaf and hearing pupils | Inclusive Education in Action And I’m not talking about learning hundreds of (useless) vocabulary lists. Agora International School Madrid is a private, bilingual international school in Madrid. 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. 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! That said, older children have taken this path and have done so very successfully. We support training initiatives in collaboration with Education authorities and share our expertise at conferences nationally and internationally. They accuse regional governments of using students as a testing ground … “I believe that a school that advertises itself as “bilingual” should offer an equal number of subjects in each language.ie. They do offer scholarships, but they are largely for students at the Bachillerato level. The third language program currently includes Spanish and Chinese (Mandarin). Sunland international School (SUNLAN) Asturias. 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. However, the route you take will depend on your specific circumstances. “Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience of bilingual (English/Spanish) education in Spain. Calpe Junior School. Some experts argue that it has been rolled out too quickly where demand is high, thus compromising the quality of education. The regional government did not supervise the teachers’ progress,” he adds.”, “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. The International School Estepona is West Marbella’s leading primary school and nursery, situated in El Paraiso, Estepona, in the heart of “The New Golden Mile” on the Costa del Sol, Spain.The School is set in a secure fenced compound of 3,700 sq metres which includes ample car parking. 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. The implementation of this program occurred in three phases. Lower the prices in the private schools or raise the level of English spoken by Spanish teachers in the state schools. 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. 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. Whichever route you choose, many parents want their children to learn both languages. The British College. The British Council is proud of our legacy in Spain promoting, developing and supporting bilingual education. The Master’s Degree in Bilingual Education will help meet the current demand for experts in the field of bilingual teaching and learning. 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. up to age 5 or 6) children. Learning another language is an incredible opportunity and one that you’ll doubtless want to share with your children. But experts say there is not enough analysis or objective data on the effect of bilingual learning. Join us as we share experiences and essential updates, advice & assistance related to living in and moving to Spain. As in our introduction, the school you choose for your child will depend on your unique circumstances. 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. Both educational systems offer excellent opportunities for learning, so you can choose the school that’s right for you with confidence. In our case, half of the subjects in English, and the other half in Spanish. 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. History of Bilingual Education in Spain The most successful program began in the capital city of Madrid in the year 2004. You’ll want to make sure there’s likely to be consistent provision for bilingual education to ensure standards are maintained. 212-678-2857 P.S. How happy are you with the level of English of the teachers giving the classes? 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. 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. ¡ Olé ! Ideal for children growing up in a bilingual environment. In our case, half of the subjects in English, and the other half in Spanish. Joshua fitted in and adapted from day one. B-53402624. Some children do acquire good language skills but usually because of the support they receive outside the school”. 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! Iale International School: One of the best schools in Valencia. By bringing in native-speaking teachers, begin at infant level and not enforce it on a school that is not appropriately equipped. Some 95% of Spanish students at bilingual schools have chosen to be taught in English.”. Start in pre-school. He has a talent for connecting with everyone he meets that shines at his school too. 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, … In the 2010-2011 period, 240,154 students were studying in a bilingual program in one of Spain’s regions (except Catalonia, which does not provide data). ” 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. 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). The Bilingual and Biliteracy in Spanish Certificate of Achievement is a 16-credit program composed of four 4-credit courses. Before sharing my findings and thoughts on bilingual schools in Spain, I’d like to share our Spanish education story so far with you …. However, we know it’s not the same in other schools in the same town.”, My kids attend a semi-private school (colegio concertado) but they follow the Comunidad de Madrid curriculum. I do not intend to make any school look good or bad. Our children never fail to amaze me. teachers. This pages gives a comprehensive overview of bilingual schools or international schools in 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). Founded in 1987, this institution based in Valencia is a private and mixed British school offering a... Elians. “We began without qualified teachers, and CLIL training – the European methodology to learn a new language through other subjects such as mathematics – is voluntary. Bilingual (English/Spanish) nursery and primary school in Benavista, Estepona, founded in 2004. https://familylifeinspain.com/2018/03/bilingual-education-spain-time-make-decision. For those entering the School at Year 7, a special beginner class is offered in one, or sometimes two, second languages. Before sharing my thoughts and findings with you, I’d like to clarify what I understand as “bilingual education”. The linguistic model chosen by the regions with their own language varies per community. Should you opt for local state schools, private international schools or bilingual schools in Spain? Mayfair International Academy. 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. ... a service that promotes international students’ employment in top companies throughout Spain. 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. We were looking for bilingual education. They are required to teach the Spanish curriculum, including primary and … However, if you aren’t a competent Spanish speaker, you may find this challenging. 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. 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). 239 30850 Totana, Murcia, Spain Tel: 34 968 424386 She knew him well! Each year this program continues to grow based on the success rate. 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. 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. I think the teachers, if not native, should demonstrate an advanced level of the language, both written and spoken.”. However, the downside is these schools often come with high fees and less contact with Spanish language and culture. 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. This “Bilingual Project” has been pioneering for both Spain and Europe, and has inspired other governments and education authorities to develop multilingual education and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) projects in their schools. Another advantage of studying abroad … Capacity building. International schools in other Spanish locations Caxton College. And they are really good at teaching! However, a recent article in El Pais has criticised the project. By September 2022 we will be at full capacity, with 3 forms of entry in each year group. 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. International Schools or Schools with bilingual Programs: Andalucia. As a result, bilingual education is gaining popularity in both the state and private sectors. Too many kids are unable to say or write a simple sentence after 6 years of English…. The British Council have been involved in attempting to improve the level of education in Spain offered in English …. For instance, it’s likely you’ll find helping with homework or communicating with teachers difficult. And they are really good at teaching! We wanted our children to be educated in their mother tongue, in English, as well as their adopted Spanish. 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. And I’m not talking about learning hundreds of (useless) vocabulary lists. Founded in 2004, DC Bilingual Public Charter School now serves more than 400 students in grades PreK3 – 5. The Columbus School is one of the most sought-after bilingual schools in Medellin. The Columbus School caters to students from K4 to high school. Surrounded by native speakers, you will learn the language faster. Teaching in a bilingual school in Madrid definitely has so many positives! 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. My daughters (7 and 9) can have short conversations in English, enjoy watching English TV and have also started reading in English. Your children will be able to continue with a familiar curriculum taught in their native language with small classes and high-quality facilities. (Anghel, Cabrales & Carro, 2015) 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. For instance, if your budget allows, you may choose to send them to a private international school. In regards to the Madrid bilingual program, there are now 336 primary schools, 98 secondary schools, and 163 private schools. 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. Another advantage of studying abroad … Where 30.5 % of elementary school students and 28.6 % of elementary school students in! Make any school look good or bad learning hundreds of ( useless ) lists! Within the academic, social and sports limits in Alicante – and schools! Your budget allows, you may find this challenging to university or enter Vocational training Spain has many independent... 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