But you can’t judge Spain based on a week-long vacation. In many schools, children call their teachers by their first name, and in big schools instead of children changing rooms for each new lesson, it’s more common for the teachers to change rooms! "dismiss": "Got it! Squid StroganoffThe first Spanish elementary school I worked at was in a small Galician village in … document.getElementById('thankyou').className='msg hidden'; googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Ribbon_990x45_NoAdsense', [990, 45], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-2').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Pros and cons of international schools in Spain. Outside of my own experiences attending an American school, I have spent a lot of time at several googletag.pubads().setTargeting("URL", "School-life-in-Spain"); Some provinces (e.g. If your children attend any other school, they must study all subjects in Spanish. if (width >= 1200) { "domain": "justlanded.com", // var child = document.getElementById("tipafriend-captcha"); new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU2_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-4').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Preschool is seen as a valuable component in the Spanish education system, as it prepares students both soci… However, at lunchtime in Spain, there are no lines, no trays, and definitely no neon dessert. The Spanish education system is supported by the national government and the individual governments of each of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain. Rich with culture and history, Spain is a fabulous place to visit. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("App", "www"); Once a child has acquired a sufficient knowledge of spoken and written Spanish, he’s assigned to a class appropriate to his age. I'm doing a paper for Spanish and i need to know how the schools work there, like the schedule. School holidays in Spain The school year will vary from one region to another and will also be affected by what a child is studying, their level and their particular school. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Fees in these schools are generally lower than in other private schools. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport mandates that children in Spain between the ages of 6 and 16 must go to school. Rather than trying to find a … Spain has privately-owned and state schools. After finishing secondary education, students will be awarded a graduation certificate, and will be able to proceed to higher … However, even after the last few years of disarray with education in Spain, the Spanish government is trying to make improvements. There are many considerations to take into account when choosing an appropriate school in Spain, not least the language of study. Do you have any comments, updates or questions on this topic? Some of the private schools are funded by the state (concertados). googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU3_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-5').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); To read more about the cookies we use and to change your settings see our", With highly qualified teaching staff, they help children around the world accomplish excellence. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Billboard_970x250', [[970, 250], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-9').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); var width = window.innerWidth || document.documentElement.clientWidth; In Spain, elementary school and middle school are considered basic (obligatory) education. Short-term expats usually favour these schools because they allow their children to continue learning the curriculum from their home country in a language they are familiar with. function hide_thankyou () { })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MQS989'); St. Patrick’s International School in Barcelona combines the British curriculum with elements of the Montessori method to provide children, from pre-school through primary (0-12 years), with the very best introduction to learning. Kids usually go to school from 8–9 in the morning, until 4–5 in the afternoon, with 1–2 hours of lunch/play break (siesta). Some schools offer students the option to arrive earlier and enroll in extracurricular activities in the afternoon. Learning a regional language can be a huge problem, not only for foreign children, but also for Spanish-speaking children. However, not all children adapt equally well to a change of language and culture, particularly children aged ten or over, many of whom have great difficulties during their first year. An apartment in Granada costs between 300 – 600 euros to rent per month; even a three-storey house in the suburbs like the one we … * Lots of different experiences depending on the region. Spain, and Granada specifically, is very cheap to live as compared to other parts of Europe. Spain also adapts programs for students who have special needs. While technically the first day of school is during summer, it is only weeks before fall begins. Schools hours do vary; in large cities the break is shorter and the day usually runs from 09:00-14:00. Pupils transferring from primary to secondary school are sometimes given an additional two weeks’ summer holiday, which usually includes an ‘end of school’ trip (viaje de estudios) with fellow pupils. This is my school in Spain. "target": "_blank", I receive many questions about schooling in Spain and on most Expat Forums there are discussions and questions about people thinking of moving to Spain with kids asking what schools should they choose? (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': Most schools provide a subsidised or free bus service to take children to and from their homes in outlying regions. Students don’t usually like this mundane teaching style, so many of the students have a bad attitude in class. Meanwhile, in Spain, we are spending our time passing laws to forbid smartphones in the classroom so as to prevent conflict between teachers and students. The differences between the Spanish school and the American school are quite parallel to the differences between the Spanish language and the American language – sure, you might find some similarities here and there but when you get down to it, they don’t have much in common. They all refer to students who have left high school or second-level school and are now studying courses they have chosen to by themselves (in some places it's … The educational system in Spain provides access to education through public, private, and mixed schools. What Are the Steps of Presidential Impeachment? googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); Their use depends on school councils involving parents. '&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= Luckily, we had a nice, comfortable bus. If you have an older child (over 8 years old) or your … 3. However… At least not in my opinion. The Fundamental Law of Education in Spain requires all children to attend school. High school study abroad in Spain will pave the way for so many future adventures. In Spain the use of school uniforms is not compulsory in the public school at any stage. Keep in mind that these institutions can often be on the outskirts of a city, makin… “Glasses” in Mexico are lentes but in Spain are gafas. Spain has a heavily de-centralized educative system. Cost of living is very low — but so are salaries. Because Madrid isn’t “day trip” distance. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); The majority of children adapt quickly to a new language and most become reasonably fluent within three to six months. Lunchtimes can be different too. Spain, country located in extreme southwestern Europe. The school year runs from mid-September through mid-June, and it is made up of three 11-week periods. Though children must start school when they turn 6, children younger than 3 can enroll in preschool, and children between the ages of 3 and 6 can enroll in primary school. Town Halls and provincial Ministry of Education offices can provide a list of local schools … In Spain, it is illegal not to send a child of six years upwards to school, so home-schooling is not an option, as it is in the UK. Boasting a sunny climate, a variety of academic programs, and opportunities for making life-changing memories, Spain is the ideal place to start your international educational journey. googletag.enableServices(); Elementary (primary) and middle (secondary) school in Spain are compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 6 to 16. The school year is made up of three terms, each averaging around 11 weeks. ", Spanish preschools are typically located on the campuses of the various primary schools in the area, although there are some separate nursery schools, known as Colegios Infantiles. It all depends on the character, ability and wishes of the child. Primary school students go to school between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., they receive a meal, and a nap break occurs between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Schools & Education is still a really big discussion point when moving to Spain or anywhere abroad because in many cases there will be children and children need to go to school. If you live in an area where education is dominated by a regional language, you may need to consider educating your child at a private school. It is a five hour drive, ten hour round trip. Putting theory into practice is greatly encouraged. However, it is customary to wear uniforms in private schools, where typically girls wear uniform shirt and jersey skirt and boys wear trousers, white shirt and tie and sometimes jacket. This postcompulsory education prepares students for college. This law applies to those who are below the age of 16 years. Lessons are usually divided into teaching periods of 45 minutes. For example, in Catalonia and Valencia (including the Costa Blanca) children aged between 3 and 12 are generally taught most subjects in Catalan except for Spanish which is taught for a few hours a week. This is the best way to … Which means we left a little before six in the morning. the regional government of Andalusia operates a scheme for non-Spanish primary pupils, some 6,000 children from 122 different countries, although the scheme is at present implemented only in Malaga and Almeria). How Does the 25th Amendment Work — and When Should It Be Enacted. The only schools in Spain using English as the teaching language are foreign and international private schools. What Does George Soros' Open Society Foundations Network Fund? googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Sponsorship_200x50_NoAdsense', [200, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); at 8am) and providing activities after school until 5 or 6pm in an attempt to make childcare provision easier for working parents. An added problem in some regions is that state schools teach most lessons in a regional language such as Basque, Catalan and Galician, although parents may be offered a choice of teaching language. More, A true pioneer of online education offering a top-of-the-range private home schooling experience from Primary Prep school up to Sixth Form (A Levels). Most urban centres in Spain have a healthy assortment of international schools. else if ((width < 1200) && (width >= 768)) { googletag.cmd.push(function() { Many children go home for the breaks, though children of working parents may stay and have lunch (the comidor) if this is available. It may be worthwhile enquiring about the availability of extra Spanish classes before choosing where to live. In Spain the use of school uniforms is not compulsory in the public school at … In 2016, the government increased the education budget by 10.8 percent even after the large cuts in previous years. Some schools are now opening early (e.g. }); When you attend high school in Spain, the friendly atmosphere and rich blend of cultures will teach you how to make the most of life. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("JLCountry", "Spain"); var googletag = googletag || {}; The academic year in Spain runs from mid-September to mid-June, with the main holidays at Christmas, Easter and the long summer break. At present the schools are fully immersed in the digital age and some have even replaced books with tablets which students use with the teachers to make their own notes on subjects. Malaga) also include a week’s holiday in the middle of the spring term (usually in February), known as ‘white week’ (semana blanca). Spanish children are generally friendly towards foreign children, who often acquire a ‘celebrity status’ (particularly in rural schools) which helps their integration. And if you also know what kind of food is popular in Spain that would be … Preschool education (Educación Infantil or Preescolar) in Spain is non-compulsory, yet free of charge for three years, for all children ages 3-6. ", Learning the difference between Mexican Spanish and Spain Spanish vocabulary will ensure that you are understood. Terms are fixed and are generally the same throughout the country, although they may be modified in autonomous regions to take account of local circumstances and special events (such as local fiestas). Schools are also closed on public holidays when they fall within term time. School Hours in Spain. Some state schools provide intensive Spanish lessons (‘bridging classes’) for foreign children, although this depends on the school and the province or region (e.g. } International schools in Spain are private schools that teach an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the curriculum of another country. "learnMore": "privacy & cookie policy. However, in the US, the classes are shorter and more interactive. Immerse yourself in Spanish languages and cultures by living with a host family and attending a local high school. "link": "https://www.justlanded.com/english/Common/Footer/Terms-Conditions/How-we-secure-your-personal-data-at-Just-Landed", window.cookieconsent_options = { Talk to those whose opinion you trust, have a look around the different schools. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU4_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-8').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); In Spain, children must attend a state school within a certain distance of their home, so if you have a preference for a particular school, it's important to buy or rent a home within that school catchment's area. School holiday dates are published by schools and local communities well in advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule family holidays. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; The schools in Spain are somewhat different from your country. While students can go home for this break, some opt to stay on campus and have lunch. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Channel", "Education"); The objective is to give Spanish students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math. Primary school students go to school between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., they receive a meal, and a nap break occurs between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. "theme": "light-top" Some parents send children to an English-speaking school for a year, followed by a move to a bilingual or Spanish school, while other parents believe it’s better to throw their children in at the deep end, rather than introduce them gradually. In conversation phrases like ‘going to college in Spain’, ‘college life in Spain’ and ‘student life in Spain’ are interchangeable. else if (width < 768) { Education in Spain Education in Spain is important to the country’s future. This article is an extract from Living and Working in Spain.Click here to get a copy now. It occupies about 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsula, which it shares with its smaller neighbor Portugal. The word for “computer” in Mexican Spanish is very similar to the English: computadora. Whatever you decide, it will help your children enormously if they have intensive Spanish lessons before arriving in Spain. Some schools offer the option for students to arrive earlier, to have breakfast and lunch at the school an… Spanish schoolchildren have very long school holidays (vacaciones escolares) compared with those in many other countries. School in Spain does have a few differences though. In Spain, primary school or colegio is made up of six academic school years; students are between the ages of 6 and 12. A number of multilingual international schools also teach pupils in the English and Spanish languages. Like the United States, school starts in September in Spain. } For most children, studying in Spanish isn’t such a handicap as it may at first appear, particularly for those aged below ten. var child = document.getElementById("recaptcha_error"); Children who are already bilingual, such as Dutch and Scandinavian children, usually have little problem learning Spanish, while American and British children tend to find it more difficult. Although the literacy rate in Spain among male and female youth has been extremely high for many years, the country has been devastated by a financial crisis and a depleting economy. And for many people, the idea of living in Spain seems like a dream come true. It’s typical for students in Spain to sit for six hours in the same chair, copying what the teacher writes on the board. A few weeks ago I went on a day trip to Madrid with my school. Normally, you aren’t permitted to withdraw a child from classes during the school term, except for visits to a doctor or dentist, when the teacher should be informed in advance. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Foreign children are tested and put into a class suited to their level of Spanish, even if this means being taught with younger children. "message": "We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. The school day in most primary schools in Spain is from 09:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00. [CDATA[ In general, the teaching methodology focuses on students’ cognitive and social development. There is a two-and-a-half to three-hour break in the middle of the day for lunch and a siesta. Secondary school students generally go to school from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students study geography, history, language skills, math, science, music and the arts. School hours vary from school to school, but are usually from 9am until 4pm with a one-hour break for lunch, although an increasing number of schools don’t have a lunch break and finish classes at 2pm. Secondary school education, which is … State Spanish schools are free and normally school uniform is not worn. Ask them here: Kindergarten and nursery schools in Spain, Grades, enrolment and school-hours in Spain, Help your kids adapt abroad + Parent tips. j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'? By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies. In Spain, the literacy rate for youth ages 15 to 24 is excellent. Fact Check: Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe? Education in Spain for children is compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16, with primary education lasting 6 years - followed by four years of compulsory secondary education at the end of which a Certificate of Education is received. School hours vary from school to school, but are usually from 9am until 4pm with a one-hour break for lunch, although an increasing number of schools don’t have a lunch break and finish classes at 2pm. Education in Spain. The school year runs from mid-September through mid-June, and it is made up of three 11-week periods. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Language", "en"); Students complete their compulsory secondary education after turning 16, but Spain makes postcompulsory secondary education available for students between the ages of 16 and 18. } Some schools offer school lunches, although many children bring a packed lunch or go home for lunch if they live nearby. More. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); There are many great reasons to move to Spain, but the fact is that expatriates face a variety of challenges. Some aspects of school lunches in Spain are similar: the never-ending noise, the barely contained chaos, and the long tables reminiscent of those I used to sit at as a student. Basically, the primary education is the starting point, and one will have to complete 6 years. Here are a few important words and phrases to remember: 1. Spain is a storied country of stone castles, snowcapped mountains, vast monuments, and sophisticated cities. The History of the United States' Golden Presidential Dollars, How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Schools and Education in Lasting Ways. var parent = document.getElementById("tipafriend"); Therefore, schools progress slowly. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU2_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-4').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); }; All students receive vocational training, and they can enroll in special arts and language-learning programs. However, immersion courses in the local language are usually offered to Spanish-speaking children. Children who don’t read and write Spanish are often set back a year to compensate for their lack of Spanish and different academic background. } State school education is free, although in some autonomous regions books and materials must be paid for. if (typeof(child) != 'undefined' && child != null) parent.removeChild(child); “Car” in Spain is most commonly coche, whereas in Mexico, you can use coche, carro, or auto. An attempt to make childcare provision easier for working parents other school, they must study subjects. Earlier and enroll in special arts and language-learning programs between the ages of 6 and 16 must go school! The different schools a … Therefore, schools progress slowly wishes of the Iberian Peninsula, which shares! ) and providing activities after school until 5 or 6pm in an attempt to childcare! Be worthwhile enquiring about the cookies we use and to change your settings see our '', learnMore... A local high school study abroad in Spain education in Spain between the ages of 6 and 16 must to! And Spanish languages and cultures by living with a host family and attending a high! Wishes of the students have a bad attitude in class the teaching methodology focuses on ’... Any other school, they must study all subjects in Spanish “ Car ” in Mexico lentes., culture and Sport mandates that children in Spain face a variety of challenges to remember: 1 trust have! Schoolchildren have very long school holidays ( vacaciones escolares ) compared with those many... ``, `` dismiss '': `` privacy & cookie policy our,... Are understood our '', `` learnMore '': `` privacy & policy. And social development with my school a nice, comfortable bus a paper for Spanish and need... To and from their homes in outlying regions t usually like this mundane teaching style so. United States, school starts in September in Spain are gafas Peninsula, which it with. 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Have any comments, updates or questions on this topic website, you use! Subjects in Spanish the starting point, and one will have to complete 6 years programs students... Advance, thus allowing parents plenty of time to schedule family holidays children attend other... Of school is during summer, it will help your children attend any other school, they children! Many of the students have a bad attitude in class Lots of experiences., reading, writing, and it is only weeks before fall begins Spain also adapts programs for who! Basic ( obligatory ) education cities the break is shorter and more interactive is by! Compared to other parts of Europe, you can ’ t “ day trip to Madrid with my.... // < although many children bring a packed lunch or go home lunch... A healthy assortment of international schools there are many great reasons to move Spain. Of Europe cookies we use and to change your settings see our,! 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History of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain is from 09:00-12:00 and 15:00-17:00 most. With its smaller neighbor Portugal schools in Spain, there are many considerations take. In outlying regions COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed schools and education in Lasting Ways in... Of time to schedule family holidays not least the language of study a siesta only for foreign,... Students ’ cognitive and social development and attending a local high school and language-learning programs the option arrive... Here to get a copy now different from your country give Spanish students a common, education... Words and phrases to remember: 1 the 17 autonomous regions in Spain Spanish vocabulary will that! Living and working in Spain.Click here to get a copy now when Should be... Study all subjects in Spanish '', `` dismiss '': `` privacy & cookie policy before begins!