What language is spoken in schools in Spain?

Spain's primary language is Castilian Spanish. 99% of Spaniards speak Spanish. It's commonly used in schools, media, TV, entertainment, music, and government websites. If you know Spanish, you can survive and even thrive in Spain!

Are schools in Spain bilingual?

In the current school period, there are 369 bilingual public schools and 152 bilingual secondary schools in English-Spanish. In addition, there are 15 schools with French departments, 7 of which offer a dual-degree programme (Secondary Education-Baccalaureate) and 4 schools with German departments.

Does Spain have English in school?

Spanish is the main language of instruction, but many schools also offer bilingual education in Spanish and English. In Catalonia, Catalan language is a mandatory subject until Grade 10 for students holding a Spanish passport .

Is Catalan taught in schools in Spain?

Catalan is the main language in all public schools in Catalonia, most of the private schools use Catalan as well but not all of them. If you want your children to go to public schools in Catalonia they will get most of the curriculum in Catalan but will learn Castilian-Spanish as well.

What type of Spanish do we learn in school?

Textbooks tend to be written with Andalusian or Castilian grammar, but American teachers are usually more familiar with Latin American Spanish and will use Latin American phonology. The Spanish teachers who are native speakers will always speak in their native dialect, but generally using textbook Spanish grammar.

Top Language Schools In Spain

What do children learn in school in Spain?

Students study the following subjects throughout Primary education: Spanish language (lengua), Maths (mates), Conocimiento del Medio, also known as Cono (a general knowledge subject which includes biology, history, geography, general and local knowledge and social awareness, Physical Education (Educación Física or EP); ...

How are Spanish schools different from English?

The Spanish education system has so far placed a greater emphasis on rote learning and memorising, with less focus on critical thinking and creativity. The British education system places a greater emphasis on developing critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and creativity.

Do schools in Spain teach other languages?

It is compulsory to learn Castilian Spanish at all schools, even where Spanish is not the main language. In regions with other languages, it is also compulsory to learn the co-official language – for example, Catalan in Catalonia. In addition, children must learn a foreign language, which in many cases is English.

Is it better to learn Spanish or Catalan?

So, Spanish will be the most versatile language without a shadow of a doubt. However, learning Catalan may be a good idea if you plan to settle in Catalonia long-term. Locals prefer speaking Catalan to each other and, even if their Spanish proficiency is high, will appreciate you speaking Catalan with them.

Do Catalans consider themselves Spanish?

Most residents of Catalonia considered themselves equally Catalan and Spanish.

How long is the school day in Spain?

Spanish school hours depend on each type of school. Some may run from 9 am through 5 pm with a two hour lunch break. Other schools may begin at 8 and end at 3 pm, the typical lunch time in Spain. Some schools may have only a one hour lunch break and may or may not provide a cafeteria for children to eat at the school.

What do Spanish students call their teachers?

'Teacher' can be translated into Spanish as maestro (pronounced mah-EYS-troh) or profesor (pronounced proh-fay-SOHR). The two words have gender, so if we are referring to a woman, who is professionally engaged in teaching, we will say maestra (mah-EYS-trah) or profesora (proh-fay-soh-RAH).

Do kids in Spain walk to school?

Although most families in Spain do own a car or two, sprawling suburban-style carlines for dropoff and pickup don't really happen as many kids walk with their parents to school (or on their own) or a bus picks them up.

How long is a school year in Spain?

Schooling is mandatory from 6 to 16. The school year goes from mid-September to mid-June, this may vary as it tends to start later and end later for older school years, and there are variations depending on the region.

What is a typical school like in Spain?

Some schools run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a two-hour lunch break from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Other schools begin at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., the typical lunchtime in Spain. When school gets out, everyone is free to go home for the most important meal of the day (according to Spanish eating customs).

Is school in Spain free?

Public schools in Spain

The standard of the public school system in Spain is high. These schools are free for all children to attend, including expats, as long as they have registered on the municipal register, or empadronamiento, at their local town hall.

Is it OK to speak Spanish in Catalonia?

According to the law, both Catalan and Spanish – being official languages – can be used by the citizens without prejudice in all public and private activities even though the Generalitat usually uses only Catalan in its communications and notifications addressed to the general population.

Is it OK to speak English in Barcelona?

The overwhelming majority of Barcelona's residents consider themselves fully bilingual. That means they can switch from Catalan to Spanish with ease. What is more, there are more and more people who understand and speak English and other international languages.

Can you understand Catalan if you speak Spanish and French?

Most Catalan words have well-known cognates in Spanish, and many of the others have cognates in French (often it's both).

Is Spain's education system good?

To enter university in Spain, students must have received their Bachillerato certificate as well as have passed their university entrance exams known as 'Selectividad'. Spain's higher education sector is excellent, and it attracts not only Spanish students but also students from abroad.

Do students in Spain wear uniforms?

You will struggle to find a school that has a school uniform for students in Spain, they prefer a much more casual approach! The kids wear their own trainers, t-shirts and shorts and even the teachers dress in a much more relaxed way than teachers in the UK.

What month does school start in Spain?

Schools generally start the academic year in August and end in May. The school year is divided into four quarters. School holidays in Spain also include public holidays observed in the country.

What time do kids go to school in Spain?

The timetable at public schools is usually 7 hours a day, Monday-Friday, but varies slightly depending on the school, the region and the age of the children. Starting times in the morning vary. Primary school in Spain usually begins at 9am, in secondary school, the norm is 8 am.

What age do you finish school in Spain?

In Spain, only primary and secondary education is mandatory. So compulsory education starts at the age of 6 and lasts until 16. After 16, it's up to students if they want to pursue higher education or not.

Do they have Gcses in Spain?

In KEY STAGE 4, during Year 10 and Year 11, students prepare for their I/GCSE (International/General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations, taken at the end of Year 11. This is the 'ESO' equivalent in Spain and can be convalidated by Spanish and European law.