14 - 20 March 2019
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COSTA DEL SOL
Special The best option for your child’s education HEN it comes to your children’s education international schools in Spain offer some of the best options available. They are highly popular not just with expats recently arrived in the country but also longer term residents and the Spanish population seeking the very best teaching and learning environments for young students. The Spanish university system has its advantages, such as relatively low university fees but many people want their children to have the opportunity to study elsewhere such as in the UK. This means students must have a high level of English for example and languages are an area in which international schools score highly. Local state schools do often offer good chances of children mixing with the local community and forming local
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friendships, but of course, the standard of your child’s education is largely dependent on your teacher and that can be something of a lottery. At the same time the Spanish educational system has often been criticised for its old fashioned, non creative teaching methods. According to EU studies Spain has some of the highest drop-out rates in the EU. On the other hand private and international schools, colleges and academies can be found widely throughout the Costa del Sol. Teaching is available either in Spanish or English - and International schools tailored for German, French and other European communities are also available. This makes the independent sector one of the most viable options for international parents. Their children will be taught in their native language - or in combination
UNIVERSITY: In Salamanca.
MULTINATIONAL STUDENTS: Cheerful students during a lesson in the lecture hall. with Spanish. Many of these schools and colleges accept children from the age of three to 18, ensuring continuity throughout a child’s education. While state schools plunge children straight into the new language and cul-
ture, private English academies allow children to adjust to these changes at their own pace; and generally provide a high standard of education. Parents can also select the private school based on the course or curriculum they wish their child to follow, which can range from the Spanish Bachillerato or the International Baccalaureate (IB) to British GCSEs and Alevels or even the American High School Diploma and college entrance examinations.