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British kids in schools in Spain

11K views 54 replies 9 participants last post by  Pesky Wesky 
#1 ·
Some of you may want to comment on this
Overseas education: British kids experience education problems in Spain - Analysis - TES Connect

And whilst we're on the subject of education...
I've seen lots of factual stuff on other forums, but what I haven't seen is a wide spectrum of more subjective views on the types of education available here, comparisons to the UK, advatages and disadvantages etc. Just a lot of different peoples' views and experiences together in one thread. Any contributions to be made??
 
#3 ·
Some of you may want to comment on this
Overseas education: British kids experience education problems in Spain - Analysis - TES Connect

And whilst we're on the subject of education...
I've seen lots of factual stuff on other forums, but what I haven't seen is a wide spectrum of more subjective views on the types of education available here, comparisons to the UK, advatages and disadvantages etc. Just a lot of different peoples' views and experiences together in one thread. Any contributions to be made??
OOPs, sorry, maybe this wasn't clear.
What i haven't seen is lot of different peoples' views and experiences together in one thread, and that's what I would be interested to see.
 
#4 ·
Well this is my opinion of the Spanish education system based on my daughters 6 month trial at a state school.

The teachers were strict but friendly which I liked. The Spanish pupils were fine, the english pupils there were in the main not intergrating, were not academic, not interested in learning anything and were simply there cos the law states they have to go to school (altho it would be interesting to know what their attendance records were like!!). As a result the school tried to put on extra Spanish lessons and extra homework to help, but the english kids didnt bother and I suspect their parents could or wouldnt help them because of a variety of reasons!!. My daughter didnt really get on with the Spanish cos they didnt like the english kids and the english kids werent really her type! She did make friends with a Spànish bilingual girl who was sweet, but unfortunately hanging around with a "guiri" wasnt the done thing.

I would conclude that there alot of British families who move out here without giving their childrens schooling much thought and dont take it seriously. Its fine when they're tiny and can start without prejudice and open to learning, but as they get older they will fall into the "tribal" them and us. It may not be a violent war, but its an undercurrent. I dont blame the Spanish kids or the education system, I think its cos there are too many British in these schools and they herd together, its actually better if there are only one or two in a school, then they're more of a novelty and not a "pack". Whats really needed in my opinion are some State British schools, where they are taught the Spanish curriculum and gradually learn the spanish language.

Jo xxx
 
#5 ·
I have no first hand experience of this given that my kids finished their education in the UK ... But I would suggest that part of the problem with integration for the older kids is compounded by the fact that their parents dont speak or write Spanish either - so with the best will in the World on the part of the schools in giving additional homework and extra Spanish lessons - if the kids parents cant sit down and help them with it, or encourage them to work at it (given that they arent learning themselves!) theres little hope for the kids to crack on with it.

Sue x
 
#16 ·
(PW says : There are plenty of South Americans (Colombians abd Ecuadorians mainly) and although they have the advantage of speaking the same language their school curriculum doesn't match the Spanish one well and they often end up repeating a year.)

Yes, absolutely true here as well...my twins have just started first year of ESO and they have children who have often repeated throughout now in their class. Bearing in mind my twins are 11 - they have two boys now in their class of 15 & 14and a girl of 14. One from Uruguay, one from a "gitano" family and the other is just, well, a bit of a problem with bunking off school and causing general trouble. We are starting to hear of a few problems now with those older boys making "comments" to the younger girls in the class. You can imagine, I'm sure. Just their age I know, but I think the school has started to take it seriously and keep on top of things, by calling their parents, etc as apparently it's gotten a bit out of hand in the past.
 
#19 ·
we get an attendance report through the post every couple of weeks, which we have to sign & return

it's not perfect - dd1 was marked 'absent without permission' from one class when the entire year was on a school trip!
 
#24 ·
I think part of the reason why I like my kids in the international school is that I know how it is run, I know what they're learning, I can help with their homework and I can speak the language and communicate my thoughts to the teachers and vice versa! I've often said that I dont care if my kids intergrate into the community, well what I mean is that I care much, much more about their education! One day they'll be grown and I want to know I've done the very best for them. It wont matter then if they intergrated. Quite frankly, from my daughters brief experience in state school, I dont think she would have intergrated anyway, cos the Brit kids there just didnt!

Jo xx
 
#30 ·
My thoughts...

Hi, Jockm here - hoping to go to Logrono mid next year with my husband and 14 (to be) year old daughter...

This topic is of great interest to me, as the one issue that makes me nervous about our move is the desire that my daughter will be able to successfully integrate into Spanish society, learn the language, make Spanish friends, and survive in the Spanish educational system. I have read virtually everything there is to read about schools in Logrono and an international school is not an option for us (they don't exist). Our choice is between the concertados and the IES'.

What makes all this so much easier for us is that my daughter will return to Australia to complete years 11 and 12 (last two years of school), so the risk of a failed education is significantly lessened. (Her dad will still be in Australia). My view is that the experience of having been in Spain will contribute invaluably to her "education" - but I have the insurance that all her future options won't be set on her time in Spain (2 years). I acknowledge I (she) has less to lose given she will finish her schooling in Oz.

Logrono is interesting - British students aren't an issue there (which for me is good, because I am sure my daughter would pal up with them in the first instance because of the language) - but there has been an incredible rise in the number of immigrant students there, with "ghettos" developing in some areas with 60% of the students e.g. morrocan, pakistani, or latin americans. It has been interesting to read that some of the concertados (funded by the public!!) have a relatively tiny immigrant population. One concertado had NO immigrant students! I am yet to work out how that could be!! For Logrono it appears to be early days - grappling with such a massive change in the make-up of the population - although I have read gov't papers addressing the issue and there is a conscious desire to create more of a balance across the schools.

For me, I would not wish to live in a place where Spanish was not the dominant language in the playground - but then I want to be in Spain because I want to be in Spain - and experience its language, culture and people.

The article seems to imply that it is the case that some of these areas would happily cut out the Spanish element altogether (except the weather) if they could, and create a little Britain... I know it is not black and white, and that there is the full gamit of immigrant "types" in Spain. I do know I would be concerned in my own country if I felt that certain groups had no intention of becoming part of the community. I think too that concern exists in the UK towards immigrants...? What do you think?

Un abrazo,
Jockm
 
#31 ·
Hi, Jockm here - hoping to go to Logrono mid next year with my husband and 14 (to be) year old daughter...

This topic is of great interest to me, as the one issue that makes me nervous about our move is the desire that my daughter will be able to successfully integrate into Spanish society, learn the language, make Spanish friends, and survive in the Spanish educational system. I have read virtually everything there is to read about schools in Logrono and an international school is not an option for us (they don't exist). Our choice is between the concertados and the IES'.

What makes all this so much easier for us is that my daughter will return to Australia to complete years 11 and 12 (last two years of school), so the risk of a failed education is significantly lessened. (Her dad will still be in Australia). My view is that the experience of having been in Spain will contribute invaluably to her "education" - but I have the insurance that all her future options won't be set on her time in Spain (2 years). I acknowledge I (she) has less to lose given she will finish her schooling in Oz.

Logrono is interesting - British students aren't an issue there (which for me is good, because I am sure my daughter would pal up with them in the first instance because of the language) - but there has been an incredible rise in the number of immigrant students there, with "ghettos" developing in some areas with 60% of the students e.g. morrocan, pakistani, or latin americans. It has been interesting to read that some of the concertados (funded by the public!!) have a relatively tiny immigrant population. One concertado had NO immigrant students! I am yet to work out how that could be!! For Logrono it appears to be early days - grappling with such a massive change in the make-up of the population - although I have read gov't papers addressing the issue and there is a conscious desire to create more of a balance across the schools.

For me, I would not wish to live in a place where Spanish was not the dominant language in the playground - but then I want to be in Spain because I want to be in Spain - and experience its language, culture and people.

The article seems to imply that it is the case that some of these areas would happily cut out the Spanish element altogether (except the weather) if they could, and create a little Britain... I know it is not black and white, and that there is the full gamit of immigrant "types" in Spain. I do know I would be concerned in my own country if I felt that certain groups had no intention of becoming part of the community. I think too that concern exists in the UK towards immigrants...? What do you think?

Un abrazo,
Jockm
hhhmm, Hi Jockm. 14 is a hellish age IMO!! Not just for education, but hormones, changes, attitudes (oh ATTITUDES!!)... I've got a 14 yo son and I have older daughters and 14 has been a "landmark" for all of mine so far (I love them all to bits and the older ones are wonderful now, BUT.......). I dont know how you're daugther will cope with the change of language, enviroment etc cos all 14 yos are different. again, in my opinion its not the best age to put her into a Spanish school and expect her to pick it all up easily, but who knows. The school will probably put her in a lower year which again amy cause problems socially, but the school will do that because of the language and education issues. However, it will give her a wider knowledge of the world and her place in it. So its not all bad. And as a 14yo, its her job to surprise you, so she could take to it luck a duck to water!!!!!!!

As for immigrants, I've found the worst by far in Spanish schools (certainly in my area) are the British. Other nationalities seem to be more humble and willing and eager to learn. But all schools, teachers and kids are different.

You must let us know how you get on

BTW, I hope I havent come across at too negative or anything, thats not my intention. I guess its having a 14yo with "attitude" myself at the mo


Jo xxx
 
#35 ·
Ah the 14 year olds....

Hi Jo
Not at all - I hear what you are saying. And I can tell you I am reading as much as I can and trying to ensure I have a realistic attitude to the situation. As far as 14 year olds go, does the expression "whatever" resonate with you?!! It's her punch line! Mind you, my daughter has a choice in whether she comes, and I am making sure she understands what might come with that - so it will be her call. At the same time, if she does come, I want it to be a success, and don't want her to be miserable! We have a few advantages, my husband is Argentinian, and I have a degree in spanish, so I will be dedicated to assisting her as much as I can. I also have plans of summer camp before she starts, getting a tutor, etc etc. I will invest all I can in assisting her in coping with the language and the experience more generally.

We also plan to do a reccie in January to talk to the schools and find out if some assistance can be provided in helping my daughter get up to speed - I'm sure after visiting the schools I will have a better feel for things.

I appreciate your open comments about the British - must be hard to make that observation about your kith n' kin!

And also, lovely to speak to you, I have been reading the forum for some time, but thought I should now get involved!

It's night time here, so I shall continue with my after-work wine,

Jock
 
#36 ·
Ooooh!

Oooh, as I was typing that I read your reply Pesky Wesky! You're right, no negativity, and I am here because I want to hear people's thoughts. I certainly will keep you posted - and I also would love to know more about the concertado philosophy - I can't believe that a school funded publicly could find any justification for not having 1 immigrant student when they are 22% of a city's population!
 
#37 ·
"Whatever" is definately no. 1! Followed by, "In a minute", "do I have to", "why should I", "when I've finished this level" (you need to have a PS3/Xbox etc for that one!)......

And another favourite at the moment is "mingin".......... I've sussed it means somethings bad, but what a strange word????? Or am I showing my age??????

Jo xxx
 
#38 ·
Slightly off track...

My daughter joined a group on Facebook called "I'll do it in a minute". I think there is a teen conspiracy. She has a penchant for talking in (what she thinks is) a sarf london accent, so "whatever" is "wo -eva"! I love mingin' - it's a great expression. No doubt you've done "care factor?" - I am convinced I did not speak to my mother in this fashion!!! We will know in December re: Logrono, so we are sweating it big time (see, I can do the lingo!) - but we are very keen, and very much looking forward to wineries!!!
 
#40 ·
My daughter joined a group on Facebook called "I'll do it in a minute". I think there is a teen conspiracy. She has a penchant for talking in (what she thinks is) a sarf london accent, so "whatever" is "wo -eva"! I love mingin' - it's a great expression. No doubt you've done "care factor?" - I am convinced I did not speak to my mother in this fashion!!! We will know in December re: Logrono, so we are sweating it big time (see, I can do the lingo!) - but we are very keen, and very much looking forward to wineries!!!
CARE FACTOR!!! and "Do I look bovvered"?? I wouldnt have dared speak to my mother as mine do to me, but that said, mine arent really rude or disrespectful to me, they're just not as polite as I had to be when I was their age. Altho my mum and I did have our "moments", especially when I went thru my "punk" phase and came home with green hair (Wow, thats a memory that will stay with me!!!)... thats a mum and teenage daughter thing I guess.

Anyway, back to your daughter and your move, I think from what you've said and how you're trying to deal with it, its an experience that will help her to become confident and "worldly wise". The world is no longer a small place, its out there for the next generation to go and make the most of! So the more they see of it, the better as long as they have strong and caring parents looking out for them, encourage them and "try" to guide them!!

Jo xxx
 
#42 ·
We have just moved over to the Costa del Sol with three children aged 16, 12 and 10. They are going to an International School and are absolutely loving it! We felt that it was unfair to plunge them into a Spanish school, and in fact at this International school, a high proportion of the kids there are actually Spanish. Therefore there seems to be no problem at all with integration at all. About a third are Spanish, a third are from the UK and a third from other parts of the world (and that is very wide!). My three all attended state schools in the UK before we moved over, and I have to say, I do feel that we are getting good value for money at this particular International School. I guess I'm saying that those that dismiss the International option on the grounds of 'integration' might be surprised!
 
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