The ABC Of PlurilingualismIn Andalusia

6th-10th MAY 2013

Córdoba Spain STUDY VISIT PROGRAMME

Bilingual Schools

in Slovakia

They have two options on how to come into existence:

to adopt the curriculum and graduation requirements of another country by an international contract

to teach at least three subjects in a stated

foreign language each year

Teaching of these subjects is possible in a foreign language only, or part of the curriculum may be divided with some topics taught in the native language whilst the rest in the foreign language.

Teaching selected subjects in a foreign language has to cover the same content as teaching these subjects in the native language. Therefore the number of years for studies is increased by one more year. During that year students should achieve B1 level of European Framework for Languages. Students have up to 20 lessons of English language divided into different subjects per week during that year.

From the second year of studies the subjects can be taught in a foreign language as the secondary teaching language. The students have to graduate at C1 level and achieve the State Exam on this level. In case they choose two subject to graduate from in a foreign language they will achieve specialized state exam, focusing either on• natural sciences or • humanities.

During their last year of studies the students are being prepared to successfully pass the international exams (CAE,ESOL…) at C1 level.

The majority of bilingual schools in Slovakia are Slovak – English but there are some German, Spanish, French and Russian. They not only focus on preparing students to study foreign languages in university, but their aim is to prepare the students to use their knowledge of foreign languages in university for the study of all fields.

Bilingual schools in Slovakia are very popular. In Kosice, approximately a quarter of all secondary students studies at Bilingual high schools.

The school I work for, Secondary grammar school St. Edita Stein, has had a bilingual branch for only two years. The Work ethic of our teaching staff is at a very high level. The school has been awarded the International Certificate in teaching English and American literature. The school is for appealing for students. There is a great interest from students wanting to study at our school.

The city of Košice - the European Capital City of Culture in 2013

Thank you for your attention.

Mária