One of the decisions that most parents struggle with when it comes to their children’s education is whether to send them to a bilingual school or not. Is it possible to learn a second language successfully in this type of school? Is such an immersive methodology really beneficial from an early age? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this educational model?

In order for you to determine what is best for your children, we have prepared a clear and detailed guide about what a bilingual school is, what is involved in attending one, its advantages and disadvantages, and what impact it has on a child’s development.

What is a bilingual school?

A bilingual school is an educational centre where students receive a significant part of their education in a foreign language. In most cases, the language chosen is English, but there are also bilingual schools that teach in other languages such as French or German.

In general, the pedagogical model is based on teaching 30-50% of the school timetable in the foreign language, which helps children to develop language skills naturally. However, the most important subjects, such as Spanish and Mathematics, are still taught in the mother tongue.

One of the most important aspects of bilingual education is that children not only learn to speak, read and write in the second language, but they also learn to think in the second language and become fluent in the foreign language.

Advantages and disadvantages of sending your child to a bilingual school

Bilingual schools have many advantages, but they also have certain disadvantages. To help you decide, here are the pros and cons of bilingual schools.

Advantages of bilingual education

  1. Proficiency in a second language: one of the main reasons for choosing a bilingual school is the potential for your child to become bilingual. Nowadays, being able to speak a second language perfectly, especially English, is a highly valued skill both academically and professionally.
  2. Cognitive benefits: studies suggest that bilingual children have better problem-solving skills, greater mental flexibility and a better memory. In addition, learning two languages makes it easier to multitask where multiple tasks are completed at the same time.
  3. Connecting with other cultures: in a bilingual school, not only do students learn the language, but they also get exposure to the culture and way of thinking of other countries.
  4. Academic and professional benefits: companies highly value employees who can communicate in more than one language, so being bilingual can open many more doors in the workplace.

Disadvantages of bilingual education

  1. High cost: many bilingual schools are private and international so the costs are usually higher than those of conventional schools. Furthermore, some of these schools are located in large cities which means that families may have to pay additional costs for transport or even moving home.
  2. Inequality in the level of teaching staff: bilingual schools require highly qualified teachers with an advanced command of the foreign language. However, not all teachers are adequately prepared to teach in two languages which can affect the quality of learning.
  3. Risk of imbalance in learning subjects: not all bilingual schools manage to adequately balance the teaching of content in the foreign language. As a result, if the student’s level of English is not yet high enough, he or she may not be able to acquire a good level in non-language subjects, such as science or history.
  4. Possible demotivation: learning a second language is not always easy, so some children may become demotivated if they are not able to assimilate the content at the expected speed.

Which is the better option, a bilingual or a regular school?

When it comes to deciding between a bilingual or a regular school, much will depend on the needs and preferences of each family, as well as on the abilities of the child.

A bilingual school can be an excellent choice if…

  • Your priority is for your child to master a second language.
  • You live in an area where there are high quality bilingual schools.
  • You are willing to make an extra financial commitment.

A regular school may be more appropriate if…

  • Your child already has a good grounding in English or you do not consider it as important for him/her to be fluent in the language.
  • You are looking for a more balanced education in terms of content so that your child can focus more on learning academic subjects without the pressure of learning in a second language.
  • You live in a rural area or in a city without high quality bilingual schools.

So, is a bilingual school worth it?

Now that you know the benefits and potential drawbacks of bilingual education, the answer to this question will depend on you and your child’s priorities.

If second language proficiency is important to you and you are willing to face the cost and challenges that come with this type of education, a bilingual school like Hastings School may be an excellent option. However, it is very important to make sure that the school has a well-balanced academic selection and a team of qualified teachers who really encourage language learning.

Alternatively, if you prefer an education that is more subject-focused than language-focused, or if you feel that your child’s level of English is sufficient without the need for full immersion, you may choose a conventional school.

Ultimately, the most important thing is that you make the decision that best suits your child’s needs and that you believe will provide them with the best opportunities for their future.