Lately, there have been more and more posts on the forums discussing children’s education, especially about choosing international schools. It seems the biggest question and point of confusion for everyone is: What language do these schools actually teach in? Does being an ‘international school’ automatically mean it’s purely English-taught? I recently researched almost all the mainstream international schools around Madrid and Barcelona for my kid, and even visited a few. So today, I’m starting this thread to share what I’ve learned, hoping to help other parents who are in the middle of this tough decision.
Main Systems for Language of Instruction
First, it’s important to understand that international schools in Spain are not all the same. The language of instruction and curriculum model can vary greatly depending on the educational system they follow. They can generally be categorized as follows:
British Schools: These are the most numerous. They almost completely follow the National Curriculum for England. From primary to high school, the main language of instruction is, without a doubt, English. The vast majority of teachers are from the UK or other Commonwealth countries. They do teach Spanish, but usually as a foreign language class for a few hours a week. Children from these schools will develop a very authentic command of English, and their future path is typically towards UK universities.
American Schools: Similar to British schools, they use American curriculum standards. The primary language of instruction is also English, but with a noticeable American accent and cultural context. Likewise, Spanish and Catalan are taught as second or third languages. The teaching atmosphere in these schools is often more liberal and open.
IB System Schools: This is what I want to focus on. Many British or American schools offer the IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) in the final years of high school. The IB system itself has more flexible rules regarding the language of instruction. Some IB schools are purely English-taught, but many offer bilingual instruction in English and Spanish. In this bilingual model, half the subjects might be taught in English and the other half in Spanish. This is a huge draw for families who want their children to master both languages.
Other National Systems: For example, French or German schools. These are less common, and their main language of instruction is, naturally, French or German, so I won’t go into detail here.
Language Considerations When Choosing a School
After understanding the basic categories of Spanish language schools, we need to be clear about our goals when selecting a school. Do you want your child to be fully immersed in an English environment with an eye on UK or US universities in the future? Or do you hope for them to become truly fluent in both English and Spanish to better integrate into local Spanish society? Different goals will lead to completely different choices in school type and language model.
Below is a simple comparison table I’ve put together to help you understand more intuitively:
| School System | Primary Language of Instruction | Status of Spanish/Catalan | Suitable For |
|---|
| British School | English | Taught as a foreign language | Aiming for Commonwealth universities, achieving native-level English |
| American School | English | Taught as a foreign language, similar to classes in Spanish language schools | Aiming for US universities, achieving native-level English |
| Bilingual IB School | English + Spanish | Language of instruction for some subjects | Seeking dual native fluency in English and Spanish, balancing local integration |
My personal recommendation is, if your family’s long-term plan is to live in Spain, choosing a bilingual IB school could be an excellent choice regarding [international school languages]. This approach ensures a high level of academic English, laying the foundation for applying to top universities worldwide, while also allowing your child’s Spanish to reach a native level. This gives them a unique advantage, whether for living here or for future opportunities in the Spanish-speaking world. Of course, the specific choice of school still requires taking your child for a campus visit to experience the atmosphere firsthand and talking extensively with the admissions officers to find the one that’s the best fit for your child.
