I’ve just moved to Barcelona, and the top priority has been looking at schools for my child. We’re mainly considering international schools, hoping for a smooth transition in terms of language and curriculum. After attending a few open days and chatting with some teachers, I’ve noticed that the teaching styles here are quite different from what we experienced back in China. I wanted to share my initial impressions and open the floor to hear from more experienced parents.
My biggest impression is that teachers here, especially in British and American international schools, place a strong emphasis on “guiding” and “sparking interest” rather than instilling information through rote learning. The classroom atmosphere is very relaxed; you often see teachers and students sitting together on the carpet or breaking into small groups for lively discussions. The teacher’s role is more like a facilitator than a distant authority figure. They’ll pose an open-ended question and then encourage the children to explore, do their own research, and express their own opinions. Even if the ideas are naive or not entirely correct, the teachers are very encouraging.
Another point is the communication style between teachers and parents. Back home, teachers might focus more on grades and homework completion. Here, however, I feel that teachers are more willing to discuss a child’s social life at school, emotional changes, and specific interests. They use a lot of positive language to describe the children, such as ‘He is very creative,’ or ‘She is a great team player.’ Of course, they will point out issues, but they do so tactfully, with the goal of working with you to find a solution for the child, rather than simply ‘reporting a problem.’
To illustrate, I’ve created a simple table comparing the differences I’ve noticed, which are relevant even for those looking into Spanish international school recruitment:
| Characteristic | Spanish International Schools | Some Traditional Schools in China |
|---|
| Teacher-Student Relationship | Relatively equal; more like partners and guides | Tends to be hierarchical; teacher as the sole purveyor of knowledge |
| Classroom Atmosphere | Lively, interactive, encourages exploration | Relatively serious, quiet, focused on lectures |
| Evaluation System | Diverse, focusing on process, creativity, and social skills | Heavily focused on exam scores and grades, a different metric from what’s discussed regarding instructors like Spanish teachers. |
| Parent-Teacher Communication | Focuses on holistic development and collaborative problem-solving | Tends to center on academic performance and discipline, unlike discussions about specific faculty like the number of [Spanish teachers] in a school. |
These are just my initial impressions from a quick look. For those who have already enrolled their children, what have your experiences been like? Have you encountered any particularly great teachers, or had any bad experiences? Let’s chat about it
! After all, choosing the right school and teachers for our kids is a major project that requires long-term observation.
