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There are numerous International schools in all the different regions and a search on most of the big Internet search engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc) will
find a selection for you to contact.
If you would like to learn Spanish then try one of the many online courses such as these: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/spanish/index.shtml or
Spanish Unlimited.
Your local university or a nearby language school will offer courses in Spanish for foreign residents of all levels. Sign up for one of these courses to
experience Spanish education first hand.
Try one of the many practical courses on offer such as painting or cooking. Not only will you make new friends, but you will also be learning more of the
language. Bear in mind that you will probably need at least a little understanding of Spanish to be able to follow the lessons.
There are no shortages of adult educational opportunities in Spain, you just have to find them, then muster up the courage to go – don’t forget, you won’t
be the only beginner there!!
School Hours
Primary school hours at present are 9:00 to 12:30 and 3:30 to 5:00, or full time classes from 9.00 to 14.00, depending on the school politics, except
during June and September when they work mornings only, 9:00 to 1:00. There is a move towards a single session day in primary schools which would bring
them in line with secondary schools. To achieve this each school has to submit a programme of extra curricular activities to be offered in the afternoons
to the education authority, and if this is approved the proposal to move to a single session day is put to a vote by the parents for their approval.
Some schools have a dining room and provide lunches, but many do not. There is also an early morning regime for the children of working mothers in many
schools, who can take their children before classes as early as 7:00 where they have breakfast and do sport or leisure activities.
Secondary schools ((Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria or commonly Instituto, often abbreviated to "I.E.S") work from 8:15 to 2:30 throughout the school
year.
In both schools, there is a break that normally takes half an hour, starting at about 11:30. In some Secondary schools there are 2 breaks of 15 minutes.
Availability of schools for younger children
All but the very smallest villages have their own primary school, and there is widespread coverage of school transport. Small village schools are grouped
together under the auspices of their local teacher's centre for the provision of specialist teachers for subjects such as music, English, etc. Most larger
villages and towns have a secondary school.
Arrangements for Foreign Pupils
Many schools have a specialist teacher to help immigrant children of all nationalities learn Spanish. Normally, the younger the child, the more quickly
they learn the language and integrate.
It is quite common for secondary pupils to be placed in the class a year below their actual age in order for them to learn the language and cope with normal
school work. A pupil who does badly in end-of-year exams, especially if the staff feel that they have made insufficient effort, can be required to repeat the
year, but this can only happen once.
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