These are the differences between bilingual and international baccalaureate
The international baccalaureate has completed half a century in Spanish schools, but few know the characteristics of this type of baccalaureate. Beyond the linguistic factor, there are many differences between studying the baccalaureate in another language and studying the international baccalaureate.
One the main advantages of international Baccalaureate is that their students can access university education without performing the Selectivity both in Spain and in the international universities affiliated with this program. This is one of the advantages, but it is not the only one.
Differences between the international baccalaureate and the bilingual baccalaureate
The bilingual education It is one of the aspects most valued and most demanded by Spanish parents in educational centers. However, bilingual education during the baccalaureate stage only means that your students receive between 30 and 50% of the subjects in a foreign language. In this way, high school students of bilingual centers complete exactly the same subjects as in a non-bilingual center, with the exception that some classes are taught in English.
However, the international baccalaureate due to its nature pays special attention to language skills. In fact, students can complete this type of baccalaureate in a bilingual way and they are also required to take classes in another foreign language. For example, a teaching load of between 50 and 100% of the program in English is offered with subjects taught by native teachers.
Another difference between the international baccalaureate and a bilingual baccalaureate is located in the Curriculum. The students of the binternational achillerato must take the subject Theory of Knowledge and dedicate a certain series of hours to activities related to creativity, sports or solidarity service. Further, at the end of the studies, they should make a monograph of 4,000 words on a theme chosen by the student himself. The completion of these activities or subjects are essential for obtaining the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
5 characteristics of the international baccalaureate
1. International vision. As its name suggests, this type of baccalaureate allows students to finish their pre-university studies with an international projection. In this way, academic and work mobility are guaranteed, opening the doors of universities inside and outside Europe to their graduates.
2. Direct access to university education. The successful completion of the International Baccalaureate allows its students access to different universities around the world without performing the Selectivity in both Spanish and international universities affiliated with the program.
3. External evaluations. The International Baccalaureate conducts its own final tests in which the students are examined according to the competences imparted during the studies. To guarantee the maximum rigor and objectivity of the results, the tests are corrected by professors from different countries who are experts in the subject.
4. Independence of national education systems. The educational curriculum of the International Baccalaureate is not regulated according to the system established by local governments. In this way, the independence of the educational plan is maintained and allows choosing the best practices carried out in the international educational context.
5. Training in values. The objective of this program is not only to train students capable of facing their future university education, but it also includes training in values through the obligatory performance of solidarity activities.
The International Baccalaureate was founded at the end of the 60s in Switzerland. This 2018 celebrates its 50th birthday, boasting of being one of the most important programs worldwide.
Account worldwide with more than 4,000 schools, public and private, teaching its program, with a total of 70,000 teachers and more than one million students around the world. In Spain there are 108 schools, public and private, which offer their students the possibility of accessing the international baccalaureate.
Aaron Añover
Advice:Michael Harvey, director of the International Baccalaureate at Brains International Schools.
