Yesterday we met up with some friends who are leaving Spain to return to the UK. We have only known them a short time but we have had some great times in those few months and we will miss seeing them around.
However, they looked happier and more relaxed than ever, so moving back to the UK is obviously the right decision for them.
Education is one of the main reasons people are moving back with money obviously being a key factor. If you want an English Education then you have to pay for it and its NOT cheap. Then what exactly are you paying for?
You are certainly not paying for a Bilingual Education like a number of schools say they are. If it was Bilingual then I wouldnt mind at all paying.
But realistically its not...kids learn everything in English then have 3 lessons a week in Spanish. Then most of the time the kids are forced to Speak English therefore inhibiting your child to Speak Spanish anyway. Come year 1 or 2 you will see those Spanish Children who didnt speak a word of English suddenly speaking amazing English. Its great for the Spanish Children but not so great for our English kids.
Then on the other hand you have children in State Schools. Ive now learn not to assume that just because they have English in the Home and Spanish all day at school - they are bilingual...because Im hearing more and more stories of kids that just cant cope, understand or have the confidence in Spanish State Schools and are falling behind.
As Ive always said Im not in favour of Private nor State - everyone has their own opionions. I have friends that love their Spanish State Schools and I have others that wish they could afford to send Private as they say the system is just caotic. In September there were a number of people that took their kids out of International Schools and put into the Spanish State System as they didnt like the way the Private School was run.
I read a few other posts on forums about people leaving Spain to go back to the UK and some people are really nasty as if they have failed.
Well I dont think returning to the UK is an easy decision and actually admire these people going back doing what they think is right for their children.
Sunshine isnt everything and there are plenty of school holidays to be able to enjoy the Sun again in Spain.
If you are someone that has returned to the UK - how did your children fit back into the UK Education?
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2 comments:
You obviously do have a favourite jo, as your child is in a private school. If you are living in Spain your child should ideally go to a Spanish school, since then they will soak up the native language. Most of their English skills will come from the parents, so they get the bost of both worlds. Both of my children are fluent in English and Spanish and I didn't pay tens of thousands a year for the privilege! It was all FREE. They love their schools and they have loads of events and day trips.
Seems you made a mistake with your schooling and have yet to realise that spending money is not the route to the best education.
Hi Jo,
I have noticed what seems to be a trend at the moment. Maybe its just me.
A lot of people are returning to the UK because of a variety of reasons, one of them being that they cannot afford to continue with the private education and, depending on the age of the child, are concerned about the transition into a Spanish school. But like I say, I am sure everyone who decides the time is right for them to return to the UK is for several reasons, not just one.
But I have also noticed that families that have moved here with older children, say 10-12 and upwards, they normally do put their children into the International Schools for obvious reasons with the language barrier and the disruption it would have on their education, bearing in mind that the Spanish schools can and will keep them down a year when they are struggling.
At that age, the majority do not become "fluent" in Spanish.
So, when they turn 16, there really isnt the choice of further education in Spain in English (as far as I know) and so they head back to the UK.
With over a decades experience helping people relocate to Spain, it does amaze me how little forethought and planning goes into "living the dream" before the UK property is sold, kids pulled out of schools and relocated to Spain, only to realise that living here is very different from holidaying, and turn around and head back a few years later.
These are just my general observations Jo. I would never dream of telling someone that I dont know they have made a "mistake" with their child's education!! Everything is what we make of it.
Keep up the great work with your blog Jo!
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