In short: What is a bilingual school? It is a school where English is used to learn other subjects, such as science or math, and in daily classroom life, not just in a language class. A school with English classes, on the other hand, teaches it as one more subject, with a few hours a week and Spanish the rest of the time.
Key takeaways
- A bilingual school uses English as a language for learning other subjects, not just as a subject.
- To be bilingual, a school needs two languages of instruction, teachers fluent in the language and a clear plan for each stage.
- Bilingual refers to the language; international refers to the school’s curriculum, accreditation or outlook.
- The number of hours of instruction in English per level is the most revealing data point for comparing schools.
- Immersion from Parvularia takes advantage of the stage when children absorb the language through play.
Almost every private school says it offers English, and many present themselves as bilingual. But when you search for what a bilingual school is, you find vague definitions, many from other countries, that don’t help you compare options in El Salvador. And the difference matters: it determines how much English your child will experience every day.
If you’re choosing a school for Pre-Kinder or Kinder, it’s normal to feel that they all promise the same thing. The brochure rarely tells you how many hours are actually taught in English or what language the teacher speaks during recess.
In this article we explain what a bilingual school is, what it takes to be one, how it differs from an international school and five concrete questions to tell it apart from a school with English classes.
What is a bilingual school?
A bilingual school is a school in which two languages, in El Salvador usually Spanish and English, are used as languages of instruction. In other words, children don’t just study English: they learn science, math, reading or other subjects in English.
A school with English classes, on the other hand, treats the language as one more subject, like music or physical education. Children have a few hours of English a week and the rest of the day takes place in Spanish.
Both models can be valid depending on what each family is looking for. The problem arises when a school with English classes presents itself as bilingual, and parents find out months later.
What does it take for a school to be bilingual?
Putting it in the name isn’t enough for a school to be bilingual. In general, it takes four conditions sustained over time:
- Two languages of instruction. Some subjects are taught in English, not just the language class.
- Teachers fluent in the language. Those who teach in English are fluent and know how to teach content in that language.
- A plan for each stage. The school knows how much English is used at each level, from Parvularia to the final grades, and how it supports children who arrive without knowing the language.
- An environment where the language is used. Routines, instructions, books and materials in English are part of everyday life.
In addition, in El Salvador every private school, bilingual or not, must be authorized by MINEDUCYT.
Bilingual school vs. international school
A bilingual school is defined by language: it teaches in two languages. An international school is defined by its orientation: it usually follows curricula or programs with international scope or holds accreditations from foreign bodies. A school can be both, just one or neither.
| Aspect | Bilingual school | International school |
|---|---|---|
| What defines it | Teaches in two languages | International curriculum, accreditation or outlook |
| Language | Spanish and English as languages of instruction | May teach in one or several languages |
| Curriculum | National, international or combined | Usually includes international programs |
| What to ask | How much is taught in English at each level? | Which curriculum do you follow and who accredits you? |
An international accreditation, for example from NEASC, indicates that an external body evaluated the school’s quality against its own standards. It is an additional signal, independent of language.
How to recognize a bilingual school in El Salvador: five questions
These questions work on any visit or call. What matters isn’t just the answer, but that the school can give it clearly and with concrete data.
1. How many hours are taught in English at each level?
It’s the most revealing question. Ask for the figure by level, not an overall average: the proportion can change between Parvularia, Primary and Secondary.
2. Which subjects are taught in English?
If the answer is only “the English class”, you’re looking at a school with English classes. In a bilingual school, subjects like science, math or reading are taught fully or partly in English.
3. Who are the teachers who teach in English?
Ask what training they have, what level of language proficiency is required of them and whether homeroom teachers also teach in English or only a specialist does so a few hours a week.
4. What language does the school use day to day?
Notice what language instructions are given in the classroom, how teachers speak in the hallways and at recess, and what language appears on signs and materials. Real bilingualism shows in the routine, not just in the timetable.
5. Is there immersion from Parvularia?
Immersion is a way of teaching in which the child learns the language by using it in real situations, like playing, singing or following routines. Ask how English is taught in Pre-Kinder and Kinder and how children who arrive without knowing the language are supported.
Table: bilingual school vs. school with English classes
| Aspect | Bilingual school | School with English classes |
|---|---|---|
| Role of English | Language for learning other subjects | Stand-alone subject |
| Hours in English | A significant part of the school day | A few hours a week |
| Subjects in English | Several, like science or reading | Only the English class |
| Teachers | Homeroom teachers who teach in English | A specialist teacher |
| Daily life | Routines, signs and instructions in English | Mostly in Spanish |
| Starting when | Usually starts in Parvularia | Varies; sometimes from Primary |
Which warning signs should you watch for?
- The school can’t tell you how many hours are taught in English at each level.
- The word “bilingual” appears in the name, but all subjects are taught in Spanish.
- The answers about teachers are general or evasive.
- On the visit you don’t hear English outside the language classroom.
- They promise your child will “speak perfect English” in a few months. Learning a language takes time and every child has their own pace.
If you’re worried that learning two languages will confuse your child, read our article on myths about childhood bilingualism. And if you want to reinforce the language at home, these English stories for kids will help. To compare the rest of the criteria, check how to choose a school for your child.
How do we live bilingualism at Colegio Maya?
Colegio Maya is a bilingual school internationally accredited by NEASC and nationally by MINEDUCYT, with more than 560 students from Preschool to Grade 12 in Zaragoza, La Libertad. Since 1994 we have worked toward high-quality bilingual education in a family environment. In Parvularia we follow the IEYC (International Early Years Curriculum), with play- and inquiry-based learning and an international outlook. We invite you to ask us the five questions in this article during the tour: we’ll gladly explain how English is distributed at each level and how we support children from Pre-Kinder.
Knowing what a bilingual school is helps you look beyond the name: what counts is what happens in the classroom every day. Take these questions to every visit, ask for concrete data and compare calmly.
Frequently asked questions
How does a bilingual school work day to day?
In a bilingual school, the day combines moments and subjects in Spanish and in English. For example, some subjects are taught in English, classroom routines may happen in that language and materials appear in both languages. The proportion changes by level and school, so it’s worth asking for a real timetable for a specific grade to see how it’s distributed.
What are the types of bilingualism?
A classic classification distinguishes three types: coordinate, when each language is learned in different contexts; compound, when both are learned in the same context; and subordinate, when one is understood through the other. People also speak of simultaneous bilingualism, when both languages are acquired from a very young age, and sequential, when the second language comes after the first.
At what age is it best for a child to start learning English?
The early years are a very favorable stage for contact with a second language, because children take it in naturally by playing, singing and following routines. That’s why many bilingual schools start exposure to English from Parvularia. Even so, every child has their own pace, and it’s never too late to start if the environment is consistent and positive.
Do I need to speak English at home for my child to attend a bilingual school?
It isn’t essential. Many children at bilingual schools come from homes where only Spanish is spoken. What does help is showing interest in what they learn, reading together, watching age-appropriate content in English and keeping a positive attitude toward the language. Keeping good Spanish at home also strengthens their learning.
Is Colegio Maya accredited?
Yes. Colegio Maya is a bilingual school internationally accredited by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), an independent, voluntary, non-profit organization that works with more than 1,500 schools in the United States and around the world. Nationally, it holds accreditation from MINEDUCYT, El Salvador’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
