5 Types of Schools (and how they teach English)

5 Types of Schools in Argentina (and how they teach English)

(The article 5 Types of Schools in Argentina was first published in Xplore Magazine in Aug/Sept 2017.
Used with Permission.)

When two or more expats get together for coffee (or golf), the conversation soon turns toward the difficult subject of education. It is a source of frustration and stress for many families even when their kids go to private schools. The teaching style is different and the resources are often limited. The only way to ensure that their kids get a “normal” education is to send them to an international school like Lincoln (in La Lucila) or BAICA (in San Fernando). But what are the real options for education in Argentina? Is it really only limited to those two schools? Let me tell you about the five types of schools in Argentina and how they teach English.

SCHOOL PROFILE #1 – THE STATE OR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ARGENTINA

State schools are free but you get what you pay for. Education in Argentina is based on a half-day system of 4 to 5 hours daily either in a morning shift or afternoon shift. This is not just for Kindergarten but for Primary and Secondary as well.

We have lived in Argentina for over 20 years and, at one point, we had to send out two girls to a local State school. Schools in ArgentinaSince our girls were totally bilingual, there was no problem with the language. They had a one hour English class twice a week. That’s it. They knew more English than the teacher but that didn’t go over well. They had to learn to keep their mouths shut and their heads down. That was true for the rest of the classes as well.

Bullying was a problem and the teacher’s generally had no real control of the classroom much less the educational process. Apparently, if there is no water in the school for whatever reason, then school was automatically cancelled and the kids went home early (or didn’t come at all). After all, you can’t expect the kids to go to school if the bathrooms are not working properly. What amazed us was that the water system was always broken. Even if they fixed it, it would be broken again the next week. Enough said. But in all fairness, there are rumors of great public schools in CABA (Capital Federal) but I have never seen one myself. Yes, unicorns do exist.

SCHOOL PROFILE #2 – THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ARGENTINA

Parochial schools are run by the Catholic Church and are similar to the public school system but managed better. Sure the kids have to learn some catechism and the teachers are often strict but there’s nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, it is still based on a half-day system (which is simply not enough) and English is taught briefly twice or three times weekly.

One of the variations that you sometimes see are afternoon optional classes for physical education, arts and English. That is an improvement but not all the students can afford to take advantage of it since it usually involves an additional fee and the English teaching is very limited. But there is a solution.

Schools in ArgentinaBoth the parochial and public school systems can benefit from a new approach to learning English based on a fluency methodology that would optimize the two or three hours a week that is available for language learning. With this new methodology, they could truly transform language acquisition and general learning skills within a few years.

It would need to start at the teacher training level but, even there, the teachers would not need to be natives or even fully bilingual. The new methodology for teaching fluency is very forgiving and makes up for any lack of expertise on the part of the teachers. The problem is not that there are no solutions but rather that the educational leadership lacks vision (and funding) to find sustainable solutions.

SCHOOL PROFILE #3 – THE PRIVATE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ARGENTINA

Private schools are a good option but, be careful. They are NOT all the same. They offer a double shift of schooling and better academics but they also charge tuition accordingly. They differ not only in the installations that they offer (sports fields, swimming pools, buildings and extra-curricular programs) but also in academic standards and, especially, in how they teach English.

There are three general approaches to learning English. The first is a focus on grammar. These are the schools that offer the Cambridge First Certificate Exam. There is usually a whole lineup of exams based on the goal of passing the First Certificate Exam starting in the early years and ending either in grade 9 or 12. Nowadays, Cambridge has incorporated some fluency based evaluations at every exam level but the focus is still on grammar.

The second is a focus on the Cambridge IGCSE Exams usually in grade 10 (but sometimes grade 11 and 12 as well). There are variations here but the focus is still on subject oriented exams in English such as Literature, Biology, Math, Physics and so on.

The third level would normally include IGCSE but add the IB Curriculum for Grades 11 and 12. This is more demanding and keeps the students focused on academics during the crucial 12th year when the tendency is to let school work slide in favor of graduation parties and trips to exotic locations.

A word about terminology here. Some of these private schools, especially those who are at the third level and offerSchools in Argentina both IGCSE and IB Curriculum and Exams, like to call themselves an “international school.” It is true that certain international educational bodies have determined that an international school is one that has at least part of their curriculum based on English. Officially that would include more than 180 schools in Argentina.

But there is international and there is international. Marketing aside, the private school system is not an international school system. In the last 30 years, even the best of them have opted for academics above English and the level of English has suffered dramatically. Many teachers cannot hold a conversation in English and most heads simply don’t understand the dynamics of maintaining an English culture (and language) in the school environment. Actual acquisition and fluency has been sacrificed in favor of the marketing of international exams with dubious results.

SCHOOL PROFILE #4 – THE TRI-LINGUAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ARGENTINA

The tri-lingual school is often the choice of preference for many expats coming into the country but it has its’ own challenges to overcome. Whether it is the German school in La Horqueta or the Dutch school in Tres Arroyos or any one of a dozen others who focus on Italian, Japanese, Korean and so on, they all suffer the problem of a lack of focus. They try to maintain the original language of their culture together with Spanish (since we live in Argentina) as well as English. In effect, all three languages suffer the curse of mediocrity.

Family and cultural issues may be the main reason why some parents choose this kind of school but there is a practical reason as well. If you are an expat who will only be in-country for three years, you may want to educate your children using their native language (which may not be English). It takes time to learn Spanish and their English may be weak. Besides, if the family is going back to Germany, for example, the school may offer a curriculum that fits the curriculum back home. Practicality wins. English is simply not a priority.

SCHOOL PROFILE #5 – THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ARGENTINA

A true international school has a number of key elements that must be present. The first is accreditation by an international educational body. The most common system is based on the American curriculum where a High School Diploma from the USA is offered together with a local diploma from Argentina. This only matters if the student is graduating from grade 12 during his time in Argentina.

Schools in ArgentinaMost often, a diplomat or businessman is in-country for only three to four years and they plan to move to another international location and put their kids in another international school over there. There is a network of American or International schools around the world and they are all in English (with a few classes in the local language to fulfill the basic requirements of the local educational authorities).

Lincoln school in La Lucila in Greater Buenos Aires is one and BAICA, the smaller, less expensive version in San Fernando is another. I often call BAICA (Buenos Aires International Christian Academy) the “best kept secret in education.” Excellent academics. Warm, friendly atmosphere. Values-based education. Native speaking teachers (mostly expats from the USA) and tuition costs on par with a normal bilingual school.

Lately, there have been more Argentine families interested in attending both Lincoln and BAICA. Side by side with other students from around the world, these students are learning English quickly and talking like natives.

These schools don’t offer “international” exams for second language learners but, rather, “national” exams for natives (or near natives) like the SAT and the ACT, both of which are needed for entry into Universities in the States. The SAT/ACT Exams require a higher level of English than the IGCSE/IB Exams and are meant for native speakers, not second language learners. Students in Lincoln and BAICA are prepared for these exams starting in Grade 8 and 9 and, because both the academics as well as the language acquisition is so high, their preparation gives them a great opportunity to study abroad if that is what they want to do.

It’s time to make a decision.

The difference between the five types of schools in Argentina is incredible and the results show the difference. UnlessSchools in Argentina you have a very special public school somewhere in the Capital, State schools are not really an option. Parochial schools are only slightly better. Private schools can be a great choice but check the level of academics and English teaching to make sure you are at the IGCSE/IB level at least.

But the international schools are your best bet. Lincoln is a great school but expensive. BAICA is also a great school, but much more accessible. These are the options that make sense for anyone who wants great English training as well as overall international level academics.

BERT AMSING

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bert Amsing sends his daughter, Michelle, to BAICA in San Fernando. Michelle has written her first book in English and hopes to publish it later this year. Her book is called Ramblings of a Deranged Redhead and will be available on Kindle and Amazon in the next few months.

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