Can my child cope with Spanish, a regional language and English together?

Key rules

• English: English becomes a compulsory subject from the first year of primary, at age 6.
• Regional language exemption: Newcomers can often get a temporary exemption or reduced assessment, not a permanent one.
• Second foreign language: It usually starts in secondary school, and whether it is compulsory depends on your region and school.
• Disagreements: If the school cannot provide the adaptations you ask for, contact the regional education inspectorate.

The short answer

Most children cope well with learning in Spanish, a regional language and English. Children in regions with two official languages generally reach good competence in both by the end of compulsory school. Their English is usually as good as, or slightly better than, English in regions with one language.

The first years can be heavier for a newcomer. This is truer if your child arrives older or has learning difficulties. The regional language is usually the one that needs the most support. Children who speak neither Spanish nor the regional language at home can find three languages demanding at first.

When each language starts

• Spanish and the regional language: both are used in school from the start. The regional language is taught as a subject and, in many regions, is also used to teach other subjects. This applies in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands and the Basque-speaking zone of Navarra.
• English: many schools introduce it in infantil (ages 3 to 5) as short, mostly oral sessions. It becomes a compulsory subject from the first year of primary, at age 6. Expect around 2 to 3 hours a week in primary, though each region sets this. Many regions also run bilingual programmes that teach subjects such as science or arts in English.
• A second foreign language: this is usually French, German, Italian or Portuguese. It generally starts in secondary school (ESO), often in year 1 or 2, at ages 12 to 13. Some schools start it in the last years of primary. In some regions it is compulsory for at least some years of ESO. In others it is optional and the school decides. Ask the school which applies.

Where you can ask for flexibility

Flexibility is limited and depends on your region. Do not count on a permanent exemption from the regional language. Newcomers can often get a temporary exemption or a reduced assessment in it. The usual period is one to two years, and in some regions it lasts longer.

• Catalonia: newly arrived pupils can join a reception classroom (aula d'acollida). They move gradually into Catalan.
• Basque Country: there are immersion programmes and special plans. Some families can also choose the language model their child is taught in.
• Galicia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands: pupils arriving from outside may get a temporary exemption or an adapted assessment. Valencia also has exemptions for children who arrive after certain ages or who come from other regions.

Even with an exemption, the regional language may still count towards your child's final title, depending on the region. Ask the school how this works for your child.

If your child has special educational needs, ask in writing for individual adaptations of the curriculum. If the school cannot offer the adaptations you ask for, contact the regional education inspectorate.

Rules change with each new regional decree and are applied by the school and the regional education authority. The checklist below lists the questions to ask the school.

Checklist

• Ask the school which languages your child will study this year and how many hours each gets.

• Ask whether newcomers get a temporary exemption or a reduced assessment in the regional language, and for how long.

• Ask what support measures the school offers, such as a reception classroom or extra language help.

• Find out whether your region lets you choose the language model for your child's teaching.

• Ask whether a second foreign language is compulsory or optional in your child's year.

Flexibility varies by region and school, so confirm what is available with the school and the regional education inspectorate.

Frequently asked questions

Can a newly arrived pupil be exempted from the regional language?

Sometimes, but only for a limited period and only in some regions. In Galicia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, pupils from outside may get a temporary exemption or an adapted assessment, often for some years. In Catalonia, newcomers join a reception classroom (aula d'acollida) and move gradually into Catalan.

At what age does English start in Spanish schools?

English becomes a compulsory subject from the first year of primary, at age 6. Many schools begin with short oral sessions in infantil. Primary usually has around 2 to 3 hours a week, and some regions also teach other subjects in English.

Which of the three languages is usually hardest for a newcomer child?

The regional language is often the one that needs the most support. Most children in co-official regions cope well with two official languages plus English. Older arrivals and children with learning difficulties can find the first years heavier.