Can my teenager swap a second foreign language for extra Spanish?

Terms used

• Aula de enlace — The aula de enlace is a support classroom where newly arrived pupils learn Spanish in a small group.
• ATAL — ATAL is the Andalusian name for a language support classroom for newly arrived pupils.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary school in Spain, for pupils aged about 12 to 16.
• Lengua — Lengua is the school subject Spanish language and literature.

Key rules

• Regional choice: The swap is not a national right; each region sets its own rules, and approval usually comes from the school or inspectorate.
• Lengua help: Support for Spanish language and literature is available whether or not your teenager swaps.
• Get it in writing: Ask for the school's answer and any approval in writing.

Regional conditions for the swap and for Lengua exemptions vary and change, so confirm them with your child's school or regional education office before acting.

Can your teenager swap the language?

Maybe. Some regions let newcomers in secondary school (ESO) replace the second foreign language with Spanish reinforcement. It is not a national right. Each region decides, and the school or the education inspectorate usually has to approve it. Madrid, Andalucía, Catalonia and the Valencian Community are among the regions with this kind of option, but conditions differ. Ask the school what your region allows before you count on it.

How to ask

• Go to the school's head of studies (jefatura de estudios) or the guidance counsellor.
• Ask whether the swap exists in your region and who approves it.
• Ask for the answer in writing, and ask for the request to be made in writing too.
• Do it early, ideally when your child enrols, so the timetable can be set up around it.

The decision and checklist below help you weigh the options and prepare these questions.

Swap or keep the language?

A swap gives your child more Spanish hours while they catch up. That can make every other subject easier, because all of them are taught in Spanish. Keeping the second language makes more sense if your child already speaks it well, or if you may move to another country or region soon. Ask the school whether the swap can be reversed later.

Coping with Spanish language and literature

This subject (Lengua) is often the hardest for newcomers, with or without a swap. It involves grammar, essays and literary texts, which are hard even for native speakers. Help exists, and it varies by region:

• Language support classrooms. These are called aula de enlace or ATAL. Your child spends part of the week learning Spanish in a small group.
• In-class reinforcement and flexible grouping. A support teacher helps in the regular lesson, or your child works in a smaller group.
• Adapted work. The teacher can adjust the assessment criteria, give simplified texts and set adapted exams.
• Lower weight for Lengua. Some regions exempt newcomers from Lengua assessment, or reduce its weight, during the first period. Ask whether yours does.

What you can do at home

• Focus on spoken Spanish first. Reading and writing follow more easily.
• Use a bilingual dictionary and visual materials such as pictures and diagrams.
• Sign your child up for school tutoring or a homework club.
• Buy graded Spanish readers matched to their level, and raise the level as they improve.

The FAQ below covers which regions allow the swap and what other help exists.

Choosing between options

Should your teenager swap the second foreign language for extra Spanish?

• Swap it for Spanish reinforcement: Your region allows it, the school or inspectorate approves, and your child has clear gaps in Spanish that make the second language hard to follow.

• Keep the second foreign language: Your region does not offer the swap, or your child already copes in Spanish and wants to keep the language.

If your region allows the swap and your child is still struggling with Spanish, ask the school to approve it. Otherwise keep the language and use the other support available for Spanish language and literature.

Checklist

• Ask the school whether your region lets newcomers replace the second foreign language with Spanish reinforcement.

• Ask who must approve the swap, the school or the education inspectorate, and request it in writing.

• Ask the Spanish language and literature teacher for simplified texts and adapted exams.

• Ask whether your child can join a language support classroom (aula de enlace or ATAL) or in-class reinforcement.

• Ask whether your region lowers the weight of Lengua assessment during the first period.

• Sign your child up for school tutoring or a homework club, and buy graded Spanish readers.

Frequently asked questions

Which regions let a newcomer swap the second foreign language for Spanish?

Several regions allow the swap for newly arrived pupils with language gaps, including Madrid, Andalucía, Catalonia and the Valencian Community. The school or the education inspectorate usually has to approve it. Each region sets its own conditions, so ask the school which ones apply to your child.

What help exists for Spanish language and literature besides the swap?

Many regions offer a language support classroom (called aula de enlace or ATAL), adapted exams and in-class reinforcement. In some regions the subject counts for less, or is not graded, during the first period. At home, graded Spanish readers and a bilingual dictionary help, and the teacher can give simplified texts.