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opinions please??
There is a new school opening in Málaga. A new type of school! Its totally bilingual altho the lessons will be taught in English with Spanish along side until all pupils are fluent and confident. Its from infant up to 18 and follows the baccalaureate curriculum. The main difference is that the teaching staff are all to be shareholders of the school and have to make a 120,000€ investment to be able to work at the school. Its fee paying for pupils, altho its quite a bit cheaper than most other international and private schools.
http://www.colegiomit.com/index.php?lang=en does anyone have any thoughts please???? Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
der green schlimer strikes again
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Re: opinions please??
if I could afford private bilingual school my 2 would be in one
BUT this one seems odd - & I'm not sure I would want my kids going to a brand new untried & untested school in any case there have been several cases of new schools opening in my area without the proper licences, only to be closed down - I would check that out too, very carefully MIT - isn't that a well-respected Uni in the states? maybe a bit of subliminal messaging in the school's name? the English on the website is seriously odd - it looks like a bad online translator has been used - the sentence construction is very Spanish - & whoever heard of a 'luminous' room? badly translated from luminoso probably |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 8483657)
if I could afford private bilingual school my 2 would be in one
BUT this one seems odd - & I'm not sure I would want my kids going to a brand new untried & untested school in any case there have been several cases of new schools opening in my area without the proper licences, only to be closed down - I would check that out too, very carefully MIT - isn't that a well-respected Uni in the states? maybe a bit of subliminal messaging in the school's name? the English on the website is seriously odd - it looks like a bad online translator has been used - the sentence construction is very Spanish - & whoever heard of a 'luminous' room? badly translated from luminoso probably Sounds like a school built on the fads of what nouvo-riche parents want. All talk of English, psycho-babble and dieticians. And as Lynnxa says the English on the website isnt the best so what hope do the children have! Nonsense |
Re: opinions please??
I'm really grateful for your comments and thoughts. Obviously I'm toying with this for my kids. I know a few parents around here who are "going for it" cos they think it sounds so good!!!! "Too good to be true"??????????????
So far I've found out that the land the school has been built on was donated to them by the local Junta, who are very keen for this to work!?! The building work has cost 3 million euros and is nearly finished (I went to see the site yesterday, it looks very impressive and is due to be completed in June). They have so far 25 teachers/investors who have all given over 120,000€ each and they have 250 definite pupils and over 500 define maybes??????? Its built in the Málaga technology park with a view to getting the children who's parents work there into the school, thus creating a local interest in its achievements and survival. Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8483745)
I'm really grateful for your comments and thoughts. Obviously I'm toying with this for my kids. I know a few parents around here who are "going for it" cos they think it sounds so good!!!! "Too good to be true"??????????????
So far I've found out that the land the school has been built on was donated to them by the local Junta, who are very keen for this to work!?! The building work has cost 3 million euros and is nearly finished (I went to see the site yesterday, it looks very impressive and is due to be completed in June). They have so far 25 teachers/investors who have all given over 120,000€ each and they have 250 definite pupils and over 500 define maybes??????? Its built in the Málaga technology park with a view to getting the children who's parents work there into the school, thus creating a local interest in its achievements and survival. Jo xxx How can a teacher invest 120,000 euros? Are they thieving money from the ayuntamiento or selling coke on the side? And even if a teacher could invest that, are we saying they select teachers based on how much money they have? Doesnt sound legal, ethical or make much sense :eek: Btw the pictures look lovely, they are certainly good at marketing, but overly good marketing always raises my suspicions :) |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8483774)
How can a teacher invest 120,000 euros? Are they thieving money from the ayuntamiento or selling coke on the side?
And even if a teacher could invest that, are we saying they select teachers based on how much money they have? Doesnt sound legal, ethical or make much sense :eek: Btw the pictures look lovely, they are certainly good at marketing, but overly good marketing always raises my suspicions :) As for the investment - well many an entrepeuner finds the money to invest in businesses that involve their own work and I guess the idea is that in the fullness of time, their hard work and dedication will pay off and they'll reap some decent dividends as well as a salary - maybe if it works they could all be retired and living the life of luxury in 20 years and employing normal teachers to run their school????????? They could just become shareholders in a successful business?????????? Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8482307)
There is a new school opening in Málaga. A new type of school! Its totally bilingual altho the lessons will be taught in English with Spanish along side until all pupils are fluent and confident. Its from infant up to 18 and follows the baccalaureate curriculum. The main difference is that the teaching staff are all to be shareholders of the school and have to make a 120,000€ investment to be able to work at the school. Its fee paying for pupils, altho its quite a bit cheaper than most other international and private schools.
http://www.colegiomit.com/index.php?lang=en does anyone have any thoughts please???? Jo xxx Children pick up the lingo far faster and better than us old 'uns so I can't see the advantage in paying money just for this. If they are claiming a higher academic curriculum you are never going to know if that is true if it is a new school. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by twistedmelon
(Post 8483997)
Why would you choose this school? Is it just because it is bilingual?
Children pick up the lingo far faster and better than us old 'uns so I can't see the advantage in paying money just for this. If they are claiming a higher academic curriculum you are never going to know if that is true if it is a new school. I havent chosen it!! I'm interested in it because yes, its bilingual. My daughter who is nearly 13 has been in a state school now for over a year and has learnt nothing at all - especially not Spanish, but all her education is suffering as a result! Some of her Spanish friends are planning to go to this new school and it is mainly aimed at Spanish who are keen for their children to learn English. Even the school my daughter is at has a bilingual category altho its only available to the Spanish and has a waiting list My son is 15 and at an international school and is in the middle of his IGCSE courses, but its possible if this school is going to be given licence to teach the IB, it may be worth moving him there!! But its an interesting concept and one I've not heard of before. I wondered if anyone else had or had any thoughts about it! Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by twistedmelon
(Post 8483997)
Why would you choose this school? Is it just because it is bilingual?
Children pick up the lingo far faster and better than us old 'uns so I can't see the advantage in paying money just for this. If they are claiming a higher academic curriculum you are never going to know if that is true if it is a new school. I've heard so many stories about British children not improving their Spanish at schools here in Spain. What is going wrong? :unsure: |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8484014)
I havent chosen it!! I'm interested in it because yes, its bilingual. My daughter who is nearly 13 has been in a state school now for over a year and has learnt nothing at all - especially not Spanish, but all her education is suffering as a result! Some of her Spanish friends are planning to go to this new school and it is mainly aimed at Spanish who are keen for their children to learn English. Even the school my daughter is at has a bilingual category altho its only available to the Spanish and has a waiting list
My son is 15 and at an international school and is in the middle of his IGCSE courses, but its possible if this school is going to be given licence to teach the IB, it may be worth moving him there!! But its an interesting concept and one I've not heard of before. I wondered if anyone else had or had any thoughts about it! Jo xxx Your child will be taught in English and still mix with Spanish/other nationalities. Perfect! I can understand how difficult it is for our children (in spanish state) who do not have spanish as a first language to keep up with the classwork/homework. New vocab and new learning. This school would help her to concentrate on learning without the language difficulty. What does your daughter think about it? If her friends are going, I'm sure she'll be keen. Not an easy decision but go with your gut feeling when you go and see it. :) |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8484047)
My OH went to a fee paying school in Asturias. They had international students come and go from all over the world although there were only a handful at any one time. She said it took the non-Spanish students 1 year at the school to become fluent in Spanish then they would get move into the same classes as the Spanish students.
I've heard so many stories about British children not improving their Spanish at schools here in Spain. What is going wrong? :unsure: Some kids are too old - 9 or more Some kids have parents who aren't bothered Some kids aren't bothered Some kids don't get much needed help in class For me I think my daughter was too old..She was 9 (although had many months of daily private tuition). So she is struggling but I am helping her as much as I can. She's only 11 now but if she continues struggling, I too will have to consider other options (like jojo is). Wait till you have kids !! Nightmare..:) |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by manamama
(Post 8484225)
Main problems I think :
Some kids are too old - 9 or more Some kids have parents who aren't bothered Some kids aren't bothered Some kids don't get much needed help in class For me I think my daughter was too old..She was 9 (although had many months of daily private tuition). So she is struggling but I am helping her as much as I can. She's only 11 now but if she continues struggling, I too will have to consider other options (like jojo is). Wait till you have kids !! Nightmare..:) My nephews have a Spanish mum, Swedish dad and live in France and are fluent in all 3 languages (they are 2 and 3 years old). Interestingly they speak to each other in French! :rofl: |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8484275)
I'll be alright, they'll be bilingual from birth. Luckily it is easier for mixed nationality couples.
My nephews have a Spanish mum, Swedish dad and live in France and are fluent in all 3 languages (they are 2 and 3 years old). Interestingly they speak to each other in French! :rofl: |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8484014)
I havent chosen it!! I'm interested in it because yes, its bilingual. My daughter who is nearly 13 has been in a state school now for over a year and has learnt nothing at all - especially not Spanish, but all her education is suffering as a result! Some of her Spanish friends are planning to go to this new school and it is mainly aimed at Spanish who are keen for their children to learn English. Even the school my daughter is at has a bilingual category altho its only available to the Spanish and has a waiting list
My son is 15 and at an international school and is in the middle of his IGCSE courses, but its possible if this school is going to be given licence to teach the IB, it may be worth moving him there!! But its an interesting concept and one I've not heard of before. I wondered if anyone else had or had any thoughts about it! Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8484275)
I'll be alright, they'll be bilingual from birth. Luckily it is easier for mixed nationality couples.
My nephews have a Spanish mum, Swedish dad and live in France and are fluent in all 3 languages (they are 2 and 3 years old). Interestingly they speak to each other in French! :rofl: |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by Rotor
(Post 8484330)
Crikey even your family are geniuses as well as you:rofl::rofl: Most kids dont even speak their native language fluently at 2 and 3 !!!!
Yes, you're right the younger one speaks more with a collection of words at a time. They're not geniuses, it is normal. |
Re: opinions please??
A lot of spanish families have sent their children to the EIC college in Marbella as they are running a bi-lingual course.
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Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by manamama
(Post 8484225)
Main problems I think :
Some kids are too old - 9 or more Some kids have parents who aren't bothered Some kids aren't bothered Some kids don't get much needed help in class Wait till you have kids !! Nightmare..:) I think most new foreign students are put down the first year to evaluate them. Whilst I understand the reasons it's not always productive for the child to be in a class of younger students. Therefore, some young people do find it hard to settle in and this will affect their ability/desire to learn. All my children speak fluent spanish and learnt within a year going to a state school but they do have english friends who are having difficulties. jojojojojo, You didn't say your daughter was having difficulty and that was your reason for looking to alternatives, hence my reply. If your daughter is still struggling after the time she has had here then I think that by all means you should do whatever you think will help her. We did have some problems but luckily we were able to resolve them with the schools help. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8484047)
I've heard so many stories about British children not improving their Spanish at schools here in Spain. What is going wrong? :unsure: The previous state school my daughter was in had a lot of British kids, some learnt, others didnt. It seemed to me there were a fair few kids whose parents saw the school more as a childminding service than a school and were a little lax in even getting their kids there after a boozy night out!!!! Also with the difficulty of parents evenings, picking up notas etc, some parents obviously felt there was no point in going cos they wouldnt understand anyway Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 8483657)
if I could afford private bilingual school my 2 would be in one
BUT this one seems odd - & I'm not sure I would want my kids going to a brand new untried & untested school in any case there have been several cases of new schools opening in my area without the proper licences, only to be closed down - I would check that out too, very carefully MIT - isn't that a well-respected Uni in the states? maybe a bit of subliminal messaging in the school's name? the English on the website is seriously odd - it looks like a bad online translator has been used - the sentence construction is very Spanish - & whoever heard of a 'luminous' room? badly translated from luminoso probably |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by twistedmelon
(Post 8484415)
jojojojojo, You didn't say your daughter was having difficulty and that was your reason for looking to alternatives, hence my reply. If your daughter is still struggling after the time she has had here then I think that by all means you should do whatever you think will help her. We did have some problems but luckily we were able to resolve them with the schools help. I'm always looking for something, somewhere for my daughter to get a good education. She's actually enjoying the state school she's at, but altho she has friends and talks in Spansih to them a little, she refuses to speak it in the classroom and uses her lack of understanding as an excuse for almost everything according to her teacher. We now have a Spanish teacher at home, who she was deliberately uncooperative with yesterday!!!!!? She's a bright kid, but also a very tenatious one!! She still wants to go back to the UK, hates Spain and says she hates the Spanish and will not use their stupid language!! We do have some rather turbulent moments lol!!!!! jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8484572)
From what I've heard, there are many schools who tend to put the English kids in the back of the classroom with a colouring book and pencils and leave em to it!!!!
The previous state school my daughter was in had a lot of British kids, some learnt, others didnt. It seemed to me there were a fair few kids whose parents saw the school more as a childminding service than a school and were a little lax in even getting their kids there after a boozy night out!!!! Also with the difficulty of parents evenings, picking up notas etc, some parents obviously felt there was no point in going cos they wouldnt understand anyway Jo xxx I know parents like those you mentioned - kids don't go to school because the parents are still pissed from the night before & can't get up to take them kids who have to stay home to look after younger ones because mum & dad are too 'busy'/lazy I knew some like that in the UK too:( |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by lynnxa
(Post 8484613)
and some kids just don't want to learn & are the ones who would have probably been failing in the UK anyway
I know parents like those you mentioned - kids don't go to school because the parents are still pissed from the night before & can't get up to take them kids who have to stay home to look after younger ones because mum & dad are too 'busy'/lazy I knew some like that in the UK too:( Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by twistedmelon
(Post 8484415)
I would add to Number 3 a lot of children, understandably, do suffer emotionally moving, especially at certain ages.
I think most new foreign students are put down the first year to evaluate them. Whilst I understand the reasons it's not always productive for the child to be in a class of younger students. Therefore, some young people do find it hard to settle in and this will affect their ability/desire to learn. All my children speak fluent spanish and learnt within a year going to a state school but they do have english friends who are having difficulties. jojojojojo, You didn't say your daughter was having difficulty and that was your reason for looking to alternatives, hence my reply. If your daughter is still struggling after the time she has had here then I think that by all means you should do whatever you think will help her. We did have some problems but luckily we were able to resolve them with the schools help. New country, new language, new friends to make...Arghhhh How scary ! No wonder education wise, the kids struggle.. Generally, I would discourage people bringing children over 9 without the needed support...ie parents extra time/caring and language learning. Without helping their children, parents will find their children will learn little while in Spain. Sad eh. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8484599)
she refuses to speak it in the classroom and uses her lack of understanding as an excuse for almost everything according to her teacher. We now have a Spanish teacher at home, who she was deliberately uncooperative with yesterday!!!!!?
She's a bright kid, but also a very tenatious one!! She still wants to go back to the UK, hates Spain and says she hates the Spanish and will not use their stupid language!! We do have some rather turbulent moments lol!!!!! jo xxx In which case you can only hope she will grow through this phase, trying to encourage her may well result in her determination not to. Sometimes it is better to let them find their own way rather than you trying to find it for them. All the best |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 8483774)
And even if a teacher could invest that, are we saying they select teachers based on how much money they have? If i were a parent, it would be my biggest concern. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by rachelk
(Post 8486372)
As a teacher, that's my biggest question.
If i were a parent, it would be my biggest concern. Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8486389)
But investing in ones own talents and business ideas is quite commonplace dont you think? Thats what my husband had to do many years ago when he first wanted to start a business - He needed to buy/lease premises, equipment, stock, pay staff etc...... He got a business loan on the strength of his faith that it would succeed and his business plan!
Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by rachelk
(Post 8486406)
Do you think the banks will be giving loans to teachers then so they can get jobs at this school?
Its possible if they produce a business plan, some projected figures of how the moneys would be paid back and the bank thought it was a safe investment! Business is business! This is similar to how Doctors surgeries in the UK work. The GPs put money in to start up a practice. They have to have premises, staff, equipment and they have to take out business loans to do it...........They then become partners of the practice. However, will this work for a school???? Apparently its something thats been done already in Madrid and is working well ???????!!! Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Sounds like whoever is at the top is a shrewd git, getting people to pay for his business and making sure they work for him in handcuffs. ;);)
All he has to do is reap in the profits, or if the crap hits the fan he is easy out with no cost. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jdr
(Post 8486475)
Sounds like whoever is at the top is a shrewd git, getting people to pay for his business and making sure they work for him in handcuffs. ;);)
All he has to do is reap in the profits, or if the crap hits the fan he is easy out with no cost. Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jdr
(Post 8486475)
Sounds like whoever is at the top is a shrewd git, getting people to pay for his business and making sure they work for him in handcuffs.
Indeed. 25 staff according to post above, each investing 120.000€ - that's 3€million of his start-up loan paid off. Will the staff be paid salaries or just dividends? Will the salaries cover the loan repayments? What if they default on repayments when interest rates rise and the mortgage becomes more expensive? |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by rachelk
(Post 8486501)
Indeed. 25 staff according to post above, each investing 120.000€ - that's 3€million of his start-up loan paid off.
Will the staff be paid salaries or just dividends? Will the salaries cover the loan repayments? What if they default on repayments when interest rates rise and the mortgage becomes more expensive? I know that the school, which is 3/4 built has cost 3 million, so therefore its not got any outstanding depts as such....... Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Question is............do you want to put your children in a new school with new ideas or an established school with a proven track record?
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Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by rachelk
(Post 8486372)
As a teacher, that's my biggest question.
If i were a parent, it would be my biggest concern. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by Madridboy
(Post 8486528)
Question is............do you want to put your children in a new school with new ideas or an established school with a proven track record?
Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by Carol&John
(Post 8486533)
Who vets the background and credentials of the teaching staff at this private school?
Jo xxx |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by jojojojojo
(Post 8486539)
I know the local Junta has given the school the land its being built on, and are keen that this school should work so I assume that they're involved in its setting up???????
Jo xxx I would have to ask what is behind the Junta giving this land to a private venture. I would assume it's a vote winner probably paid for by some EU grant. Unless there is a shortage of schools in the area it can't be anything else. |
Re: opinions please??
Originally Posted by twistedmelon
(Post 8486566)
It seems like everyone is expecting you to know the answers;)
I would have to ask what is behind the Junta giving this land to a private venture. I would assume it's a vote winner probably paid for by some EU grant. Unless there is a shortage of schools in the area it can't be anything else. The Junta giving the land is something to do with the Málaga technology park that its being built on, cos there are sizable discounts for the children of the technology park staff?? Apparently alot of thes staff are american and want their children to go to a school that teaches in their own language and is nearby?? WTF?????? :blink: Jo xxx |
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