Education abroad has always been of particular interest to Russian students. This article discusses the issue of higher education institutions in Spain, the education system of this country, as well as some historical facts that a person who decides to visit this state needs to know.
The emergence of the first universities
The Spanish national education system began to take shape immediately after this state gained independence. That is, already in the Middle Ages, the first universities appear here. Basically, they were not much different from educational institutions of this type in other European countries.
The diploma that was issued at the end of the course testified to a person having a philosophical education. But this did not necessarily mean that the student specialized in this particular discipline. In those days, the word "philosophy" was used in a generalized sense. So were called almost all areas of knowledge. Typically, students of higher educational institutions in Spain received the specialty of a navigator, merchant or military.
Primary and secondary education in Spain
Today in the homeland of bullfighting there are both state educational institutions and private ones. There is also a third type where co-financing is provided. As a rule, there are only general education schools of this kind. Co-financing means that part of the funds for educating children comes from the state budget, and the rest of the money is allocated by the Catholic Church. But one should not be afraid that religion interferes in the affairs of education. Education in these schools is purely secular.
Learning Features
The education system in Spain strongly resembles the Russian scheme. As in our country, the obligatory for a person is the primary and secondary link.
In the same way, the stages of training are divided according to age categories. A child goes to school, as a rule, at the age of 7, and upon reaching twelve he goes to the middle level. Two senior classes are not required for the student. During the last years of training, the child is preparing for university entrance.
Opportunities for foreigners
Education in Spain for Russian schoolchildren is complicated by the fact that in order to enter this educational institution a residence permit is required in any city in the country. Also, those who wish to take a trip for educational purposes need to join the appropriate program. In addition, a child entering school is required to pass 3 exams: on knowledge of the Spanish language, general subject testing, as well as answer a few interview questions.
The language barrier
As for the need for a preliminary study of Spanish, it is only necessary in order to pass the aforementioned test. You can visit the institution, where all items, with the exception of a few, are in English. Thus, higher, secondary and primary education can be carried out in the state language or in one of the many dialects. An English course option is also possible. Typically, schools in the latter category are funded by the UK government.
For students, registration is not required
The following rules apply to international university students. They do not have to be registered in any Spanish city, as it should be for schoolchildren. But young people have this right, provided they live in a host family.
Pre-school education in Spain
In the country where the flamenco dance appeared, for many decades there has been a system of educational institutions involved in the education of children from six months to six years of age. Usually, a certain scheme is used to divide children into groups. Boys and girls under 3 years old are considered to be the younger kindergarten age, and pupils from 3 to 6 to the older group. Along with state institutions there are a huge number of private institutions. Education and training in kindergartens can be carried out in Spanish, French, Italian or English.
Visiting such establishments is optional. Therefore, the upbringing of a child up to 6 years old can be provided to the parents themselves. There are many supporters and opponents of having a preschooler go to kindergarten. The former usually bring in their defense the argument that it is easier for children to learn Spanish and other languages, as well as other subjects, if the training is conducted by specialists.
For those who want to go to college
The education system of Spain provides for special schools where in-depth study of the state language is conducted for foreign students. Such establishments are usually commercial. In addition to linguistic courses, the program may contain in-depth classes in physical education, the humanities, and so on.
Also, many courses are taught by various educational centers, during which Spanish is taught for Russian students during the holidays. As a rule, such trips also include excursions and lectures on the culture and history of the country.
A budget option
For those who do not have the opportunity to spend large amounts on education in Spain, there is the opportunity to learn the language of this country almost for free. This requires becoming a member of one of the programs for recruiting volunteers. People who agree to work for free can live in the so-called host families. This provides an excellent opportunity to practice spoken Spanish, as well as to be completely immersed in a foreign spoken environment.
As a rule, in addition to family members in whose house the volunteer lives, several people attach themselves to him, who conduct tours of various museums, exhibitions, theaters, and so on, show numerous attractions. Such people are called buddy.
About Higher Education
In the country referred to in this article, there are two types of educational institutions that you can enter after graduation. Graduates have the right to choose either an institute or a university as a continuation of studies. It should be noted that higher education in Spain is carried out only by institutions of the latter type. Institutions are called institutions, like our colleges or technical schools. That is, the diploma obtained at the end of the training course in such institutions indicates the presence of a person not of higher, but secondary vocational education.
Respect for learning
Most Spaniards have a secondary vocational education. Such a diploma allows them to fully carry out successful work. Studying at universities is considered something extremely complex. Therefore, most Spaniards are extremely respectful of university students. Needless to say, a person who has a document confirming the end of such an institution can easily find a decent job in any city in this country.
Almost like in Russia
The education system in Spain is not much different from the Russian one. This is because the educational institutions of this country are governed by general European rules and agreements.
The period of study at the university usually consists of three parts. The first of these is preliminary. During the passage of the program, preparation for the main course of the educational institution is carried out. This step lasts about 2 years. After it, the student proceeds to master the undergraduate course. This program also has a duration of 2-3 academic years. A bachelor’s diploma allows a person to make the transition to the next link in the program - graduate. However, education at this level is not required. Undergraduates also pass exams and defend their diploma after 2 years of study.
Graduate and Business Courses
A person who has received a master's degree has the opportunity to pass entrance exams to graduate school. During training at this stage of education in Spain, preparations are underway to defend a dissertation. After completing the course, the person defends the work for the degree of doctor. Also, after graduating from the magistracy in some universities, specialized programs are being implemented that prepare to engage in business at various levels. However, such courses do not exist in every university, but only in educational institutions of large cities and in the capital of the state.
Financial issue
It is also worth mentioning that in Spanish universities there is only a paid form of study. However, this state of affairs is an indisputable advantage for international students. Due to this, in this country there is no harassment of students from other states.
The teaching profession has always been very popular and respected among the population of Spain. Over the past 100 years, the income of teachers in schools and higher educational institutions has been maintained at a fairly high level. The salaries of teachers in this country were almost equal to the salaries of the same specialists from England and the United States of America.
However, in recent years, due to the outbreak of the global financial crisis, the Spanish government had to adopt a decree to reduce educational benefits. This led to a series of protests, as well as to the fact that teachers began to earn extra money by tutoring and writing diploma, course and control tasks. Which, no doubt, did not have the best effect on the quality of education in the country.
History of Spanish Statehood
The story of the country's educational institutions will not be complete, if you do not provide some information about significant periods of development of this European power.
First of all, it is worth mentioning that education in Spain became possible to carry out in full, that is, in the national language and according to the traditions of the people, only in the late Middle Ages. This is due to the fact that this territory for many centuries was under the yoke of the Arab invaders. Therefore, we can speak about the history of the formation of Spain only by considering the period when this land was liberated from foreign invasions.
Historical periods
The formation of Spain as a state was preceded by numerous periods of history. So, the first settlements on this territory arose several thousand years before the birth of Christ. Then on the Iberian Peninsula there lived a people called the Iberians. These ancient Spaniards learned early enough to mine and process iron.
From the sale of products from this metal, the state treasury was mainly replenished. On the eve of the New Era, the territory was captured by the Byzantines, to whom the ancient Iberians began to pay tribute. After that, the Spaniards were subjected to another conquest company. This time, their country became part of the Great Roman Empire. Madrid and the future Andalusia became the second most important centers of the great power after Italy itself.
The invasion of the moors
In the VII-VIII centuries, the territory, due to several wars of conquest, came under the rule of the Visigoths. However, these tribes were not destined to rule in Spain for long. Soon, the Byzantines began to claim these fertile lands rich in vast vegetation again. To fight them, the Visigoths called their allies from the Arab caliphate.
The Moors who came to the Iberian Peninsula almost completely captured it and made it part of a vast empire.
Exemption
In the 6th grade, "Education in Spain" is one of the topics studied in history lessons. The contents of this issue will be briefly described below.
The Moors who came to the Iberian Peninsula made a significant contribution to the formation of a peculiar original culture of the Spanish people. In particular, the musical genre and type of flamenco dance art arose on the basis of Arabic melodics. Philologists speak of a significant proportion of borrowed oriental words and phrases used in modern Spanish. Immediately after the conquest, the Reconquista movement began. The formation of Spain and Portugal took place after 7 centuries in the course of numerous successful military companies carried out in the process of reconquering territories.
In the end, the peninsula was completely liberated from the rule of the Arabs. The year of foundation of Spain is considered to be 1479. This event is associated with the name of the great navigator Christopher Columbus. The date of formation of Spain is October 12. This day coincides with the date of discovery of America. It was chosen as a national holiday for the Spaniards for the reason that during the successful journey of the great navigator, a huge territory was annexed to the Spanish Empire.
The state in that era experienced an unprecedented flowering of the economy.
Conclusion
Spain is a great world power, formed under the influence of numerous historical processes. The works created by local artists, musicians, poets, aroused and are of interest to lovers of beauty from around the globe.
The language of the country can also be regarded as an amazing phenomenon. Since he experienced the influence of not only local culture, but also was influenced by the many peoples who inhabited this territory at different times.
Higher education in Spain, as well as training at other levels, is very popular due to the quality of teaching and the rich culture in which the student is immersed. Therefore, those wishing to obtain a diploma of a foreign university should consider, among other options, Spanish institutions.