Bilingual schools, or colegios bilingues, in Argentina have undergone significant transformations since they were founded in the 19th century. The schools evolved from heritage schools founded for the needs of particular immigrant communities to dual-language schools with programs aimed mainly at monolingual Spanish speakers, and, finally, to a new type of bilingual institution: the global language school.
According to C. Banfi and R. Day in their 2004 article "The Evolution of Bilingual Schools in Argentina," the latter model stems from the advance of globalization and weakening of ethnicity-based cultural links and traditions. Argentina's bilingual schools show a high degree of diversity, notwithstanding the common perception of bilingual education in Argentina as a homogenous system.
During a recent visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, I witnessed firsthand how these global schools provide an educational experience for the whole child. I met with executive staff of the English Speaking Scholastic Association of the River Plate (ESSARP). ESSARP was originally founded in 1926 as the British Scholastic Association to provide a forum for interchange between the headmasters of the British-type schools in Argentina and Uruguay. In 1991, the association admitted independent schools as affiliate members, thus opening its facilities and services to the full constituency of bilingual schools in greater Buenos Aires.
I was afforded the opportunity to visit a sampling of ESSARP-member bilingual schools. I was also pleased to be a guest of honor and to say a few words to the senior school students (junior and senior years) at the first day of school assembly at St. Andrew's Scots School. St. Andrew's has approximately 1,900 students who receive a fully bilingual education. All of its students are expected to complete seven IGCSE exams (Cambridge University) in year 10 and receive an International Baccalaureate diploma in the last year of school.
Students are taught to inquire deeply; work responsibly; and care for others, themselves, and the environment. The school models a holistic approach to learning by building students' character in a diverse and respectful community; expecting high standards of discipline and commitment; supporting students to reach their full potential; and nurturing their intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
St. Hilda's College is a bilingual coeducational school offering instruction in Spanish and English to students from the ages of 2–18. All students are taught towards the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), a group school leaving certificate examined by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. Admission to selected AICE subjects is gained after careful evaluation of IGCSE 16+ examinations.
The school's physical education program involves all students in an all-round development program and offers them expansive opportunities to compete within Argentina and internationally. Music is also important at St. Hilda's. All students receive lessons on two instruments. The students are organized in houses and compete in sporting, musical, and cultural events throughout the academic year.
Considerable thought is given to the quality of teaching in the school. The school promotes and supports the continuous development of its staff. Teachers contracted from the United Kingdom help ensure that the staff is well-versed in the latest teaching methods.
ESSARP has also made providing professional development for educators a top priority. ESSARP has been exploring different ways of providing courses that can be tailor-made to the individual requirements of the different schools. Site-based designs allow schools to make decisions about professional development goals and content, model and education procedures, and provide opportunities to build a culture of continuous learning for all members of the school staff. Courses and the number of sessions have steadily increased, catering to the needs and requirements of teachers and headmasters at all levels—kindergarten, primary, and secondary—in both English and Spanish.
With their focus on languages, arts and culture, and health and wellness, these Argentine schools prepare students for life beyond school walls in a global 21st century society.