The 'Future of Bilingual Education' study, led by the University of Córdoba, and delivered in collaboration with the British Council, within the framework of the Bilingual Education Programme (BEP), aimed to establish student perceptions towards their bilingual education.
Respondents were students BEP pupils (or had participated in the BEP up to Year 4 of compulsory secondary education) while the rest were pupils attending the same secondary school but enrolled in other general bilingual (GBP) or non-bilingual programmes (NBP).
The study looked at four key areas by collecting data, via an online survey, from 2,829 secondary students from 34 secondary schools in Spain.
Key area 1: Internationalisation and mobility
Key area 2: Employability
Key area 3: Intercultural competence
Key area 4: Plurilingual competence
The FoBE study highlights that bilingual programme students report higher levels of intercultural competence, empathy, and a more pronounced global citizenship perspective. They also perceive that their bilingual education is a pathway to better employment opportunities, higher salaries, and increased chances of studying or working abroad.
The study also reveals that students enrolled in bilingual programs exhibit a stronger sense of European identity, with a 10% higher feeling of belonging to the European Union compared to their peers in non-bilingual programmes.
FoBE's findings highlight too the role which bilingual education plays in enabling access to international programmes during school years, stating “Bilingual education is the passport to an international experience”. Furthermore by participating in international programmes, students’ creativity, critical thinking, social skills, teamwork and digital competence are enhanced. And let us not forget that both students from bilingual and non-bilingual programmes acknowledge the positive impact of bilingual education on language proficiency.
FoBE - Future of Bilingual Education (PID2021-127031OB-I00) is a four-year research project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation in Spain.
Download the report in English: Future of Bilingual Education Bilingual Education Programme
Download the report in Spanish: Future of Bilingual Education Programa Educativo Bilingüe