Bilingual Education (TTO)
In August 2005 Porta Mosana started the bilingual Lyceum and in 2006 the bilingual Athenaeum was added. Bilingual education means non-language courses are taught in another language other than the mother tongue (Dutch). At our school this second language is English.
Just like the regular vwo the bilingual vwo takes 6 years. In the lower years at least 50% of all courses are taught in English. More specifically: English, Biology, Geography, History, Science, Arts, Music, Social Skills, Drama and P.E. (LO).
In the upper grades bilingual students prepare for the International Baccalaureate English A2-level next to their regular programme. In the regular vwo programme 4 courses are in English: Science for Public understanding (ANW), European and International Studies (ML), Classical Studies (KCV) and Physical Education (LO). The social skills internship in vwo 5 and the final paper of vwo 6 also have to be written in English and require an excellent mastering of the English language. Bilingual Education is an ordinary department with an extraordinary programme. The quality of the student counselling, the extra-curricular activities, the internationalisation programme, the communication with the parents and the quality of the education are all part of the regular Porta Mosana qualities and thus also apply to the Bilingual department.
Why Bilingual Education?
In the Netherlands and the rest of Europe more and more University Faculties offer their courses in English. In nearly all colleges and universities English books and information is used. With our bilingual Athenaeum and Lyceum we prepare our students for these English studies in the best way possible.
Bilingual curriculum
In a bilingual class we pay a lot of attention to stimulating the development of English as a working language. Students take one extra hour of English in comparison with regular students. The classes in French (first year) and German (second year) are also taught in the target language as much as possible. From the first year on, Lyceum students also take Latin.
The bilingual study programme prepares for two final exams: the normal vwo-exam and the exam of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) for English A2. These two certificates grant a bilingual education student access to international universities.
On top of that all bilingual students participate in a public speaking contest. In the second and third year students compete for a place in the provincial and national contest, organized by the European platform in cooperation with the British Consulate.
Every year English speaking theatre groups visit the schools. Big Wheel has become a popular guest.
In every year bilingual students get the opportunity to participate in an English fieldtrip abroad, where both the stay and the programme offer a submersion in the English language and culture.
What students qualify for Bilingual Education?
This particular study programme is meant for pupils who have shown in their primary school years that they dispose of above average intellectual capacities and are motivated students. They must be prepared to do more than just the normal programme. Pupils start with a three year bilingual programme in the lower grades. Therefore the primary school teachers must be convinced that the student qualifies as a vwo student and CITO scores of 545 for Bilingual VWO and 547 for Bilingual Lyceum is required.
What is the fee?
Parents are expected to pay an extra yearly fee for the bilingual programme. In the school year 2010 – 2011 this was € 495,-. This amount does not cover the excursions abroad. The bilingual fee is used for:
- Extra personnel costs because of the smaller groups.
- Extra costs for the book fund (English Books)
- Specific bilingual study material
- Development of extra bilingual activities
- Coordination of the Bilingual programme
Our world is changing rapidly. Twenty years ago most people finished their studies, got a job at a company and continued working there for the rest of their lives. Nowadays people who enter the labour market have to be prepared for a working life with big, rapid, changes.
Besides, our world is growing. We will have to be able to function outside our own country. This means that we need to be able to understand other cultures and respect their rules, customs and traditions as well as having a good knowledge of languages. To be a successful student you cannot do without these skills either. In fact they are essential to be successful in whatever you do.
Skills such as:- being able to work in groups, being a good listener, respecting the opinion of others even if it differs from our own, but also accepting guidance and suggestions from others when learning new things. Although social skills are trained in all courses at the Porta Mosana College it is an extra subject within the curriculum for all students. At TTO it is taught in English and the students are offered more classes than in the havo and vwo departments.
Drama
The same counts for Drama. The drama classes, taught in the first three years, offer more than just performing on stage. It is the perfect learning environment for the development of social skills. Learning verbal communication skills like: explaining, informing, planning, arguing, negotiating, debating, making presentations, etc. But it is also very useful for learning how to deal with others and yourself: developing self-confidence is an important aspect of personal development.
In drama classes you learn to respect other people: respect for other cultures with different social rules; respect for another generation of people, for the other sex, for other religions, etc.
In drama classes you also learn to express yourself. Besides drama is a course which allows students of different levels and interests to work together very well.
Personal Professional Development (LOB)
Personal Professional Development is part of the Dutch school curriculum. The course offers students the opportunity to prepare themselves for higher education and their future career. Besides getting and gathering information on the possibilities in higher education the students also learn to critically observe their own interests and to find out which skills they have already mastered and which skills need to be developed. In short: they learn to make choices. What study and what career suits me and what kind of future do I want to build for myself?