In our institution, starting from September 1, 2021, we offer Hungarian-English bilingual education. This program was initially introduced in a sequential manner, beginning with the zeroth grade, which serves as the language preparatory class for our high school. Continuous enrollment in the current bilingual programs is possible when the applicant reaches the required language proficiency level (CEFR B1), has completed bilingual education previously, or demonstrates appropriate academic performance.
The goal of bilingual education is to develop students' high-level foreign language skills and their ability to learn in a foreign language across various subjects, taking advantage of subject integration opportunities. In this educational format, the simultaneous and balanced development of both native and foreign language communicative competence is the aim. Students participating in bilingual education get acquainted with the traditions and culture of the English-speaking world, making them more open-minded and accepting. The result of learning new material in the target language is a globally minded student. The comprehensive knowledge acquired here can be applied in various aspects of life.
Starting from September 2024, in the first three grades of the primary school, students will receive four hours of English instruction each week, while in the 5th grade, they will have five hours of English instruction, in addition to acquiring different subject knowledge in the target language. In the 1st and 2nd grades, the subjects of music and visual culture are taught for two hours each week, while in the 3rd and 4th grades, these subjects are replaced by environmental studies, digital culture, and technology, each for one hour per week. Physical education is taught in English for five hours per week in the primary school, spanning all 8 grades.
In the upper grades, students have five hours of English, two hours of history, one hour of target language civilization, one hour of digital culture, and five hours of physical education, all in the target language. In the 5th and 6th grades, students also explore the mysteries of natural science, while in the 7th and 8th grades, they delve into the subject of geography, for two and one hour per week, respectively.
Currently, in the 5-year language preparatory zeroth grade of the high school, alongside 18 hours of English, students learn physical education and digital culture in English for five and three hours, respectively. With this language proficiency, they will study the same curriculum in the target language starting from the next academic year as students in the 4-year program. Besides the five hours of English per week, history, digital culture, and target language civilization subjects aid in expanding their knowledge and skills at all four grade levels, complemented by biology and geography subjects in the 9th and 10th grades, with natural science taking over in the 11th grade.
The language proficiency to be achieved in bilingual education (corresponding to the entrance requirements for higher grade levels) is as follows: A2 level in the 6th grade, B1 level in the 8th grade, B2 level in the 10th grade, and C2 level in the 12th grade. Our goal is for our students to acquire language skills that will enable them to succeed at any university worldwide.
If you find our program appealing, you can get in touch with our school by clicking here or by emailing us at hu@maarifschools.org!
