Choosing Bachillerato or FP in Spain
Talking through the choice between Bachillerato and vocational training, school places and deadlines in Spain.
At 16, after 4º de ESO, Spanish students choose between Bachillerato (sciences, humanities and social sciences, or arts) leading to the university entrance exam, and FP, vocational training with strong job prospects. Places at public 'institutos' depend on your zone and an application where you rank schools by preference. The cards follow a parent talking it through with their son, the school counsellor and another parent at an open day.
- 1
Mi hijo empieza bachillerato el curso que viene.
My son starts sixth form next year.
- 2
¿Qué instituto nos toca por zona?
Which school are we zoned for?
- 3
Todavía no sabe si hacer ciencias o letras.
He still doesn't know whether to do sciences or humanities.
- 4
La FP tiene muchas salidas.
Vocational training has great job prospects.
- 5
Depende de lo que quiera estudiar después.
It depends on what he wants to study afterwards.
- 6
¿Qué nota media hace falta para entrar?
What average grade do you need to get in?
- 7
¿Cuándo acaba el plazo de solicitud?
When does the application period end?
- 8
¿Hay jornada de puertas abiertas?
Is there an open day?
- 9
Me gustaría hablar con la orientadora.
I'd like to talk to the school counsellor.
- 10
¿Es público o concertado?
Is it state or state-subsidised?
- 11
Me preocupa la presión de la selectividad.
The pressure of the university entrance exam worries me.
- 12
Prefiero que elija algo que le guste.
I'd rather he chose something he enjoys.
- 13
¿Tiene programa bilingüe?
Does it have the bilingual programme?
- 14
Se le dan bien las mates, pero le cuestan los idiomas.
He's good at maths but finds languages hard.
- 15
Si no entra, ¿cuál es el plan B?
If he doesn't get in, what's plan B?
- 16
Hay que poner varios centros por orden de preferencia.
You have to rank several schools in order of preference.
- 17
¿El horario es solo de mañana?
Is the timetable mornings only?
- 18
¿Le pilla muy lejos?
Is it very far for him?
- 19
No hay que precipitarse, todavía hay tiempo.
Let's not rush, there's still time.
- 20
Elija lo que elija, lo vamos a apoyar.
Whatever he chooses, we'll support him.