The British International School of Tenerife delivers a high-quality education based on the British Curriculum, enriched by weekly Spanish lessons from the age of four through to the end of Secondary Education.
By cultivating fluency in both English and Spanish, our students become truly bilingual, strengthening their opportunities to follow academic and professional pathways in Spain and around the world.
This bilingual journey allows them to access both Spanish and international universities, opening doors to a wider range of future possibilities.
Students build linguistic confidence and cultural understanding through a progressive and meaningful curriculum.
In Primary education, Spanish-taught lessons include Spanish language, literature and social science.
The social science curriculum combines geographical and historical content, with particular emphasis on the Canary Islands and wider Spanish heritage.
In Secondary, students continue with the Spanish curriculum subjects required by the Spanish Ministry of Education.
In Sixth Form, they may choose from a wide range of additional subjects taught in Spanish in order to achieve the best possible university entrance grade.
However, it is important to note that studying only A Levels also grants access to Spanish universities.
From the first inhabitants of our islands, the Guanches, pupils explore in Topic the geographical and historical features that have shaped our identity.
In Secondary, the Travel and Tourism subject builds on this knowledge by examining tourism, travel patterns, and their cultural and economic impact on the Canary Islands.
Learners also study Spanish and local artists, connecting creative expression with the traditions that define our culture.
This helps students understand that culture is not only studied academically, but also experienced through art, community and shared celebration.
Celebrations and traditions are a vibrant part of school life. Events such as San Andrés, when children run through the streets dragging old tins and pans, the colourful Spanish Carnival, and the Day of the Canary Islands help bring local heritage to life in meaningful and memorable ways.
The Day of the Canary Islands is marked by a whole-school performance and a traditional Canarian games fair, reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared identity across the school community.
For further information about the Spanish curriculum and subject pathways, please visit the Spanish Department.
