Bilingual education

What is bilingual education?

For us, bilingual education means that learners study typical school subjects – for example, maths or geography – through an additional language (such as English) and some subjects through their first language, or they may study the same subject through two languages.

This understanding of bilingual education is linked to other educational concepts such as Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and dual-language education.

Cambridge and bilingual education

Many schools around the world use Cambridge programmes and qualifications as the English-medium strand of a bilingual education programme. We are working with schools on bilingual education projects in countries such as Argentina, Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. 

Cambridge works in partnership with schools and ministries of education to ensure that Cambridge programmes fit in with national requirements. Bilingual teaching methods vary, but the flexibility of the Cambridge approach means that learners can work towards a Cambridge qualification through the medium of English while also following their own national curriculum. 

We also develop bilingual programmes tailored specifically for ministries of education and groups of schools in certain countries, for example in Egypt, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.

We aim to keep informed of research in bilingual education and to provide support for school leaders and teachers, in order to benefit bilingual learners.