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I The story of teaching in Spain

Classics teaching in Spain has lost relevance and importance progressively. During the last century, different plans have reduced the role of Classics, reducing the hours of teaching, turning classical subjects into options and raising the age at which students can enjoy them.

In 1938, the Plan Sáinz Rodríguez, gave Classics a relevant place in Secondary Education. Latin was taught in all levels, for seven years, and Greek in the last three. In the 1953 Plan, secondary education was split into two levels. In the elementary level (four courses), Latin was compulsory for three years, becoming two years in 1957: in the upper level Latin was taught in the Arts path for three courses.

In 1970, the General Act for Education organised upper Secondary Education (post compulsory) into two ways, academic and vocational, for students from 14 to 18 years of age. The academic path was comprised of the BUP (three years) and the COU (one year). In BUP, Latin was compulsory during one course for all the students. After that, they could study Latin and Greek in the Arts branch.

In 1990, the LOGSE was enacted. Compulsory and free secondary education was extended up to 16 years of age. It divided Secondary Education into ESO (compulsory) and Bachillerato (post compulsory).

II The modern secondary school system in Spain

At present, the secondary education system is being discussed in Parliament and the situation about Classics is likely to change.

Compulsory Education, ESO, lasts four courses, divided into two cycles of two years. Students have compulsory subjects and optional ones. The Government establishes the minimum curriculum for the State as a whole, but the independent communities may organise optional subjects.

Upper secondary education is not compulsory. It is divided into Bachillerato (academic) and Ciclos Formativos (vocational). The Bachillerato lasts two courses (from 16 up to 18 years of age) and has four different aspects: Arts, Natural Science and Health, Humanities and Social Studies, and Technology. It is organised into subjects common for all students, specific subjects from each course area and optional subjects. The Government establishes the minimum curriculum of the common subjects, representing 55% of the school timetable for those communities having an official language different than Spanish, and 65 % for those that do not. It is up to each independent community to develop these curricula to distribute the specific subjects and to determine the optional subjects. Because of that, among the different independent communities there are certain differences in educational paths and timetables, especially in the treatment of optional subjects.

After the Bachillerato, students must pass an examination about common and specific subjects for each path, if they want to go to university. This examination, named Selectividad, is prepared by the university and it is different for each independent community.

III Classical subjects within the secondary system of Spain

In the ESO (compulsory education), classical culture must be available in both years of the second cycle (14 up to 16 years of age) as an optional subject. Classical studies are specific subjects (Latin and Greek) within the Humanities and Social Studies branch in the Bachillerato (non compulsory upper Secondary Education). Students can choose them for two years. The programmes focus on the study of language. The objective is to prepare students for the Selectividad Exam, normally a translation of a classical text (Latin and Greek to Spanish), and questions about grammar, etymology, and ancient civilisation.

Depending on the independent community, there are optional subjects related to Classics. In the Valencia Community, for example, there are subjects focusing on the study of lexical roots, or classical references in modern cultural manifestations.

IV How to become a teacher of Classics in Spain

To become teachers of Classics we need to complete a university degree, and obtain a Classical Philology degree, which takes five years. Once we have our degree, we need to pass a course of pedagogical training to work as a teacher in a public school. To get a job in a public school, teachers must pass an examination, organised by the independent communities.

However, it is possible for us to work as temporary teachers in public schools by applying for it and taking part in the lists that the educational authorities open. It is very hard to get a job as a teacher of Classics and teachers usually wait for years to work in a public school.

V Further Information

There is further information at http://www.mec.es/educa/index.html