Abstract:

One of the issues that most diversity of opinions is currently causing is the “bilingualism”. Only in Andalusia, there are 1,079 bilingual public teaching centers.

Nevertheless, is it beneficial? Thus, University of Jaén led a pioneering study that demonstrates the positive effects of bilingual education, such as linguistic competence in English, the improvement of cognitive processes and the plasticity of the mind in the student and the absence of negative effects on the native language (1).

However, many people disagree with these statements. A recent study of Carlos III University has shown a negative effect on the competences and knowledge of the students in other subjects that were given in English (2). These problems derive from the resources shortage from schools to be able to impart these subjects. Moreover, the lack of preparation of the faculty to be able to give the classes in another language, and the segregation, which eliminates the equality between social classes, are aspects influence in the dropout.

Regarding the University, the level of languages is quite limited, in fact, only the B1 level is required as an essential condition to finish the degree, and sometimes, for the students this is a great effort. Additionally, in different degrees studied for this article of the University of Seville (3), (Pharmacy, Biomedicine, and Optics), students are scarce in opportunities to be able to choose a subject in which they reinforce or keep improving their level of English.

For this reason, we propose dissemination sessions and training courses where participants expose a relevant issue related to the corresponding subject and the poster, exhibition and discussion are in English. In this way, we not only promote improvement in the topic to be discussed and communication skills, but also we help to achieve a good level of English in a fun and interesting way (4,5).

References:
[1] http://andaluciainformacion.es/wadi-as/653684/la-uja-estudia-los-beneficios-del-bilingismo
[2] https://politica.elpais.com/politica/2017/10/06/actualidad/1507284770_581444.html
[3] http://www.us.es/estudios/grados/index.html
[4] N. Iglesias, R. Lucas, E. Galbis, M. V. de Paz. A critical issue to be faced by future health graduates. Proceedings of EDULEARN17 Conference, 9162-9166. ISBN: 978-84-697-3777-4.
[5] E. Galbis, M. V. de Paz, A. Alcudia, N. Iglesias, Science spreading across society. Research disclosure days for students of experimental sciences. Proceedings of INTED2017 Conference, 2843-2846. ISBN: 978-84-617-8491-2.

Keywords:

Bilingualism, Cooperative Group Work, Communicative Skills, Teaching Innovation.