What Are Bilingual Schools? And Why They Might Be the Right Fit for Families and Teachers 

Bilingual schools are another option for global families and educators to consider in addition to international schools. But what exactly are bilingual schools, and what makes them different from traditional international or local schools?

Let’s look at what bilingual schools are, how they function, and what unique advantages they can offer for teachers and families abroad.

What Is a Bilingual School?

A bilingual school delivers instruction in two languages – often the local language and an international language such as English, French, or Spanish. Unlike immersion programs that aim to teach a second language through full exposure, bilingual schools intentionally divide instruction time between two languages. This can be 50/50 or 70/30, depending on the age group and the school’s philosophy.

For example, a bilingual school in China may offer math and science in English. But humanities and art are taught in Mandarin. In some schools, co-teaching models are used, with a native speaker of each language leading instruction together.

Why Bilingual Education Is Powerful

Research consistently shows that children educated in two languages often develop:

• Stronger cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills
• Greater cultural empathy and the ability to adapt
• Long-term advantages – both academically and professionally

For families living abroad, these schools offer children the chance to integrate into their host culture. And at the same time, maintain fluency in a global language, usually English.

Benefits for International Teachers

Teaching in a bilingual school can be an incredible experience. These schools typically fall under the Ministry of Education of the country they operate in and are usually private, but some are state schools. They often:

• Encourage collaborative, multicultural teaching teams
• Offer plenty of opportunities for cross-cultural professional development
• Attract families who are more open to cultural integration
• Allow teachers to learn or improve their own second language skills

Bilingual schools do not typically follow the IB program.

Qualifications Required to Teach at a Bilingual School

The qualifications needed to teach in a bilingual school are often not as stringent as the qualifications you need for an international school (where you’ll need evidence of a teaching license). 

Many bilingual schools only require teachers to hold a Bachelor of Arts degree. This means you often get teachers who have worked and trained in their fields, but they aren’t necessarily trained teachers. For example, an archaeologist teaching history or a scientist or engineer teaching science. 

Salary and Work-Life Balance Considerations

Bilingual schools can offer more work/life balance than a full international school. At a bilingual school, teachers often adapt to local cultures, while at an international school, it creates its own culture.

The salary is however typically lower at a bilingual school than at an international school. 

“If a bilingual school offers an English program, parents usually pay higher fees as they need to offer higher salaries to attract foreign hires. But the pay is still typically less than international schools, sometimes half the pay you’d get at an IB school.” 

Tina, an experienced international teacher and mum, has taught in Slovakia, Korea, Thailand, Portugal and Prague

Why Some Families Love Bilingual Schools

For families, bilingual schools can offer a “best of both worlds” model:

• Children gain access to the local culture and language.
• Parents feel more connected to the host country.
• Children develop linguistic confidence and cultural fluency that can last a lifetime.

Many bilingual schools can have lower tuition than elite international schools. This can make them more appealing to educators and expat families.

“I’ve chosen to teach at bilingual schools over international schools many times for the authentic language, work-life balance and culture immersion. Many international school teachers stay in expat bubbles, and their kids speak only English. The students at many international schools are also typically uber-rich kids. I put my own kids in local state schools as an expat. I want them to be part of a small town/village community, learn the language fluently, and have a place in their childhood memory as a “hometown”, which kids of international schools sometimes don’t have”.

Tina, an experienced international teacher and mum, has taught in Slovakia, Korea, Thailand, Portugal and Prague

Challenges to Be Aware Of At Bilingual Schools

Bilingual education isn’t without its challenges:

• Language transitions can be tricky for children at first, especially if your kids are older (e.g. 12+).
• If your kids are the only foreign children at the school and have a different ethnicity than many students, it can be a lot to navigate (e.g. people asking to touch their hair or skin).
• Parents may worry about gaps in one language or the other.
• Curricular demands vary widely between bilingual schools. Some are rigorously academic, others more experimental.

That said, with the right support and communication, these can be short-term hurdles. And at the end of the day, a lot of these challenges come down to your individual family and how adaptable your kids are likely to be.

Final Thoughts on Bilingual Schools

Bilingual schools can offer academic excellence, language acquisition, and cultural depth that you won’t get at an international school. 

If you’re looking for meaningful immersion and a fresh, collaborative professional experience, they’re definitely worth considering. Just be sure to check the package details and what’s included as part of your benefits so you know what you’re signing up for.