Bilingual Education at the Zeldenrust-Steelantcollege (TTO)
Bilingual Education (TTO) in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands TTO (Tweetalig Onderwijs or bilingual education) came into existence in 1989. In most cases TTO refers to bilingual (mostly English-Dutch) Voortgezet Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO). VWO is the pre-university stream in Dutch secondary education. At the request of the Dutch Ministry of Education, the European Platform provides support for all TTO-schools and safeguards the quality of bilingual education.
Why TTO?
TTO allows students to develop more broadly intellectually, culturally and socially. For students with higher abilities it is proving to be a very attractive type of education. With the current trend towards higher mobility within the European Union, international studies and work experience abroad in higher education have become customary. The student who has a good command of the English language, increases his chances academically as well as his future opportunities on the job market.
TTO and VWO (Atheneum or Gymnasium)
In the first three years of bilingual education the majority of subjects are taught in English. In the second year students with an average mark of 7/10 across all subjects can choose to study Greek and Latin. This stream is called Gymnasium. Students without Greek and Latin continue with Atheneum. In their third year all ZSC bilingual students are expected to sit the Cambridge First Certificate exams. In the upper forms TTO students prepare for the regular Dutch final exams. TTO schools are legally obliged to teach these exam subjects in Dutch, which leads to a reduction in the amount of English the upper form students have. In the sixth grade TTO students also sit the International Baccalaureate English Language A2 exam. This internationally recognized diploma provides access to colleges and universities worldwide, where English is used as a first language. From 2009/10 onwards the Zeldenrust-Steelantcollege will offer this 2-year course to its TTO students.
TTO: Lower forms
During the first three years more than 50% of all the subjects offered will be taught in English, using English teaching materials. At this point in time the following subjects are taught in English:
English
History
Geography
Mathematics
Biology
Science
Art
Physical education
Physics
Economics
Religious Instruction
The aim of the CLIL (content and language integrated learning) lessons is to ensure that English becomes a second language which the students can understand and use fluently. Additional support is offered by a native speaker, with whom first-year students weekly have 20-minute sessions to practise their English language skills.
TTO: Upper forms
In the upper forms all subjects for which the students have to sit the Dutch examinations, are taught in Dutch. Students are legally obliged to take part in the regular Dutch final examinations. Hence the amount of classes taught in English automatically decreases. Besides the standard Dutch VWO examination, students are also expected to sit the International Baccalaureate English Language A2 exam. To guarantee the quality of their bilingual course, TTO schools are obliged to offer a minimum of 1150 study-hours in English. Subjects such as Physical education, Science for public understanding, Culture and art (subjects which are assessed through school exams, not national exams) are therefore offered in English. Besides that TTO students get extra hours for IB English, are expected to do some international community service, take part in a number of international activities and are expected to write their dissertation in English.
TTO and internationalisation
Bilingual education has two aims: the first aim is to give students increased language skills, the second aim is to provide a platform for European and International Orientation. Internationalisation offers a valuable contribution to both. Through contacts with foreign students, bilingual students will not only practise their language skills, but also increase their awareness of other cultures as well as their own culture.
European and International Orientation forms an integral part of the bilingual curriculum.
Both in the lower and upper forms bilingual students will take part in student exchanges both inside and outside the EU. Students are also expected to take part in e-mail projects with foreign schools, work on a Think Quest project and take part in the United Netherlands High School Programme.
TTO, is it your cup of tea?
TTO offers a challenging and exciting programme for those students who can and are willing to do just a little bit more than the average student.
For Dutch elementary school students wishing to enter TTO, the Zeldenrust-Steelantcollege applies the following criteria:
- Minimum cito-score 545.
- Positive VWO recommendation from the student’s elementary school
- Positive and well motivated student (assessment possibly through interview)
- Excellent general language skills
Students wishing to enter TTO from abroad are kindly requested to contact the TTO-coordinator: Mrs. Pendery.
Further information
For further information regarding bilingual education at the Zeldenrust-Steelantcollege, please contact Mrs. Rose-Marie Pendery (MA), TTO-coordinator.
Mrs. Pendery can be reached by phone on (00.31) (0)115-694029 ext. 267 or by mail at r.pendery@zsc.nl.
We look forward to seeing you in TTO!
