A change to university degree rules in the the Spanish region of Andalusia means that English and other language teachers can expect a lot more demand in the coming years.
A rule change in the Andalusian education system means that languages teachers in the southern region could soon have much more work.
On Wednesday, the regional parliament approved the new University Law for Andalusia (LUPA), replacing the current legal framework from 2013, and, among other measures, recognising for the first time by law the right of students to access a system of tuition fee discounts.
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The regional government wants to “modernise” and “make Andalusian universities more competitive” with the reforms.
Crucially for students and languages teachers, it includes a new requirement of B2 level in a foreign language for the award of an official university degree and for career access by teaching staff to the categories of assistant professor and contracted professor.
Until now, in order to obtain a university degree in Andalusia it was mandatory to have a B1 level in a foreign language.
However, according to local media outlet El Correo de Andalusia, at institutions such as the University of Seville there still hundreds of students who are unable to graduate because they don’t have the B1 qualification in any foreign language.
The new B2 measure will enter into force on October 1st, 2029, so the first cohort of students affected will be those born in 2011 now in their third year of secondary school.
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Reports suggest that more foreign languages could be incorporated into degree courses moving forward, though many students will likely seek out private lessons to bolster their level.
People’s Party representative José Carlos García explained that this is a law made for students and defended it because “it further advances support programs to achieve a B2 level.”
The B1 requirement was gradually introduced in Andalusia from 2010.
A similar scheme was introduced in Catalonia in 2013, but then backtracked on by the regional government who delegated the language requirements to universities.
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