Exercise 1: Match a word
Instruction: Match each word with its definition.
Exercise 2: Exam preparation
Instruction: Read the text, fill in the gaps with the missing words, and answer the questions below
Guía rápida para elegir centro escolar y hacer la admisión
Fill in the gaps: renunciar a la plaza, el colegio público, solicitar plaza, la guardería, lista de espera, el jardín de infancia, la matrícula, beca, la secretaría
(Quick guide to choosing a school and completing admission)
Muchas familias se mudan por trabajo y deben elegir colegio con poco margen. En España, la educación infantilincluye y ; después están la educación primaria y la secundaria. En la mayoría de los barrios hay , y también colegios concertados y privados. Antes de decidir, conviene revisar el proyecto educativo, el servicio de comedor, las actividades extraescolares y el idioma de enseñanza, y preguntar en por las plazas disponibles y si existe .
En el proceso de admisión, lo habitual es durante el periodo oficial del ayuntamiento o la comunidad autónoma. Si te asignan centro, te pedirán documentación y deberás formalizar dentro del plazo; si no lo haces, puedes perder la plaza. Algunas familias solicitan para comedor o materiales si reúnen los requisitos. Si finalmente cambias de idea por mudanza o traslado, puedes y, según el caso, pedir la devolución de la matrícula. Para dudas, la secretaría atiende normalmente por cita o por correo electrónico.Many families move for work and must choose a school with little time. In Spain, early childhood education (0–6 years) includes nursery and preschool; after that come primary and secondary education. In most neighborhoods there is a public school, and there are also concertado (state-subsidized) and private schools. Before deciding, it is advisable to check the school's educational plan, the lunch service, extracurricular activities and the language of instruction, and to ask the school office about available places and whether there is a waiting list.
In the admission process, it is common to apply for a place during the official period set by the city council or the autonomous community. If you are assigned a school, they will request documentation and you must complete the enrollment within the deadline; if you do not, you may lose the place. Some families apply for a grant to cover lunch or materials if they meet the requirements. If you later change your mind because of a move or transfer, you can give up the place and, depending on the case, request a refund of the enrollment fee. For questions, the school office usually responds by appointment or by email.
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¿Qué aspectos recomienda comprobar el texto antes de elegir un centro escolar y por qué son importantes?
(What aspects does the text recommend checking before choosing a school and why are they important?)
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Describe los pasos administrativos que menciona el texto desde solicitar plaza hasta la posible renuncia, e indica qué riesgo existe si no se cumple el plazo.
(Describe the administrative steps mentioned in the text from applying for a place to possibly giving it up, and explain what risk exists if the deadline is not met.)
Exercise 3: Listening
Instruction: Listen to the audio fragment and indicate whether the following statements are true or false.
| True | False | |
|---|---|---|
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(The mother went to inquire at the public school and they told her she had to apply soon because of the waiting list.) |
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(At the government-assisted school the tuition is cheaper than at the public school.) |
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(If the family moves, they can give up the place before September starts.) |
Exercise 4: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 5: Writing correspondence
Instruction: Write a reply to the following message appropriate to the situation
Asunto: Información sobre lista de espera y matrícula (Curso 2026-2027)
Estimada Sra. Martín:
Le escribimos desde la secretaría del CEIP Los Olivos (colegio público). Su hijo está actualmente en lista de espera para 1.º de educación primaria. Si finalmente obtiene plaza, tendrá 5 días para confirmar y realizar la matrícula.
Si lo desea, podemos enviarle información comparativa sobre centros públicos, concertados y privados de la zona y los documentos necesarios para solicitar plaza.
Un saludo,
Laura Gómez
Secretaría CEIP Los Olivos
Subject: Information about the waiting list and enrollment (School year 2026–2027)
Dear Mrs. Martín:
We are writing from the school office of CEIP Los Olivos (a public school). Your child is currently on the waiting list for 1st grade of primary education. If they are eventually offered a place, you will have five days to confirm and complete the enrollment.
If you wish, we can send you comparative information about public, state-assisted (concertado) and private schools in the area, as well as the documents required to apply for a place.
Kind regards,
Laura Gómez
School Office CEIP Los Olivos
Useful phrases:
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Querría información sobre… (la matrícula / los documentos / los plazos).
(I would like information about… (the enrollment / the documents / the deadlines).)
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¿Podría confirmarme si… (hay alguna prueba / qué horario tiene / cuándo se publican las listas)?
(Could you confirm for me if… (there is any test / what the schedule is / when the lists are published)?)
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Cuando vivíamos en…, mi hijo iba a…, por eso estamos comparando opciones.
(When we lived in… my child attended…, so we are comparing options.)
Gracias por su mensaje. Querría información sobre los documentos necesarios para solicitar plaza y sobre el proceso de matrícula si finalmente nos ofrecen una plaza. ¿Podría confirmarme también cómo se avisa a las familias (correo, teléfono) y si hay alguna reunión informativa?
Además, nos interesa recibir la información comparativa de colegios públicos, concertados y privados de la zona, porque cuando vivíamos en Valencia mi hijo iba a un colegio público y queremos ver qué opción encaja mejor aquí.
Muchas gracias y un saludo,
Clara Martín
Good morning, Laura:
Thank you for your message. I would like information about the documents required to apply for a place and about the enrollment process if we are ultimately offered a place. Could you also confirm how families are notified (email, phone) and whether there will be any informational meeting?
We are also interested in receiving the comparative information about public, state-assisted (concertado) and private schools in the area, because when we lived in Valencia my child attended a public school and we want to see which option suits us best here.
Thank you very much and best regards,
Clara Martín