The Dual Diploma programme: experience at IPSI ESO-BTX

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Inscriptions

https://www.ipsi.cat/cat/oferta-educativa/eso-btx-dual

In 2023 IPSI signed up to the Dual Diploma programme with ACADEMICA International Studies (academica.school). The Dual Diploma is a programme that allows students to obtain a double Batxillerat, the one from here at IPSI and also the equivalent from the United States (USA): the American High School Certificate.  This is an opportunity for students who are doing well in the school system here to do more, with the emphasis on language immersion, personal immersion and technology immersion. We will be holding a meeting for students who are interested and their families on Wednesday 28 February, 2024 at 18.30 in the sala d’actes, Borrell 2 (ESO building).

Students´ academic results from here are recognised and six additional subjects must be successfully studied online with a tutor in the USA. Subjects include English (x2), Life Management Skills, US History, US Government & Economics,  plus one from Criminology, College Preparation, Concepts of Engineering & Technology, Digital Photography, Psychology (or a third English course can be taken). Students can start the programme in 2n, 3r or 4t of ESO or even 1r of Batxillerat. 

Are you interested in joining the programme? Check out the academica.school/ website where you can find videos of students, teachers and families talking about the experience and more details about it all. Don’t forget, we will be having a meeting about the programme too.

It must be said that it is not a programme for everyone. To begin with, it is imperative that the student is passing all subjects and the motivation to start the Dual Diploma comes from them. After the access test in September 2023, 57 IPSI students started their Dual Diploma journey. By the end of the first semester, 10% have left the programme due to various reasons, from finding it too difficult… to not being able to balance or maintain their academic performance here… to not finding it challenging enough. 50 students remain though and below we can hear some of their experiences and feelings about the programme. 

Student testimonials

Cristina Cabanillas ESO-2A
At first I was quite nervous about starting the Dual Diploma program, especially about the online meetings because I wouldn’t know anyone but it is actually going great. Autumn, my teacher has made this experience very good, she is very nice and is interested in my work. Right now we are studying poetry from the Renaissance to now. In conclusion, it is very interesting and demanding because it is a lot of work but I know that at some point I will be happy I did it.

Example of material studied in English III:

He may use sarcasm, or a mocking tone through the metaphors, similes, personification, and other figurative (non-literal) language for comparison in order to refute or prove just how wrong these ideas of romantic love really can be.

Estela Martí ESO-2A
Before starting the DUAL I felt a bit nervous but not afraid to fail. It was confusing, nobody understood the concept and it was strange to do it all online. Right now it’s all very simple and easy to do, with the different assignments you can improve your level easily. At the same time it gives you the flexibility to choose and move all the meetings, so you can organize yourself and combine your different hobbies after school. 

Example of tutor feedback:
12/30/23 21:08:12 Analysis CompleteEstela, your narrative story depicting the snake and the bear was so well done, what a good lesson that everyone can learn from!

Alejandro Delgado ESO-2B
Before starting the Dual Diploma program I felt very nervous and anxious. I didn’t know how it would go and that scared me at the beginning. Also the web Colegia at first a bit confusing but, once you understand that you aren’t alone and there are many people you can ask for help or guidance, it goes very well and I’m enjoying it. My teacher Autumn Cosgrove has been really helpful and patient with me and I really appreciate it. 

Eva Haro ESO-4B
I see Dual Diploma as a different way of learning English, as what you learn is completely different to what you learn at school or in an English academy, since it’s not directly focused on the learning of new grammar structures or vocabulary. 

With dual diploma you learn how to form your own opinion about different aspects, history from the U.S.A. and from around the world, rhetorical appeals and figures of speech, how to set S.M.A.R.T goals and plenty of other aspects which appear to be really useful. 

It only takes two hours a week, one for each subject, and you can choose when to do it according to your schedule. And from time to time there are mandatory content live sessions given by Autumn, who’s always there to help.

At first, I thought it would be harder, but it actually is really intuitive if you follow the guidelines and read the theory given before each assignment. In conclusion, I believe that it can be really helpful in the future and I really recommend it.