Challenges in education – A Study Based in Poland

Abstract

Bilingual education and teachers’ experiences in Poland have, thus far, received little attention from researchers. This paper describes the challenges in bilingual education (CLIL - Content and Language Integrated Learning) in the International Baccalaureate in the Primary Years Programme. The study comprised an online survey with thirty-six teachers working with the youngest pupils in five IB PYP schools in Poland. The primary aim of the study was to find the answers to two research questions: What are the main challenges in bilingual education according to Polish teachers? What can facilitate bilingual education at the level of elementary school? The results showed the variety of challenges in bilingual education among teachers, students and parents, such as: lack of training, limited resources, communication barriers. Additionally, content and language teachers described their best practices and methods in teaching primary students. These results may contribute to the changes in the way of teaching non-native languages to young learners.