How does educational curriculum in Mallorca support the use and appreciation of Catalan among different age groups?

The educational curriculum in Mallorca is designed to promote both the use and appreciation of Catalan, the island’s co-official language alongside Spanish. From early childhood education through to secondary school, Catalan is firmly integrated as a core subject, ensuring that students develop not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep cultural connection to the language. In primary schools, Catalan is typically the medium of instruction, with significant emphasis placed on reading, writing, and oral skills. This early immersion helps children build a natural familiarity with the language, reinforcing its importance in everyday communication.

As students progress to secondary education, Catalan remains central within the curriculum, often being used as the language of instruction for a range of subjects. This bilingual or even trilingual approach, with Spanish and sometimes English also part of the learning environment, supports fluency while nurturing respect for linguistic diversity. Beyond language classes themselves, the curriculum often includes regional literature, history, and cultural studies, which collectively foster an appreciation of Mallorcan identity anchored in the Catalan language. Educational policies encourage the preservation of Catalan heritage, ensuring that students from different backgrounds can engage with and value the island’s unique linguistic landscape.

At higher education levels and in adult learning programs, Catalan continues to be actively promoted, with courses available for non-native speakers and opportunities for cultural immersion. These initiatives recognize the role of Catalan not only as a language of daily life but also as an essential part of Mallorca’s social fabric and tourism appeal. Through this comprehensive educational approach across all ages, Mallorca sustains the vitality of Catalan, supporting both its practical use and its symbolic significance in shaping the island’s identity.