Junior University: A rite of passage

Abstract

The transition between secondary and tertiary education has often been described as a “gap” implying that it is lacking in some way and that secondary students need better preparation for further education (Jansen & van der Meer, 2012; Juarez-Dappe, 2011; Triado, 2012). Programmes, such as the Junior University, a pre-university summer school for 16-18 year olds, integrate learning of specific subject matter and English and make an important step towards preparing students. This article describes the Junior University, a two-week international experience at a local university setting, which gives students a taste of academic subject matter and does so through the medium of English. Another characteristic of the Junior University is the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) model underlying its classroom practice. Results from students’ satisfaction questionnaires from the pilot Junior University programme are presented, which were generally positive. The article concludes with some improvements made based on the initial pilot experience and also the benefits in setting up such programmes at Spanish universities.