The European Baccalaureate is a qualification obtained by students who graduate from the European Schools. The word "Baccalaureate" is spelled as /bækəˈlɔːriət/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "bacc" in baccalaureate is pronounced as "back", and the "a" sound is similar to that in the word "cat". The last syllables "laur" and "ate" are pronounced as "lore" and "it", respectively. The spelling of baccalaureate is derived from the Latin word "baccalaureus", meaning "bachelor".
The European Baccalaureate refers to an academic qualification awarded to students upon completion of their secondary education at a European School. The European Baccalaureate is recognized as an official diploma by the European Union member states and enables graduates to pursue further studies or seek employment within Europe.
The curriculum of the European Baccalaureate encompasses a broad and balanced range of subjects, including sciences, humanities, languages, and mathematics. The program aims to foster linguistic competence and multicultural awareness, providing education in multiple languages, often including the student's mother tongue, as well as the language of the host country.
The European Baccalaureate is characterized by its rigorous assessment methods, which include both written and oral examinations. Additionally, the program places emphasis on critical thinking skills, independent research, and the ability to communicate effectively.
The diploma is divided into different sections based on subject areas and students are required to pass examinations in these sections to successfully obtain the European Baccalaureate. These sections may include mother tongue, foreign languages, mathematics, sciences, social sciences, and artistic or elective courses.
The European Baccalaureate aims to promote European values, cultural diversity, and international understanding among students, preparing them for higher education or professional careers in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world.
The word "European Baccalaureate" has a combination of Greek and Latin origins.
The term "Baccalaureate" is derived from the Latin word "baccalaureus", which originally referred to a person holding a bachelor's degree or the first degree obtained from a university. The Latin word can be broken down into "bacca", meaning "berry", and "laureus", meaning "crown" or "leaves of the laurel tree". These words were used to represent an honor or distinction awarded to scholars in ancient times, often in the form of a laurel wreath.
The adjective "European" simply pertains to anything relating to the continent of Europe. It originates from the Latin word "europa", which can be traced back to Greek mythology, referring to Europa, the Phoenician princess who was abducted by Zeus and taken to Crete.