Poorgu Language Academy

**Poorgu Language Academy** (Eckish: *Poorgina Nameeakanakadeemia*, abbreviated **PNA**), abbreviated as **PLA** in English, is one of the four public academies in Poorgu. First established as an all-boys school in 1898, the school became coeducational in 1910. Its campus is located in the Sentraliin district of Poorgu.

PLA has long been considered the most prestigious educational institution in Eckland, and typically receives thousands of applications each year. It consists of a primary school, ages 6–14 (grades 1–8), and an upper secondary school, ages 14–18 (grades 9–12). Primary school education is entirely bilingual in both Eckish and English, while also learning Forsish in a specialized class. By grade 6, students begin learning a third foreign language, while a fourth foreign language is added in grade 9. Students must express proficiency in at least three foreign languages to graduate.

Despite being a school for ages 6 to 18, students do not need to begin at the school at age 6, and can apply for admission at any age. The majority of students enroll at the school beginning either in grades 1, 6, or 9.

## Status

PLA is one of the public academies of Eckland, meaning it is different from other institutions of education such as gymnasiums, vocational schools, or primary schools. Like the other academies, PLA is open for students between ages six and eighteen, although they must receive special admission to the school after an application process. Additionally, the school's education is slanted towards the study of foreign languages, globalization, and world affairs.

## Admissions

Admissions are conducted differently depending on what grade level the applicant is in. For children entering grades 1–3, admittance to the school is based on a children's aptitude test, an interview with the applicant, and an interview with the applicant's parents. For children entering grades 4–8, the aptitude test is no longer required, but the applicant must pass an English exam, while teacher recommendations from the student's former school and the student's full transcript are needed. For students entering grades 9–12, an interview with the student's parents is no longer required, but students must also submit their exiting grades from primary school and any upper secondary school grades they may have received.

Each grade typically has room for about 100 students, while as many as 2,000 applicants may apply each year per grade level; with an acceptance rate of anywhere between 5–10%, PLA is the most selective school in all of Eckland.

## Curriculum

PLA is different from other educational establishments in Eckland for its system of bilingual education. Its immersion programs seek to foster language in students, and assist them in the globalized world. Throughout all twelve years at PLA, students study anywhere between four and six foreign languages, and must express fluency in at least three in order to graduate.

Beginning in grade 1, students are taught a variety of subjects in both Eckish and English, while Forsish is also taught in a three-times-a-week foreign language class. In grade 6, students select a third foreign language, which is often either Fargonian, Helvarian, or Kashan, while a fourth is selected in grade 9. Students may study up to two more languages throughout upper secondary education. In addition to foreign language education, students are also educated in numerous other subjects, including mathematics, natural sciences, history, literature, writing and grammar, geography, social sciences, art, music, cooking and sewing, woodworking, health, and physical education. These subjects are not all taught during the same grade level, as some are designated for older students while others for younger.

### Electives

Like in other schools, students are able to enroll in a number of different elective courses. Electives are not available until lower secondary school (grades 6–8), but do not become widely available until upper secondary school (grades 9–12). Most students use this elective space to take an extra foreign language, art, music, or any other academic subjects they are interested in.