French and German Bilingual program
Primary Languages Program
Years 1 – 6
At FSB, we understand the importance of language in shaping a child’s future. That’s why all children in Primary are expected to partake in our Global Languages Program, designed to help your child develop their language skills and foster a love for language and culture. All children also receive an additional 1 hour per week of Thai Language and Culture lessons.
Why do we have a Global Languages Program?
Multilingual skills: Our program focuses on teaching French, German, Japanese and Thai as native languages and Mandarin and Thai from beginner level. This gives your child a unique advantage by being able to speak multiple languages. This opens up a world of opportunities for them in their personal and professional life.
Cultural Awareness: Our programs emphasise the cultural aspect of language, giving your child an understanding and appreciation of different cultures. This helps to foster empathy, respect, and an open-minded attitude towards people from different backgrounds.
Improved Cognitive Development: Studies have shown that learning or retaining a second language can improve cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, and critical thinking. Our program is designed to enhance these skills and give your child an advantage in their studies.
Preparation for the Future: Our Global Languages Program prepares your child for a world that is increasingly interconnected. Being bilingual or multilingual is becoming a valuable asset in today’s globalised economy, and our program will help equip your child with the necessary skills.
Young children’s brains are built to learn language and absorb information making the sounds and rhythms of a new language easier to pick up. There is a theory that while adults learn a language, children acquire them.
In conclusion, FSB’s Primary Languages Program offers a unique opportunity for your child to develop valuable skills that will benefit them in their future. Whether they choose to pursue a career in international business or simply want to travel the world, our program will provide them with a strong foundation in language and culture.
Come and visit us to meet our team of language teachers and find out how we can help your child on their language journey.
Meet Our Teachers
Ms. Valeriya
Primary German
Ms. Mimi
Whole School Thai
EYFS – Nursery, FS2 & FS3. Ages 2 – 5
Bilingual Education refers to teaching academic instruction in two languages and has long been researched in the field of education. As with all research, pros and cons have been found, although it is now considered that children with more than one language have better outcomes over their monolingual peers. The main benefits of bilingual education are:
- Improved Cognitive Skills
- Improved Memory
- Higher Cultural Awareness
Children can choose to spend either 2 or 3 days per week in the French or German class and the remaining days in the English class. They will join their friends from the English class for specialist lessons such as swimming, PE and Music – all of which are taught in English.
In Nursery, FS2 and FS3 native French and German speaking children have the option of enrolling in the bilingual program. Parents / guardians must be able to support their child at home to benefit fully from this opportunity.
Families can choose to enrol their children in the bilingual program that best suits their needs. For some this might be 2 days in their native French / German and 3 days in English. Others may prefer 3 days in French / German and 2 days in English. It is also possible to enrol in both the French and German program with no days spent in the English classroom. This should be discussed during the Admissions process as it may have an impact upon any future schooling.
For the youngest children in FS1 and FS2 (2.5 – 4 yrs) the French and German class will be vertically streamed, meaning they will be taught together. FS3 children (4-5yrs) will be taught separately.
By enrolling in the bilingual program your child will have the opportunity to maintain, learn and flourish in two languages. They will benefit from being part of a small class where they are well known by the teacher and where their culture and background is valued and celebrated.
