Languages
Languages
Foreign languages
Our students learn English and French at different levels of proficiency starting in grade 5. In grade 8, Spanish can be chosen as a third foreign language and in grade 10 Dutch as a fourth foreign language. Students who have knowledge of Latin can take the Latinum, and those who wish can also learn it without the pressure of grades during a study group in our all-day program.
Bilingual subject instruction (optional) also begins in grade 6: In the subject of geography, students can develop their language skills. From grade 8, the subjects History and Biology are then taught epochally, and from grade 10 the elective Economics is taught entirely in English or French. Language learning is facilitated by exchanges with partner schools, encounter programs and a language trip in the 9th grade.
Spanish classes are a great strength of our school. In a small group you have the great opportunity to learn Spanish at a high level and you learn a lot about the history, politics and culture of Latin American or Spanish speaking countries.
Bastian, Student at the iDSB
To strengthen foreign language interests, we encourage our students to take part in the national foreign language competition or in student exchanges. For example, “Wij praten Nederlands” with the students of Heilig Hart College in Tervuren or “Nous parlons français” with young Walloons from our partner school in Arlon. Other partner school programs exist with the Lycée Français Jean Monnet de Bruxelles or the DY Patil School in Antwerp, which gives us access to a worldwide school network, the “Bridges-to-Asia” program.
By participating in Model United Nations, particularly talented students are challenged to test their foreign language skills. In the process, students are invited to simulated United Nations Conferences and act as representatives of the member countries. Some particularly eloquent speakers from our school have also already been rewarded with one of the coveted awards!
Language support for newcomers
For students who come to us from other educational systems or countries, we offer targeted adjustment instruction both inside and outside the classroom. We offer remedial courses in French and English, both in-house and in cooperation with external language institutes. Children who do not yet speak, read and write German well enough receive intensive support in our German as a Foreign Language courses.
For questions concerning admission to the iDSB, please contact
