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Bilingual teaching

Subject teaching in English

Bilingual teaching at Georgianum Grammar School opens doors to the world: subject content is taught in English, confidence in speaking grows and students receive solid preparation for university and their careers. We begin bilingual teaching in geography in Year 7. It is possible to start later in biology, history and finally politics in the A-levels, with the chance to obtain the CertiLingua certificate.

Bilingual education at a glance

Lower secondary education

(Years 7–10)

Optional choice for one school year
from Year 7 onwards (choice is compulsory)

Requirements: good English skills and approval of the English teacher

  • Year 7: Geography (2 hours/week)
  • Year 8 and 9: Biology (2 hours/week)
  • Year 10: History (2 hours/week)

Contents

Bilingual teaching is based on the content of the subject areas.

Upper secondary education

(Years 11–13)

Elective compulsory subject
in the introductory phase (Year 11)

  • History (2 hours/week)

Compulsory elective subject
in the qualification phase (years 12 and 13)

  • Politics (3 hours per week)

Can be chosen as a basic level course

A-level examination

Possible as an oral examination subject at basic level.

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CertiLingua

Those who take advantage of the bilingual programme until their school-leaving exams, study two foreign languages and can demonstrate that they have spent time abroad can obtain the European CertiLingua label of excellence – a bonus for studying and working in Europe. (Aimed at good to very good pupils who wish to gain additional qualifications.)

What is bilingual education?

Bilingual teaching involves teaching subject-specific content in English (e.g. geography, biology, history, politics and economics). Subject-specific and language learning are specifically linked – from learning the foreign language to learning in the foreign language.

Teaching methods and assessment

Lessons are generally conducted in English; the language level is carefully increased (scaffolding). Academic performance in the subject is assessed; linguistic formulations are identified during the process but are not included in the grade. Participation is noted in the report card and later in the school leaving certificate.

Modules in Year 5/6

In Years 5/6, there are short bilingual modules in several subjects (e.g. sports, music, biology; in Year 6, chemistry is also included). This allows pupils to try out content in English in a playful way and lowers their inhibitions about starting later on.

Ausstieg – fair geregelt

It is possible to leave at the end of the school year; pupils then attend German-language subject lessons in their class group.

Your contact person

Judith Reinefeld

Bilingualer Unterricht, CertiLingua, Schule ohne Rassismus