Language Immersion
Language Immersion
Our unique curriculum offers a full language immersion in Spanish, Chinese, French and German in the Preschool and a dual immersion in Spanish, Chinese, French and German in the Junior School. We test language against the European Framework of Language aiming at levels B1 and B2 as early as eighth grade.
Preschool spanish
Through play and targeted materials, children can develop their full creativity and enhance their academic and oral skills, particularly in their second language, which they are immersed in throughout the school day. Classrooms are divided into various learning centers, where preschoolers engage in active, hands-on play, the most effective method for their learning. Each center is thoughtfully equipped with materials tailored to foster skill development and address the unique needs of every child in the class.
Preschool Chinese
In the Preschool Chinese class, the main emphasis lies in building a solid foundation in spoken language and introductory mathematics. Children enjoy learning Chinese through engaging methods such as short cartoons, songs, storytelling, and interactive group activities. For 3-4-year-olds, our focus is on simple dialogues and basic Chinese character strokes. As they progress to 4-5 years old, they begin to learn reading and writing common Chinese characters.
Preschool German
Through play and targeted materials, children can develop their full creativity and enhance their academic and oral skills, particularly in their second language, which they are immersed in throughout the school day. Classrooms are divided into various learning centers, where preschoolers engage in active, hands-on play, the most effective method for their learning. Each center is thoughtfully equipped with materials tailored to foster skill development and address the unique needs of every child in the class.
Preschool French
In our French preschool class, students engage in various learning areas. During Block time, students enhance their vocabulary by discussing art to cultivate their creativity. In Science, students sharpen their critical thinking skills through exploration and research. In Math, students delve into number concepts, measurement, and pattern-making.
Junior/Middle School Spanish
At the beginning of the school year students are evaluated in order for the teachers to differentiate instruction and apply the methods that best fit the student’s needs. The grammar, direct and audio-lingual methods are the ones most used in the classroom. The purpose of teaching the Spanish language in the Junior school is to develop students’ communication skills in the speaking and written language in the most natural way and through fun activities, including acting, storytelling, singing and playing.
Junior / Middle School Chinese
We employ differentiated instruction to cater to the unique levels and needs of each student. Additionally, we utilize diverse teaching methods and learning resources to ensure an engaging and enjoyable experience for all our students.
Junior/Middle School German
Every day, as soon as the students enter the German class, their English disappears and they speak only German to the teacher and to each other. Suddenly they are in Little Germany, Little Austria or Little Switzerland. What happened here? Does IST have magical school doors? Maybe. But just in case magic is not enough, everybody in this class is eager to learn, explore and communicate. We have many wonderful German picture books to read aloud.
Junior / Middle School French
In our Junior School French program, we focus on cultivating proficiency in the French language through a combination of national textbooks, hands-on classroom activities, interactive Q&A sessions, and multimedia tools including videos and audio resources.
We foster a desire for self-expression in a foreign language among our students, encouraging interactions with native speakers. Our approach is rooted in proven methods that are both enjoyable and confidence-building.
Nursery School
Our Infant and toddler nursery program promotes learning through language development, personal skills training, social interaction, creative thinking opportunities, and center-based cooperative activities. A study in the Journal of Phonetics by University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences suggests that, by around 10 months, babies are already losing their ability to learn new sounds, and therefore new languages; but a baby raised in a bilingual environment, maintains the ability to distinguish different sounds for longer – until 12 months.
English is the main language spoken by each teacher. However there may be opportunities for the children to be exposed to Mandarin, German, Spanish, and French.