Bilingual track

As both a local and an international school, Institut Florimont has seen the linguistic profile of its students evolve since the creation of a bilingual pathway about ten years ago. While French and English are the main languages of instruction, the languages spoken at home by our students are now far more diverse. This linguistic reality continually pushes us to adjust our approaches and educational offerings in order to best respond to each student’s needs.

At Institut Florimont, bilingual education prepares students to succeed in their studies and future careers in both languages, through an approach tailored to each learner and enabling them to achieve the highest level possible.

Our vision is built on three key principles:

– the mutual enrichment of languages,
– academic excellence,
– flexibility to meet the individual needs of our students

Mindful of the growing linguistic and cultural diversity of our community — now coming from all over the world — our teaching staff receives ongoing training and guidance to adapt classroom practices to the multilingual profiles of our students and their families. This support helps implement inclusive, differentiated strategies that foster well-being and academic success in a multilingual environment.

Collaboration with families lies at the heart of our approach. In maternelle, the “Family Language Planning” programme supports families as they make linguistic choices that reflect their daily reality and educational goals. Parent conferences — notably on bilingual development and the role of home languages in school learning — further strengthen the school–family partnership. At key transition points (entry into maternelle, move to 11e, transition to Primary), information meetings are held to clarify the goals, structure and implications of the linguistic pathways at Florimont.

In maternelle, pupils benefit from bilingual teaching with equal time in each language: two days per week in French and two days in English, in dedicated classrooms with specialist teachers. Wednesdays are co-taught in both languages, ensuring continuity of learning. The programme follows the French National Curriculum and is delivered in both French and English, with a strong focus on oral language, vocabulary and linguistic structures. Projects (storybooks, science discovery, Flo Nature School) are also carried out in both languages, promoting a natural and progressive acquisition of English and French.

IN 11^e AND 10^e : BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS OF READING AND WRITING

In 11e and 10e, all pupils follow a French–bilingual pathway. The emphasis is placed on mastering foundational skills — reading and writing — in French, in order to establish solid literacy foundations in the school’s main language of instruction.

English is taught in four differentiated groups (Beginner, Intermediate, Upper Intermediate and Proficient). At the start of the year, the focus is on developing oral skills before progressively transferring competencies acquired in French to English. Sport, Arts and Music are taught in English for all pupils, supporting natural language immersion.

9^e : THE BEGINNING OF THE BILINGUAL PATHWAY

From 9e onward, students can strengthen either their French skills (Francophone Pathway) or their English skills (Bilingual Pathway), depending on their needs. In the Bilingual Pathway, History-Geography, Science and Digital Studies are taught in English. Students in both pathways learn together in the same classes.

Our priority is that each student reach, by the end of 7e, a balanced level of proficiency in French and English, beginning with strong foundations in French and then in English. Pathway adjustments may therefore be proposed each semester — switching to the Francophone or Bilingual Pathway — depending on which language needs reinforcement. Students work with different teachers for these specific subjects while following the same curriculum at the same pace.

Teachers develop pedagogical bridges, such as co-created bilingual tools (writing booklets) from 9e to 7e.

OPENING UP TO LANGUAGES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Exposure to both languages extends beyond academic lessons: school trips, learning projects, clubs (e.g. theatre) and extracurricular activities are offered in both languages. Bilingual projects are encouraged and shared with families: Book Fair in 9e, Renaissance Museum in 8e, Science Congress in 7e, etc., promoting cross-disciplinary and cross-linguistic learning.

Two pathways are offered to address diverse profiles and needs: the Bilingual Pathway and the Francophone Pathway. These pathways enable each student to progress at their own pace while developing strong skills in both languages.

In the Francophone Pathway, History, Geography, Science and Music are taught in French. In the Bilingual Pathway, these subjects are taught in English, offering genuine linguistic and cultural immersion. The Lower Secondary years prepare students for their future choices in Upper Secondary, whether the Swiss Maturité, the French Baccalauréat or the International Baccalaureate (IB), diplomas taken around age 18.

ENGLISH LEVELS AND PLACEMENT TESTS

From 9e to 7e, the Francophone Pathway offers two English levels — Beginner and Intermediate — while the Bilingual Pathway offers two more advanced levels — Upper Intermediate and Proficient. Beginning- and mid-year placement tests ensure that each student is allocated to the most suitable level for their linguistic development.

LANGUAGE. SUPPORT PROGRAMMES

Students in the Francophone Pathway may receive additional intensive English instruction, depending on their level and upon family request. This differentiation ensures a gradual, balanced and coherent learning path while preparing students for future linguistic and academic orientations.

Students in the Bilingual Pathway who need to strengthen their French foundations benefit from FLSco (French as a Language of Schooling) support, designed to reinforce academic French and facilitate success across subjects. In Secondary, these courses are offered at two levels: Standard and Advanced. This targeted approach supports linguistic and academic success in a caring yet demanding environment.

RECOGNISED LANGUAGE CERTIFICATIONS RECONNUES

To validate their progress, students are encouraged to sit internationally recognised examinations such as DELF Prim, Cambridge Exams, and later in Secondary, the Cambridge Preliminary English Test (PET) and Trinity College exams.

DEDICATED PEDAGOGICAL SUPPORT

Special attention is given to the continuous training of teachers in language education, supported daily by a multilingualism coordinator from Early Years to 6e. Additional support is provided by the Resource Centre, with French- and English-speaking specialists accompanying students with specific learning needs.