Learning languages at Florimont: a multicultural school

Learning a foreign language from a very young age allows our students not only to broaden their communication skills but become adaptable. This is why we pay special attention to language learning from day one. We offer a bilingual pathway, the current choice of over 65% of our students from Kindergarten to Diplomas level.

Our educational approach

Our language curriculum gives students a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary, and develops practical skills so they can communicate easily and effectively. Our aim is to inspire a love of languages in our students; with over 70 different nationalities, the Institut benefits from the huge variety of student backgrounds. What better “playground” for someone wanting to learn and practice a new language with classmates and discover new cultures?

Cognitive and social benefits

Learning a language is an excellent way to enhance cognitive faculties and develop social skills. As well as improving memory, concentration and mental agility, it helps create strong bonds with others, broadens cultural horizons and encourages understanding of the world. There are numerous benefits at an individual as well as a social level which endure throughout adult life.

Early childhood: a period conducive to learning languages

How do children learn other languages? Their mother tongue serves as a base for learning another minority language, and both can be learned at the same time by stimulating their curiosity. Recreational methods such as games, nursery rhymes and immersion all encourage learning, and we make good use of these in Kindergarten.

Bilingual pathway: the majority’s choice

Florimont offers the possibility to study in French and English from Kindergarten on our bilingual pathway. Kindergarten pupils receive four periods a week, rising to six in the first two years of primary.
At secondary level, lessons are split equally between French and English.

Maternelle and Primaire (Kindergarten and Primary)

From the age of 3, children are particularly receptive to regular, varied exposure to multiple languages, developing their general communication ability. The earlier a child is exposed to other languages, the quicker they develop language skills that will serve them throughout their life.
German is taught from 9ème in mixed groups. The aim for primary students is to achieve an elementary standard of German (A1 on CEFR scale) by the end of 7ème. Within the same group, students with mother tongue German learn alongside beginners, creating a positive and stimulating learning environment for all.

Cycle (Middle School)

In Cycle, our students can learn English, German, Spanish and Chinese. In 6ème, students learn English over five periods per week, and German or Chinese as a second language (4 periods). In 4ème, students can take up Spanish as a second language instead of their first choice.
From this stage, we pay particular attention to the needs of both beginners and advanced students, separating them into level groups.

Secondaire 2 (Diplomas)

Maturité students can study English, German, Italian and Spanish. In the Baccalauréat section, they study English and can choose a second modern language from German, Spanish or Chinese, with an optional third language from Chinese, Spanish or Italian. Students in the International section can take English or Spanish.

Language qualifications: validating knowledge

External qualifications (Cambridge: PET, KET and FCE) are an integral part of our languages policy. They motivate students to challenge themselves and guarantee a certified linguistic level.
We review the certificates we offer every year, taking into account any changes and the requirements of universities and Grandes Ecoles.
Our languages curriculum comes under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, a scale established by the Council of Europe to set targets and assess levels. At Florimont, the English level of students is higher than that attained in Swiss Maturité and Baccalauréat exams.

Foreign trips, opening a door on the world

Learning a language obviously means understanding and using the grammar correctly, but also practicing it regularly. Our students get the opportunity to practice and perfect their languages on foreign trips organised every year to the UK, Spain, Germany, Canada or China.