Languages in Middle School

Our redesigned language programme for secondary school gives our students more options, including the possibility to study their mother tongue and a foreign language like French, Spanish, Mandarin or German. This is part of our approach to offer a personalised education for our students. All students will study English and one other language.

As an international school in Singapore, we ensure that our students have a strong fluency in English as well as connections to their mother tongue and culture.

English
Foreign Languages
Mother Tongue Programme

English

The key to our students' academic success is developing strong academic fluency in English. At GESS International School, our Middle School English Programme is designed to support the needs of our diverse student population as well as ensure that our students have the fluency, competency and English language skills to be able to confidently access the curriculum in all subjects.

Our expertly designed English programme has two streams to ensure our students are challenged and supported.

  • Language and Literature
    An English programme for our students whose English level is at a native or near-native level of English.
  • Language acquisition
    A specially designed programme to support and develop our students with an intermediate plus level of English.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)

A specialised English programme for students in grades 6-8, with intensive English support and teaching. A foundation programme is offered in grades 6-7 for students with an A2 Elementary level of English.

Foreign Languages

All middle school students at our international school study either a foreign language, a mother tongue language or both. Languages are a huge part of our international school's culture. We strongly value multilingualism and supporting our students' language learning.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE Acquisition programme

The GESS Language Acquisition Programme starts in grade 6. Our students are given the choice of studying Mandarin, French, Spanish or German as a foreign language. Through expert tuition and a student-centred approach, our students can progress to studying the foreign language in the IB Diploma Programme.

Entry Requirements for Language Acquisition Programme

The Language Acquisition Programme (Mandarin, Spanish or French) starts in grade 6 at beginner level. Students joining grade 7 need at least 1 year of previous study and for grade 8, at least 2 years of previous study. Students that do not meet the language proficiency requirements for Mandarin, Spanish or French and do not study a mother tongue language will take beginner German.

There is a beginner German class in each grade and our students can progress to studying German in the IB Diploma programme as well as the prestigious DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe) German proficiency exam. Studying German as a foreign language opens your child’s future to some of the world’s most successful companies as well as leading global universities. Over 15 million students study German as a foreign language worldwide.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO SPEAK GERMAN TO JOIN GESS?

No, our German programme is designed for students who do not speak any German. There is a beginner German class in every grade. Most new students joining our international section do not speak German. There is no requirement for parents to speak German either.

Mother Tongue Programme

GESS International School is immensely proud of its Mother Tongue Programme and supports our students' connection to their cultural roots. With the newly redesigned language programme, students can choose to study their mother tongue language and a foreign language (Mandarin, Spanish, French, or German).

We currently offer the following mother tongue languages:

*Additional tutor fees apply. Other mother tongue languages may be possible. Please check with the Admissions Team.

English
Foreign Languages
Mother Tongue Programme

English

The key to our students' academic success is developing strong academic fluency in English. At GESS International School, our Middle School English Programme is designed to support the needs of our diverse student population as well as ensure that our students have the fluency, competency and English language skills to be able to confidently access the curriculum in all subjects.

Our expertly designed English programme has two streams to ensure our students are challenged and supported.

  • Language and Literature
    An English programme for our students whose English level is at a native or near-native level of English.
  • Language acquisition
    A specially designed programme to support and develop our students with an intermediate plus level of English.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)

A specialised English programme for students in grades 6-8, with intensive English support and teaching. A foundation programme is offered in grades 6-7 for students with an A2 Elementary level of English.

Foreign Languages

All middle school students at our international school study either a foreign language, a mother tongue language or both. Languages are a huge part of our international school's culture. We strongly value multilingualism and supporting our students' language learning.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE Acquisition programme

The GESS Language Acquisition Programme starts in grade 6. Our students are given the choice of studying Mandarin, French, Spanish or German as a foreign language. Through expert tuition and a student-centred approach, our students can progress to studying the foreign language in the IB Diploma Programme.

Entry Requirements for Language Acquisition Programme

The Language Acquisition Programme (Mandarin, Spanish or French) starts in grade 6 at beginner level. Students joining grade 7 need at least 1 year of previous study and for grade 8, at least 2 years of previous study. Students that do not meet the language proficiency requirements for Mandarin, Spanish or French and do not study a mother tongue language will take beginner German.

There is a beginner German class in each grade and our students can progress to studying German in the IB Diploma programme as well as the prestigious DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe) German proficiency exam. Studying German as a foreign language opens your child’s future to some of the world’s most successful companies as well as leading global universities. Over 15 million students study German as a foreign language worldwide.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE TO SPEAK GERMAN TO JOIN GESS?

No, our German programme is designed for students who do not speak any German. There is a beginner German class in every grade. Most new students joining our international section do not speak German. There is no requirement for parents to speak German either.

Mother Tongue Programme

GESS International School is immensely proud of its Mother Tongue Programme and supports our students' connection to their cultural roots. With the newly redesigned language programme, students can choose to study their mother tongue language and a foreign language (Mandarin, Spanish, French, or German).

We currently offer the following mother tongue languages:

*Additional tutor fees apply. Other mother tongue languages may be possible. Please check with the Admissions Team.