Struggling to get your kids keep up their mother tongue
German European School Singapore (GESS) 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289 760 www.gess.sg l info@gess.sg l Tel: +65 6469 1131
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any expat parents worry about the language development of their children. Growing up in an English speaking environment makes it challenging for children to speak in their mother tongue, when their friends and teachers all speak English and the only time they hear their native language is at the dinner table. The ability to speak multiple languages is a gift which many envy and kids growing up in an international environment like Singapore are therefore in a very privileged language situation. Apart from the parents, the international schools play an important role in supporting children to keep up with their mother tongue. While research is conclusive about the importance of multilingualism for children’s development, as it helps them gain a deeper understanding of language and how to use it effectively, many people are not aware about how quickly children can lose the ability to communicate in their mother tongue. Returning to your home country may become a major struggle for the children and eventually the whole family. Research shows that multilingual children perform better in school when the school effectively teaches the mother tongue and, where appropriate, develops literacy in that language. The German European School in Singapore (GESS) supports children in several language programmes. The core languages at GESS are English and German and all students from preschool to grade 12 are learning these two languages at a variety of levels from beginner to native speaker. Additionally, the school offers different mother tongue programmes that are fully integrated in the curriculum of the German and the European IB Section. There is a Danish mother tongue programme which starts in Kindergarten with a Midday Programme, continuing in primary school with after school classes, then a fully integrated programme offered in middle and high school (where applicable). For other languages, GESS offers a mother tongue support programme that is directed by the school’s language coordinators in conjunction with external tutors. This programme allows students in secondary school to follow almost any additional language at mother tongue level.
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GESS - Giving Children Roots and Wings International education in German and English from Pre-School to Grade 12, encouraging students to develop their strengths and become balanced, responsible and informed world citizens 1,500 students of more than 50 nationalities Authorized IB World School for PYP, MYP, and IB Diploma programmes taught in English (est. 2005) German curriculum with all school leaving certificates (founded 1971) Dedicated, caring international staff. Low student to teacher ratio 2 green, spacious campuses close to nature reserves Modern facilities and ICT, bright airy classrooms Wide range of co-curricular activities including vocal and instrumental programme C.A.R.E.@GESS uniting charity, community service and environmental projects offering students hands-on encounters and understanding of Asia.
GESS 72 Bukit Tinggi Road, Singapore 289760 www.gess.sg . info@gess.sg . Tel: +65 6469 1131 CPE Registration Number: N05-01-443, Period of Registration: 22/06/2011 - 21/6/2017
April 2013 • ScandAsia.Singapore 25