Education of plurilingual children

Some children are lucky to have a mother tongue and a father tongue – they are able to learn two languages simultaneously from the very day they are born. Other children become acquainted with a second or third language during the early years of their lives because their parents work and live in a country where a language different from their own is spoken. Some children are sent to an international child care facility or school so that they have the opportunity to learn more than one language at an early age.

These children are lucky because the best time to learn languages is between birth and age 7. At that stage of their development, children pick up languages like sponges. But if that window is missed, learning a language becomes hard work. However, being able to communicate in foreign languages is one of the competencies needed in an ever more interconnected and interdependent world. In the world of tomorrow bilingual children will certainly have a considerable advantage. But early dual language learning is beneficial in other ways, too. Researchers have shown that, compared to monolinguals, children who learn two languages simultaneously at an early age perform better on verbal tasks as well as on non-verbal tasks, are more creative, and have better social skills.

Deutsche Schule Kobe/European School is committed to supporting families who are bilingual and/or want to give their children a bilingual education at school. Biliteracy is an essential element of our educational programme. Classes in the German section (language of instruction: German) are conducted according to the curricula of the state of Thuringia while the European section (language of instruction: English) uses the PYP Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organization. We also offer Japanese language lessons based on an abridged version of the Japanese curriculum for primary schools.

In addition to nurturing cognitive growth, our school also focuses on the development of a strong personality, confidence, and open-mindedness. They provide the basis for a successful bilingual education.

"The more languages you know, the more of a person you are."

(Proverb)

Early Language Learning

From the beginning of this school year we are implementing a program which gives all of our students the chance to learn three languages at school. As a European school we take our cue from the language policy promoted by the Council of Europe. This policy attaches particular importance to the education of plurilingual and intercultural citizens, people who can speak several languages and are aware of their own culture and the cultures of other countries. Linguistic skills and intercultural competences are indispensable for children who will live and work in the interconnected world of the 21st century.

In 2002 the European Council called for the teaching of at least two foreign languages from a very early age (Barcelona Agreement). What are the psychological and pedagogical advantages of early language teaching? Here are some answers from the Recommendations for Early Language Learning, which are based on research in the area of foreign language learning in primary school:

Early foreign language teaching

- takes advantage of age-related psychological and physical characteristics of children, such as curiosity, eagerness to learn, need to communicate, readiness and ability to imitate, and ability to produce new or unfamiliar sounds.

- provides children with an additional dimension for personal development.

- encourages a positive attitude towards foreign languages.

- gives children the opportunity for a holistic foreign language learning experience.

- has a positive effect on learning in general.

"The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language."

(Ezra Pound, in the ABC of Reading)