Bilingualism

At BI School, from the early preschool years, children interact daily in class with two teachers: one a native English speaker and the other a French speaker. We ensure that each child regularly engages with both teachers, avoiding the limitation of only interacting with the teacher who speaks their native language, by frequently organizing activities in small groups.

Starting from first grade, classes are conducted either in English or in French to maintain a balance in language usage and encourage the practice of both languages. This way, different subjects can be taught in either English or French.

The school defines bilingualism as the ability to express oneself, both in French and English, orally and in writing, with the same finesse. It involves early learning and true cultural immersion.

By the end of primary school, all students will have reached a level of English that will allow them to use the language as a working tool. All CM1 and CM2 classes operate with equal French/English hours. Each class has two teachers, one French-speaking and the other English-speaking, who share the curriculum and teaching time. Thus, subjects like mathematics and history-geography are taught in both languages, offering students two different approaches. The two teachers constantly coordinate to ensure the coherence of the program.