European Section
1. How many grades does the European section offer?
2. Why does GESM not offer bilingual German-English classes instead of two sections, the German and the Euro-section?
3. Is there a placement test for the European section?
4. Does the school provide ESL (English as a Second Language) support?
5. Do you accept children with limited knowledge of English?
6. What about reading and writing?
7. Is German as a second language imperative at Primary School?
8. I am German, can my child attend the European section?
9. Do you hire local teachers?
10. When does the school year begin?
11. Can my child who is a Philippine Citizen get admission into the European Section?
12. How do you integrate children from the Filipino school calendar to the international school calendar?
13. At what age are children accepted at grade 1 Primary?
14. What are the school fees at the European Section?
15. Supplementary costs
16. Do you need to pay for Extra-Curricular Activities?
17. Is it possible to transfer to the German section later on?
18. Do students at the end of Secondary receive a high school graduation?
19. Do you offer foreign languages at Primary level?
20. Does GESM offer boarding house services?
1. How many grades does the European section offer?
In 2008 we will offer classes from Kindergarten through grade 2 Primary School. (Ages 3-8) Further expansion of classes will occur in 2009.
2. Why does GESM not offer bilingual German-English classes instead of two sections, the German and the Euro-section?
In 2008 we will offer classes from Kindergarten through grade 2 Primary School. (Ages 3-8) Further expansion of classes will occur in 2009.
GESM puts absolute highest priority to English as the language of instruction at the Euro Section. The teachers are native speakers and we fulfill international curricula. This ay, the student’s mobility to other countries and international schools is guaranteed.
In addition an enforced programme German as a foreign language is offered. German-English bilinguality is a goal for the students but not a mandatory requirement for the future career at secondary level. Children from other European countries may study and continue their native language as well.
In our German section, the highest priority is the performance in German. German is the language of in-struction. There we fulfill the German curricula on a mother-tongue level. This way, we offer the mobility to all schools in Germany. Still, most of our students at the German section reach bilinguality level at the end of grade 10. Hence, the international mobility of our German students is supported as well. Solely bilingual classes would reduce the mobility of our students.
3. Is there a placement test for the European section?
At Kindergarten and Primary School level the children are not required to take a placement test. Appli-cants are invited to spend a visitor’s day at the school. During this day, the teacher will determine whether the child will fit suitably within the class. For some children a trial period and intensified observa-tion may be required.
4. Does the school provide ESL (English as a Second Language) support?
Yes, English as an additional language may be provided as needed. This will be based on the agreement between the school and the parents during the application process as this is part of the learning plan. Note that all these activities are not included in the school fees.
5. Do you accept children with limited knowledge of English?
This will be treated on a case by case basis. However, at the primary level a solid understanding of English is required.
6. What about reading and writing?
Children are introduced to reading and writing when they enter the school at Kindergarten level. By the age of 6 they can read and write daily with confidence.
7. Is German as a second language imperative at Primary School?
Yes. We believe that 2 languages are a gift, not only for the language knowledge itself but for inter-cultural awareness as well. At the Kindergarten level, all children are already exposed to the German lan-guage while German as a second language is learned five (5) hours a week at the Primary school.
8. I am German, can my child attend the European section?
Yes. We will evaluate the situation and our decision will be based on the student's best interest (e.g. What is the child's first language? Language proficiency?) and the situation at home (What is the language at home? What kind of support is available at home?
9. Do you hire local teachers?
While we do not exclude other nationalities, our teachers at the European section come from Great Brit-ain, New Zealand and lately from India. We base our teaching requirements on their knowledge and ex-perience with international curricula, working with the PYP programme and command of languages among others.
10. When does the school year begin?
Tuition usually starts in mid-August.
11. Can my child who is a Philippine Citizen get admission into the European Section?
Yes, Philippine students are most welcome. Providing they follow the general requirements.
12. How do you integrate children from the Filipino school calendar to the international school calendar?
We are aware that children attending a Filipino school end their year at the end of March, whereas inter-national schools finish at the end of June and return in late August. Due to this we are allowing children this year to join their present grade in April. This means that a child wishing to join our first grade in Au-gust can enter the pre school class in April to attend the last 3 months of our school year.
13. At what age are children accepted at grade 1 Primary?
Children must be 6 years old and have their 7th birthday between 1st September and August 31st.
14. What are the school fees at the European Section?
As an independent private school we strongly rely on school fees. School fees of the European Section comply with those of the German Section (for further information click here).
15. Supplementary costs
It is our aim to keep additional costs at a low level. Nevertheless supplementary fees could be charged for individual support, extracurricular activities, field trips, notebooks and other necessary school materials.
16. Do you need to pay for Extra-Curricular Activities?
Yes, the activities are individually chosen and paid accordingly.
17. Is it possible to transfer to the German section later on?
Yes. The curricula have been carefully put together to guarantee permeability. Since all students learn German there is always the possibility for specially gifted children to transfer. This is being supported by a special curriculum for learning German.
18. Do students at the end of Secondary receive a high school graduation?
Yes. The German School offers high school graduation although we aim for all our students to acquire the IB Diploma after grade 12.
19. Do you offer foreign languages at Primary level?
Yes. Of course there is the intensive German language programme. As a part of extra curricular activities, some children may also choose Mandarin. From grade 3 on Filipino and Philippine culture is mandatory.
20. Does GESM offer boarding house services?
Most of our parents live in Metro Manila and prefer a living place in reach of the school. That is why, a boarding school is not offered at GESM.
