Learning German

At GESM, German is a core part of the curriculum across all school sections, reflecting our strong commitment to multilingualism and international education.

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In the English Section

All students in the English Section learn German.

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• In Kindergarten, German is introduced playfully through songs, stories, and activities.

• From Grade 1 onwards, German is a required subject taught as DaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache – German as a foreign language).

• New students with little or no prior experience in German are placed in beginner-level classes and are assessed to ensure appropriate placement. They are not graded against peers who have studied German longer.

• In cases where a student is enrolled in the EAL (English as an Additional Language) program, German instruction may be delayed until the student completes EAL Stage 3.

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All students in the English Section are prepared for official German language certifications, including:

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• DSD I (Deutsches Sprachdiplom I) by the end of Grade 10 (A2–B1 CEFR level)

• DSD II by the end of Grade 12 (B2–C1 CEFR level)

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German learning extends beyond the classroom through:

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• Bilingual clubs and collaboration periods

• Cultural exchange trips and excursions to Germany

• Internship placements with German companies (local and international, where possible)

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In the German Section

Students in the German Section follow a curriculum aligned with the standards in Germany.

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• Instruction is conducted in German, and students are expected to have age-appropriate German proficiency.

• However, children without prior German knowledge may be accepted from Kindergarten up to Primary grades. For older students with little or no German, enrollment is considered case-by-case. Factors such as family commitment, school support capacity, and staff availability are taken into account.

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Students needing support in German receive differentiated language assistance, which may include:

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• Push-in support: language support provided during regular lessons

• Pull-out support: small-group or one-on-one sessions with a specialist teacher

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These approaches help students build their German proficiency while staying engaged with the curriculum. 

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