What is the bilingual
German-English IB (GIB)?
The Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureate (GIB) is the German-English bilingual version of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Recognised by the German authorities as equivalent to Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur), the German school leaving qualification. It combines the internationally respected IB Diploma with an advanced level of academic proficiency in German.
WHY CHOOSE THE GIB?
The GIB combines the strengths of two internationally recognised educational pathways. Graduates receive an IB Diploma while also meeting the language requirements for recognition as an Abitur-equivalent qualification in Germany. This keeps the door open to Germany's excellent state university system, where almost all universities charge practically no tuition fees.
The programme offers significant advantages for students who wish to:
Study at universities in Germany and other German-speaking countries
Keep both German and international higher education pathways open
Demonstrate a high level of academic German alongside excellent English proficiency
Develop the bilingual and intercultural competencies valued by universities and employers worldwide
Whether students ultimately pursue higher education in Germany or elsewhere, the GIB reflects a high standard of multilingual academic achievement and prepares them for success in an international environment.
YOUR JOURNEY TO THE GIB
GRADE 1
German as part of the curriculum
GRADES 6-10
Optional bilingual German-English pathway
GRADES 11-12
Complete the IBDP while studying selected subjects in German
GRADUATE
Earn the IB Diploma and the GIB
Grade 1 onwards
From Grade 1, all students study German as part of the curriculum. The course they attend depends on their individual proficiency level.
Grades 6–10
Starting Grade 6, our program is optionally bilingual German-English. Native German speakers study Deutsch für Muttersprachler (DaM), while students learning German follow courses appropriate to their language development, allowing them to progress at their own pace.
Students who have developed sufficient proficiency in German may choose to study Biology and History in German. This provides valuable experience with academic German well before entering the IB Diploma Programme and creates a natural pathway towards the GIB.
Grades 11–12
At the GESM, students have the opportunity to earn the GIB alongside the IB Diploma. To qualify, students complete the standard IB Diploma Programme while studying selected subjects in German. At GESM, this includes German A, Biology, and History in Grades 11 and 12.
A School That Lives Bilingualism
German language learning extends far beyond the German classroom. Throughout the school, students are encouraged to use both German and English in authentic, everyday situations. Many activities are intentionally organised in bilingual settings.
During Physical Education, for example, classes are often supported by both a German-speaking and an English-speaking teacher, allowing students to develop language skills naturally while participating in sports. A similar bilingual approach is found in selected afternoon clubs, projects, and school activities, where students experience both languages as part of daily school life.
This consistent exposure helps students gain confidence in using German across different contexts and contributes to the strong multilingual culture that distinguishes GESM.
GESM is the only school in the Philippines able to offer a bilingual IB program, providing students with a distinctive academic pathway that combines German educational traditions with the global outlook of the International Baccalaureate.
HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Hear firsthand how our students experience the Gemischtsprachige International Baccalaureate (GIB) and how it is preparing them for university and beyond.
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