At BSB’s Primary School, we pride ourselves on fostering a multicultural and multilingual environment where language learning is both immersive and enjoyable. Embracing multilingualism and a love of languages at BSB is one of the main aims of our Primary programme. Our language provisions are carefully crafted to cater to the diverse needs of our students, ensuring they develop not only linguistic proficiency but also cultural understanding and appreciation.
BSB offers a bilingual French-English programme for those children it is appropriate for following a meeting with the Bilingual team. This was the first truly bilingual programme to be introduced in an international school in Belgium.
In the Primary School, a dedicated team of highly qualified English and French mother-tongue speakers teach students aged four to 11 in a 50/50 mixture of French and English, fostering a true appreciation for both languages and developing skills that are useful beyond the classroom.
The children in the Primary School bilingual classes follow the same broad, balanced BSB curriculum as their peers in the English section but all subjects are taught in both languages.
French is a cornerstone of our curriculum, with the majority of students benefiting from specialised French lessons. However, exceptions exist for students in bilingual classes, where French is seamlessly integrated into daily instruction, as well as for English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners who may require additional support in mastering English before embarking on a third language journey.
Our approach to teaching French is designed to be immersive and playful, with a focus on accelerating progress through engaging activities and authentic conversation. Through four weekly lessons in Lower Primary and three in Upper Primary, students are exposed to the richness of the French language and culture, laying a strong foundation for future language acquisition.
In addition to French, students in Upper Primary who are not in EAL provision also have the opportunity to delve into Dutch language and culture through one weekly lesson. These sessions are carefully crafted to equip students with practical language skills essential for everyday life in a Dutch-speaking region, while also fostering an appreciation for Belgian traditions and customs.
Our Dutch lessons are characterised by their interactive and creative nature, allowing students to actively engage with the language and develop a genuine enjoyment for learning. By incorporating games, conversations, and cultural activities, we strive to make language acquisition a fun and rewarding experience for young learners.
We believe that embracing multilingualism enriches the educational experience and prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. Through our language provisions, we aim to empower students with the skills and confidence to communicate effectively across linguistic and cultural boundaries, nurturing global citizens who value diversity and inclusivity.