Creating confident, skilled and multi-language speaking young people

Languages Programme

We offer a Bilingual German-English Programme with a strong emphasis on French, catering to both native-speaking families and non-native learners.

In addition, we provide comprehensive French and German programmes tailored to students’ varying levels of proficiency, from Beginners to Advanced students. Recognising the importance of immersive learning, German is integrated across the curriculum rather than confined to language lessons alone. Students benefit from a dynamic approach that includes enrichment activities in different languages, as well as subjects such as PE and swimming being taught in German.

This immersive experience ensures that students do not simply learn a new language but actively live it, strengthening both their communication skills and cultural understanding of the country they live in.

German language pathways

At ELABasel, our German language pathways are designed to support every child according to their proficiency, ensuring steady progress and strong linguistic foundations. Children whose mother tongue is German, or who are already highly proficient, follow a dedicated programme from Reception to Year 7 based on the cantonal curriculum Lehrplan 21 beider Basel.

Advanced Programme

In Reception and Year 1, advanced learners are taught separately twice a week. These groups are known as the Rabbits (Hasen) in Reception and the Bears (Bären) in Year 1. From Year 2 onwards, advanced learners receive four German lessons per week, allowing them to deepen their skills with a focus on German as an additional language.

Intermediate and Beginner Programme from Reception to Year 1

Intermediate and beginner learners in Reception and Year 1 are taught together, ensuring a supportive and structured start. These groups are called the Hedgehogs (Igel) in Reception and the Foxes (Füchse) in Year 1.

Beginner Programme from Year 2 onwards

From Year 2 onwards, beginners are taught separately to allow targeted instruction at an appropriate pace. After a maximum of two academic years, Beginner learners transition into the Intermediate Programme as their confidence and competence develop. Children can change at any point from the Beginners to the Intermediates, and from the Intermediates to the Advanced, if they have made significant language progress and have been evaluated accordingly.

Learning Objectives and Progression

The curriculum for our Intermediate and Beginner pathways follows the European Language Portfolio of the CEFR for children and teenagers, providing clear, internationally recognised learning benchmarks. By the end of the Beginner Programme, pupils reach Level A1.2, while Intermediate learners typically achieve Level B1.2 by the end of Year 7. This structured approach ensures that all pupils, regardless of starting point, receive the guidance and challenge they need to thrive in German.

The German Language Acquisition Guide

Compulsory German Subjects

As part of our core programme, Mensch, Zeit & Raum is taught in German for one hour each week. This subject is based on our English curriculum while incorporating learning objectives from the Lehrplan 21, ensuring that pupils gain essential knowledge of the geographical and historical features of Switzerland. For our youngest learners, German Fun & Play (*Reception–Year 1) provides gentle, teacher-led play sessions designed to build early confidence and familiarity with German in a natural and engaging way.

*Reception and Year 1 = Kindergarten in local schools

Optional German Subjects

From Year 5 to Year 7, pupils may also choose optional subjects such as Natur & Technik and Deutsch Mathe, both taught according to the Lehrplan 21. These courses are aligned carefully with our English curriculum to ensure continuity, coherence and strong academic progression across both languages. Through this structured and immersive approach, ELABasel offers pupils a rich bilingual foundation that equips them for success in an increasingly interconnected world.

German Instruction per Year Group/Week*

French language pathways

French as a third language is a key component of our multilingual educational approach, supporting the development of strong communication skills as well as cultural awareness in a region located in close proximity to the French border.

Beginner and Intermediate learners study French as an additional language for two hours per week, following the CEFR framework to ensure structured and transparent progression. Dedicated teaching groups are provided for native French speakers and follow the French National Curriculum, progressing from CP to CM2.

The pathway extends into secondary education and reflects our unique position in Basel-Stadt as the only bilingual school offering French instruction for native speakers.

Introduction of French in Year 2

Upon starting their French journey in Year 2, pupils take part in one hour of French Learn & Play each week. They are introduced to French at Pre-A1 level through enjoyable, play-based activities such as games, songs, and simple craft tasks.

This gentle introduction helps children develop early confidence and curiosity in a third language, laying the foundation for further language learning in the years ahead.

The French Language Acquisition Guide

Language enrichment

To complement our Languages Programmes, we offer after-school enrichment activities that further support each child’s language development.

A sample of these programmes is shown in the adjacent table.

These sessions emphasise enjoyment, creativity and social interaction, giving pupils the opportunity to practise their language skills in relaxed and engaging settings. Through participation, children build confidence, form friendships and strengthen their communication skills in meaningful contexts.

Each year, we also offer heritage classes based on the cultural backgrounds of our ELABasel community.

Language enrichment

As part of our Languages Programmes, pupils take part in German and French outings and events throughout the year, integrating with the local environment and applying language skills in real contexts.

These include the Language Flea Market / Sprachen-Flohmarkt (Year 6), the Winter Theater / Wintertheater (Reception–Year 7), German Storytime for Preschool pupils (Years 3–7), the Kinder- und Jugendbücherschiff, kayaking at Parc des Eaux Vives in Huningue (Years 6–7), and the Year 5 day trip to Berne.

These activities enrich learning and help pupils build confidence, fluency, and cultural awareness.