Teaching in German and English

German and English from the first day of school

Use of languages

As part of a full-day primary school, German is used in lessons and English is also used integratively (but not exclusively) from the first day of school as a component of primary education and during learning and care time. Children learn to find their way naturally and confidently in both languages.

In doing so, the foreign language is used playfully and entirely naturally to engage with the world around them. This enables the child to learn subconsciously, overcome inhibitions about the foreign language, and use it as a matter of course. During the initial period, the child learns to understand. This is achieved through visualisation and contextualisation of the learning content; for example, pictures are shown and there is extensive use of gestures and symbols. In the next step, our pupils begin to use the second language on their own.

Access to the foreign language therefore resembles the way toddlers acquire their mother tongue.

Scientific studies and experience have shown:

• Several years of instruction in this form leads to an almost native-like command of the second language.
• The greatest success is achieved through intensive engagement with the languages even before starting school.
• The development of the mother tongue is not negatively affected.
• Beyond language acquisition, children’s general cognitive development is supported, for example language awareness, creativity, and thinking in terms of alternative solutions.

At Meridian Grinzing Private Primary School, children can learn English immersively during learning and care time in addition to German (which they must already be proficient in), even if their mother tongue is neither German nor English.

All of this enables learners to access the rational, emotional, and cultural dimensions of the target language. This is the basis for developing comprehensive and holistic language competence.