Foreign language acquisition at the Nelson Mandela School - 2nd foreign language

Hola, qué tal? - Salut! Ça va? Spanish and French at the Nelson Mandela School

Language learning is important, because it

- opens ways into the world and expands the horizon

- is an important contribution to intercultural exchange

- promotes tolerance and openness

As an international school, multilingualism is particularly important to us. In light of the linguistic diversity in Europe and the world, our school has set the goal of supporting students on their way to multilingualism.

At the time of transition from primary to secondary level, our students are already well established in bilingualism. From grade 7, they then have the choice between French and Spanish as their second foreign language at beginners ‘level.

 The teachers follow modern foreign language didactics with a great emphasis on every day, authentic communication situations.

In addition, both departments regularly organize French and Spanish evenings together with the students. The program is colorful, entertaining and fun!

In order to give our students the opportunity to apply their newly gained  knowledge, the 9th grade teachers organize a language trip to the French or Spanish-speaking countries.  Also, in both languages we encourage participation in intercultural exchange programmes of varying length (from a few weeks in lower secondary level to a full school year in grade 11).

From grade 9 onwards, pupils* who have already been learning one of the two second foreign languages for two years with great fun and success are given the opportunity to learn the other language in addition to their third foreign language.

Spanish/French in upper secondary

The aim of the following film is to motivate students to continue with the foreign language learning in upper secondary. Please find further information here.

The 2nd foreign language for German "Seiteneinsteiger"

Since students with little or no knowledge of German also come to our school, they usually take part in special German lessons in our "Lernbüro" for two years from grade 7 onwards. They can be exempted from the regular Second Foreign Language (Spanish or French from grade 7) after a probationary period and in this case start learning the respective chosen language from grade 9 in the beginner's elective courses. Students who still need help with learning the German language, but who have already mastered another (mother) tongue at B1 level, have the opportunity to have this recognized and can be exempted from French or Spanish lessons on request in order to use the free hours for additional German lessons.