Language Education Concept in the Elementary School
The Elementary School of the John F. Kennedy School follows a bilingual language education concept in German and English. Our goal is to provide all students – regardless of their home language – with competence-based, individualized, and continuous support in both languages.
Goals and Key Principles
- Ongoing language observation and diagnostics to identify support needs at an early stage
- Language-sensitive subject teaching that actively promotes the use of academic and everyday language
- Team teaching that supports individual learning processes in heterogeneous groups
- Support for all students – from emerging language learners to highly proficient speakers
- Close cooperation with parents to holistically accompany and support language development
Language Development from Entrance Class through Grade 6
Entrance Class to Grade 2
In the early school years, children experience both languages in a natural, immersive environment – integrated into songs, stories, classroom routines, and everyday conversations. Teaching is designed to foster language development in playful ways, strengthening vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills. There is a focus on providing literacy instruction in both languages starting in grade 1.
Grades 3 to 6
From Grade 3 onward, students are primarily taught in the homeroom from two Language teachers. Language support continues to play a central role and is supplemented by differentiated language groups (A, B, C). Additional support courses are offered for students with specific needs, alongside enrichment opportunities for advanced learners. Subject instruction remains consistently language-sensitive: visual aids, sentence starters, language scaffolds, and word banks help support comprehension and active language use in both languages.
German Intensive Program: Language Support for New Students without German Skills
This program is specifically designed for English-speaking students who are new to JFKS and have little or no prior knowledge of German. In small groups, they acquire essential language skills to participate in regular classes as quickly as possible. Support is tailored to each student, taking into account both their linguistic background and expected duration of stay at the school. The goal is either full integration into German-language instruction or a smooth transition back into the American school system.
