Bilingual and multilingual education enriches every student’s life with diverse cognitive benefits. Increasing fluency deepens understanding of culture.
Second Language Program
At IGS, all students continue to study a second language (French, Japanese, German or Italian) to the end of Year 10. For students entering IGS in year 7, a beginner level class in a selected second language is available. The selected beginner language varies from year to year. Beginner groups study slightly faster and more intensively, and have the same opportunities later to participate in exchange programs.
Students in Year 7 and Year 8 attend a two-day immersion camp in their second language.
Third Language Program
All students in Year 7 and Year 8 study a third language (currently Chinese or Spanish) at beginner level. The third language becomes an elective choice in Year 9 and Year 10.
Senior Language Program
Students are encouraged to continue their study of languages in Year 11 and Year 12 as HSC subjects. The second and third languages studied in Year 7 to Year 10 progress into the Continuers Courses (2 units) of the HSC. In each of these languages, it is also possible to sit for a further 1-unit Extension course. IGS also offers intensive two-year beginner courses in Chinese and Spanish and, when there is demand, Japanese.
Acceleration
Students who are achieving at a very advanced level, and demonstrating mature senior study skills, may be considered for acceleration in their second language study.
Exchange and Travel Opportunities
Experiential learning has an immediate impact on a student’s cultural outlook. IGS has established exchange relationships with schools in Montpellier and Valbonne (France), Bad Salzuflen (Germany), Rovereto (Italy) and Madrid (Spain). An unescorted reciprocal exchange takes place every year. Students in Year 9 to Year 11 can go for a six-week school and homestay experience in late November through to January. A teacher from IGS visits the students at their European school to support them during their exchange. French, German, Italian and Spanish students come to IGS for a six-week school and family homestay experience in July/August.
A reciprocal exchange program with Japan and China also provides opportunities for students to travel in accompanied groups to visit schools and experience homestay. These opportunities greatly enhance students’ language skills, and their love and understanding of a different culture.
IGS students also have the opportunity to reside over the summer break at The Queen’s College, Oxford, in order to participate in the Oxford Royale Summer School Program in disciplines as diverse as Architecture, Engineering, Leadership and Law.