The language journey is a personal adventure that unfolds differently for every student at Haut-Lac. That’s why we…
We use our 30+ years’ experience in bilingual education to shape and refine our dynamic English-French programme in line with each student’s needs.
By partnering with bilingualism specialists and closely observing student progress, we keep our approach fresh and effective so as to encourage natural language use in every setting.
Haut-Lac students aged 3 to 18 live both languages during the day, as they attend lessons, chat in corridors, play outside and participate in after-school activities. This commitment helps them both excel in English and French and develop the cultural awareness and communication skills needed for modern society.
Haut-Lac students can take their language skills beyond our bilingual programme with optional German (from P3) and Spanish (from MYP1) courses. These interactive classes focus on real-life communication and cultural exploration.
MYP1-5 students continue building their skills in these languages through conversation, projects and cultural activities in preparation for the internationally-recognised Goethe Institute German exams or DELE Escolar Spanish certifications.
They can then develop their chosen third language further by taking it as a Group 2 subject during the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP). Whether for travel, study or career prospects, these language options enable students to connect with the world in new and meaningful ways.
Home to 64 nationalities, Haut-Lac values the role of mother tongue education in learning and personal growth. We encourage students to use their native language to help them understand new concepts, strengthen their critical thinking, and stay connected to their culture.
We promote our native languages through:
Our dedicated Educational Support Department works alongside classroom teachers to identify each child’s strengths and challenges, so as to help them build confidence and succeed.
Through carefully structured interventions, differentiated learning approaches and close collaboration with families, we create an inclusive environment where all students can access the curriculum confidently.
Our support includes:
Get insight on bilingualism, mother tongue education and language learning at Haut-Lac from our academic leaders, teachers and students.
Both English and French are languages of instruction at Haut-Lac.
Students can follow:
All pathways ensure students develop strong bilingual skills, though the intensity of each language varies depending on the chosen stream.
Students in prekindergarten through to grade 5 can choose between a fully bilingual English-French pathway or an English-only pathway.
The first means they alternate between English and French on a day-by-day basis to cover all traditional academic subjects in both languages.
The second means they study everything in English along with daily French lessons.
MYP1 to IB2 students can choose between a fully bilingual, progressively bilingual or English-only pathway. The first and the latter options follow a similar pattern to the respective primary school pathways. The progressively bilingual route enables students to gradually study more subjects in French as their knowledge and ability in the language grows.
Yes, Haut-Lac has specialist teachers for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and French as an Additional Language (FLA) to help students develop proficiency.
The language support team works with classroom teachers to develop Individual Language Support Plans, so students can access the curriculum whilst building their language skills at an appropriate pace.
Support is provided primarily within the classroom to help students feel integrated in their peer group. One-to-one or small group sessions outside class may be offered, but this is used sparingly to maintain social integration.
Students developing English or French proficiency receive support from specialist EAL/FLA teachers, classroom assistants and volunteers working as a coordinated team.
Haut-Lac teachers have been trained in supporting language learners and have resources to help students access content whilst developing fluency. The responsibility for language development is shared between the classroom teacher, the designated support teacher and the child’s family.
The school also provides mother tongue support, as it believes maintaining strong first language skills helps accelerate second language acquisition.
Yes, students study German from P3 (grade 3), can add Spanish from MYP1 (grade 6) and/or select language and literature in their mother tongue as a school-supported self-taught IB diploma subject.
Haut-Lac also offers after-school beginner and mother tongue language clubs. However, these vary based on demand.
Yes, our 150+ after-school clubs include options that support language development.
Drama, debate and public speaking clubs help students develop confidence using English and French in performance contexts.
Native language clubs enable students to maintain their mother tongue whilst at school in Switzerland.
The mixing of students from different language backgrounds in all clubs also provides informal language practice as children communicate with peers during activities.
Haut-Lac recognises mother tongue languages as powerful tools that help increase the rate of second language acquisition. Its language policy explicitly values the language and cultural background of all learners on the understanding that children thrive when they can communicate in the language of their home, their school and their environment.
It runs native language clubs enabling students to continue learning in their first language whilst developing French and English skills. These clubs are based on demand so the language selection available may vary.
Yes, Haut-Lac provides both beginner and mother language clubs for students who want to learn a new language or continue developing their home language. These vary based on demand, but have included Spanish, German, Dutch, Mandarin and Japanese.
Yes, Haut-Lac actively celebrates the linguistic diversity of its community through events, activities and daily support.
International celebration days
The school marks key dates in the calendar, including International Mother Language Day, Journée Internationale de la Francophonie and the European Day of Languages. These events raise awareness of linguistic diversity and help students appreciate the value of multilingualism.
Haut-Lac International Day
This annual highlight celebrates the school’s 64 nationalities through multicultural food, drink, dance and quizzes. All organised by staff and parents for other staff, parents, students, alumni and friends in a vibrant showcase of the school’s global community.
Daily support
Language learning apps help non-English and non-French speakers develop their skills whilst maintaining connection to their home languages. This technology enables teachers to support students as they navigate their bilingual education journey.
