The Benefits of a Bilingual Education

Gina Bianchi, Head of School, ICS Côte d’Azur in conversation with Fiona Murchie.

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The school offers Early Years and Primary Years education from KG1 (age three) to PY6 (age 11) and is accredited to teach the IB Primary Years Programme, whilst also integrating the national curricula for England and France. The school is a proud member of Globeducate, one of the world’s leading premium bilingual and international school groups, with over 60 schools and online programmes in twelve countries.

An International Community

ICS Côte d’Azur is the only IB accredited school on the French Riviera offering the Primary Years Programme in French and English. The school welcomes both local French and expatriate international families into our community, and children receive 50:50 tuition in both languages. The wide range of nationalities provides a rich cultural experience, whilst promoting multilingualism, intercultural understanding and global engagement – all of which underpin the IB curriculum. Students are part of a dynamic network and leave Primary School prepared for secondary education in France and abroad.

School Introduction

Bilingualism

The benefits of a bilingual brain in children are multifaceted and extend beyond language proficiency. Research suggests that bilingualism enhances cognitive abilities, such as improved problem-solving skills, heightened creativity, and greater mental flexibility. From KG1 to PY2, the classroom environment offers students full immersion in both languages, with teachers adapting the curriculum to every child’s needs and setting individual goals. Furthermore, the school takes pride in its commitment to inclusivity and diverse learning needs by offering personalised English as an Additional Language (EAL) and a French as a Foreign Language (FLE) programmes for students aged eight and older. This enables students who join with beginner’s level French or English to access the curriculum and progress confidently, ultimately building a solid foundation and self-assurance in language acquisition.

A Culture of Care

The school’s culture of care is woven into the fabric of the educational community, creating a nurturing environment where every student feels valued and supported. This culture extends beyond academic achievements to encompass the holistic well-being of each individual. Teachers and staff actively cultivate positive relationships, fostering open communication and trust. Students are encouraged to express themselves, knowing that their voices are heard and respected. Whether facing academic challenges or personal triumphs, a network of care surrounds them, promoting resilience and self-confidence. This culture not only ensures a safe and welcoming atmosphere but also instills in our students a sense of belonging, kindness, and empathy, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.

STEAM and Innovation in the Curriculum

STEAM education is a growing force in today’s world, both in the classroom and industry. STEAM is an interdisciplinary and project-based approach to teaching science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.  At ICS Côte d’Azur, students learn tools and methods to explore new and creative ways of problem-solving; to think critically and independently; and to build bridges between ideas and realisation. In ICS cluster schools, design-thinking leads the way, and they are equipped to prepare each student to solve problems that have not yet been imagined, and to work in jobs that do not yet exist.Opened in April 2021, ICS’s “Hub” houses a 3D printer, science equipment, a state-of-the-art interactive touch screen, a green screen, and LEGO® Education robotics kits. In STEAM projects, students are hands-on learners: they learn how to analyse and interpret data in order to make informed choices, with teachers as co-investigators to show them the way.

Beyond the Classroom: Eco-Schools

Learning goes beyond the classroom as ICS Côte d’Azur, and the school is proud to fly the Eco-School flag. Eco-Schools is the world’s largest sustainable school programme that starts in the classroom and extends to the community by engaging students in action-based learning. The greatest achievement of the Eco-Schools programme is to produce generation after generation of people who care about sustainability and the environment.At ICS, the eldest students in PY6 are ‘eco-warriors’ and they lead the way and model positive behaviours and attitudes for younger learners. This includes initiatives such as waste management and recycling, litter pick-ups, tracking school energy consumption, reducing and composting canteen waste, and monthly eco-challenges.Other extra-curricular activities for students include Model United Nations; the Globeducate Visual Arts Competition and Robotics Challenge; webinars and online quizzes with Globeducate partner the WWF; school trips to local museums, and an annual residential visit to the Hautes Alpes region for students in PY3 and above.

A Globeducate School

Globeducate is one of the world’s leading premium K12 education organisations, with a network of 60+ premium bilingual and international schools, as well as online programmes, with 3000 teachers educating 35,000 students in twelve countries.The world is changing at an incredible pace. Today´s students will only succeed in the world of tomorrow if they are prepared for the challenges they will face.  In addition to providing a world-class education, Globeducate schools ensure that students develop skills and abilities beyond the purely academic. Students learn how to play their part in shaping the future; how to tackle the unprecedented social, economic and environmental challenges that are reshaping our global communities. Teachers, counselors and partners prepare this generation for jobs that have not yet been created, for technologies that have not yet been invented, and to solve problems that have not yet been anticipated.Through internationally recognised curricula and innovative teaching and learning, and international events and learning communities, each Globeducate student learns how to lay the foundations for a better future, and how to shape their world.

View Globeducate Featured School page

Student Story

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Visit ICS Côte d'Azur's Website

www.icscotedazur.com

Contact details

Email: admissions@icscotedazur.comPhone: +33 4 93 64 32 84

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