The Benefits of a Bilingual Education
Gina Bianchi, Head of School in conversation with Fiona Murchie
9 May 2024
ICS Côte d’Azur is a bilingual, co-educational, IB World Primary School serving the international and local community in the Sophia Antipolis region, southwest of Nice.
Gina Bianchi was born and raised in the Chicago area, and after receiving her undergraduate degree in social work, she moved to Normandy, France to work as a Middle School Assistant.Before returning to the United States, she received her Advanced French language degree from the University of Rennes II.Her experiences in France solidified her passion for impactful work in education, and -inspired her to pursue additional studies in education as a teacher. After teaching first grade at Milwaukee French Immersion School for five years, she earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She then served as the school principal in Milwaukee for 8 years, before relocating to New Orleans with her family to serve as school principal at the Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans.She joined ICS Côte d'Azur bilingual school in July 2024 as Head of 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.
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Facts about ICS
- 50/50 bilingual English/French Curriculum
- 200 students aged 3 - 11
- Over 30 nationalities
- An IB accredited school offering the Primary Years Programme
- A proud member of Globeducate
Benefit of 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.In this lively webinar recording you will learn about the different models of a bilingual education and explore how a bilingual education helps children become strong communicators, speakers and writers in both languages. Learn what families should look for when choosing a school and bilingual programme. Discover the importance of STEAM and innovation in the curriculum at ICS Côte d'Azur and the fabulous facilities on offer which are being further developed over the coming months. Learn about the importance of outdoor education in the school's woodland setting and new building developments for early years. Understand how a culture of wellbeing underpins the ethos of this innovative school community. Parents, employers and relocation professionals will take away a real understanding of the benefits of a bilingual education and an insight to this thriving region of France at the forefront of technology.
Gina Bianchi, Head of School, ICS Côte d'Azur
Gina Bianchi was born and raised in the Chicago area, and after receiving her undergraduate degree in social work, she moved to Normandy, France to work as a Middle School Assistant.Before returning to the United States, she received her Advanced French language degree from the University of Rennes II.Her experiences in France solidified her passion for impactful work in education, and -inspired her to pursue additional studies in education as a teacher. After teaching first grade at Milwaukee French Immersion School for five years, she earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. She then served as the school principal in Milwaukee for 8 years, before relocating to New Orleans with her family to serve as school principal at the Lycée Français de la Nouvelle Orléans.She joined ICS Côte d'Azur bilingual school in July 2024 as Head of School.View ICS Côte d'Azur's Featured School page
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.
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Subscribe to Relocate Extra, our monthly newsletter, to get all the latest international assignments and global mobility news.Relocate’s new Global Mobility Toolkit provides free information, practical advice and support for HR, global mobility managers and global teams operating overseas.
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