All students at FIS, with the exception of a few in the highest grades, are required to take German. Even beginning learners of English are placed in German classes. Some parents question this. They fear that learning two new languages at once may confuse their child; they also feel that their child should concentrate only on English in the first year at the school.

These feelings are understandable, but in fact researchers have shown that the brain can indeed acquire and store two languages at the same time with no problems except the occasional switching of words. Indeed, there are two very good reasons why even beginning learners of English should take German at our school. Firstly, it is most important that they learn the language of the host country so that they can make friends in their neighbourhood and make the most of their shopping and other social or sporting experiences. Children who feel alienated from Germany because they do not know any language are more likely to be unhappy and unsuccessful in school.

Secondly, it is very important for ESL students to have at least one subject in school in which they can function at the same level as the native speakers of English. In their science or math class, for example, the native speakers have a clear advantage because of their command of the language of the lesson. This is not the case in German lessons. This gives ESL students an equal chance to do well - and they usually do very well! This is good for their selesteem and has a positive effect on their learning of other subjects too.