Top 5 International Schools with the Best Language Learning Opportunities

Dreaming of your child speaking multiple foreign languages with ease?

Mastering not only English but also one or two additional languages — such as Chinese or French — is an invaluable competitive advantage in today’s world. Numerous studies confirm that learning a foreign language is much easier during childhood, before the age of 17–18, when the brain is more flexible and capable of achieving an almost native-like level of proficiency.

We have prepared a selection of the best international schools that offer not only high-quality bilingual education but also the opportunity to study additional languages from an early age.

Contents:

1. International High School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France)
2. German European School Singapore (GESS)
3. King George V School (Hong Kong)
4. École Jeannine Manuel (Paris, Lille, London)
5. St Peter’s School, Barcelona (Spain)

1. International High School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (France)

Primary language of instruction: French + a second language from 14 national sections

National sections offered:

• English (American or British sections)
• Danish
• Chinese
• Dutch
• German
• Spanish
• Italian
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• Swedish
• Japanese

Program: Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) — French International Baccalaureate

About the school:

International High School of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye) is a prestigious French public school located 20 km west of Paris, in the town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Founded in 1952 for the children of NATO personnel, today it stands as one of France’s leading educational institutions, offering education for students aged 4 to 18.

The school is renowned for its academic excellence and the consistent success of its graduates — for instance, the pass rate for the BFI exams in the American Section reaches 99–100%.

What makes Lycée International unique is its bilingual education model: the French Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) combined with 14 international sections. Each section provides in-depth instruction in the student’s native language — English, German, Chinese, Spanish, and others. The curriculum also includes additional courses in literature, language, and history of the respective country, all taught by native-speaking teachers.

At the primary level, Lycée International welcomes students with no prior knowledge of French. After one year of intensive language preparation, they join regular French classes with personalized support. The school actively fosters cultural diversity and regularly organizes events that bring all sections together.

2. German European School Singapore (GESS)

Primary languages of instruction: English, German

Additional languages (optional):

• Spanish
• Latin
• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Korean
• Portuguese
• Russian
• French
• Japanese

Programs offered:

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• German Curriculum (Baden-Württemberg)

About the school:

The German European School Singapore (GESS) is an international school that has been offering bilingual education since 1971. It combines the German curriculum with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and currently educates more than 1,800 students from over 65 nationalities. The school is accredited by the German Ministry of Education as an Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule (“Excellent German School Abroad”) and is a member of both the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the PASCH network.

Student age range:

• 2 to 5 years: Preschool (early childhood education)
• 6 to 18 years: German and International (IB) programs

German Curriculum: Based on the educational standards of Baden-Württemberg, this track offers all German school-leaving certificates, including Hauptschule, Realschule, and the Deutsches Internationales Abitur.

International Curriculum (IB): Delivered in English, this track offers three core IB programs — PYP (Primary Years Programme), MYP (Middle Years Programme), and DP (Diploma Programme). Starting in 2024, the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) will also be available.

Students in both tracks study two core languages — German and English — while also having the option to take additional languages such as French, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, and Latin. Moreover, Dutch and Danish mother-tongue programs are integrated into the curriculum (at no extra cost), ensuring that native speakers can continue developing literacy in their home language.

3. King George V School (Hong Kong)

Primary language of instruction: English

Additional languages: Chinese + one European language of choice (French, Spanish, or German)

Programs offered:

• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP)
• IGCSE
• BTEC — Business & Technology Education Council
• IBCP — IB Career-related Programme

About the school:

King George V School (KGV), located in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong, was founded in 1902 and is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF). Today, it educates around 1,800 students aged 11 to 18 and offers a wide range of academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma, IGCSE, BTEC, and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP).

• Years 7–9: Students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP).
• Years 10–11: Students complete a two-year course leading to IGCSE or BTEC examinations.
• Years 12–13: Students may choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the BTEC International Diploma.

Instruction is delivered in English, while all students also study Chinese and have the option to learn one additional European language — French, German, or Spanish.

4. École Jeannine Manuel (Paris, Lille, London)

Primary languages of instruction: English, French

Additional languages (optional):

• Spanish
• Italian
• Chinese
• Latin
• German

Programs offered:

• Baccalauréat Français International (BFI)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

About the school:

Founded in 1954, École Jeannine Manuel has established itself as one of France’s leading international schools. In fact, in 2019 it was ranked as the best school in France based on International Baccalaureate examination results.

The school offers bilingual education in French and English, starting from preschool through to Grade 12. Known for its high academic standards and multicultural environment, École Jeannine Manuel educates around 3,000 students across its three campuses in Paris, Lille, and London, representing more than 80 nationalities.

It is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools network as well as the Council of International Schools (CIS).

From Grade 3 onward, all students study Chinese. In Grade 6, they may choose between Chinese and Latin, and in Grade 7, they can begin an additional European language (Spanish, Italian, or German).

5. St PETER’S SCHOOL, Barcelona (Spain)

Primary language of instruction: English

Additional languages offered:

• Spanish
• Catalan
• French
• German
• Chinese

Program: International Baccalaureate (IB)

About the school:

Founded in 1964, St PETER’S SCHOOL is an international school in Barcelona where English is the main language of instruction. It is the only school in the city to offer the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Continuum in English — from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) through to the Diploma Programme (DP).

The school is renowned for its innovative approach: it features a science lab for children aged 0 to 6, and its curriculum integrates cutting-edge subjects such as blockchain, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence.

English remains the primary language throughout all grades, with preparation available for Cambridge exams (FCE, CAE, CPE).

Spanish and Catalan are introduced gradually from the Foundation Years, with increasing intensity in later grades. Graduates may take official exams to obtain Spanish Level C and Catalan Level C certifications.

French begins in Year 6, usually with 2 hours per week, and students can work toward the DELF B2 certification.

Additional language options include Chinese and German, with opportunities to pursue official certifications such as HSK, Goethe-Institut, and DELE.



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