In the school year 2021/2022, we introduced a bilingual English program at the OHG. We are very pleased to offer students the opportunity to not only learn the foreign language English in designated lessons but also to apply it in bilingual subjects.
In the "bilingual education program," students can explain, for example, the nutrient cycle in the tropical rainforest or the American Revolution in English. Lessons in selected subjects starting from grade 7 – such as Geography, History, and Biology – are conducted in English. After the two-year English preparatory course in grades 5 and 6, this usually poses no difficulties for the students.
The preparatory course always begins at the start of the school year in September and includes one additional lesson per week. In grade 6, the preparatory course then consists of two school hours throughout the entire school year. The foundations are laid in the preparatory course to enable students to tackle the subject Geography in English from grade 7, meaning that English technical terms related to various topics are introduced in an illustrative manner. The children learn how to describe maps and images in English, analyze graphics, and narrate historical events, to name just a few examples.
The bilingual offering is initially open to all interested students who find learning generally easy and can adjust to the additional effort. At the end of grade 5, a final decision is made regarding admission to the bilingual program starting in grade 6.
Every year, we provide detailed information about the bilingual program and its structure at our open house day and are also available for personal inquiries.