School Structure

The idea of European School was launched on 12. April 1957 with the original objective, to educate the children of EU officials in their native language. As for all EU Member States, the controlled institution (sui generis), should convey values of openness, tolerance and democracy to all students and provide an internationally recognized qualification.

All official languages of the EU Member States are represented in the European Schools. Therefore the students mother tongue remains their first language throughout schooling. Subjects and the curriculum are taught in every language section and all European schools are harmonised, making the school qualification in all EU countries fully recognised, providing graduates with the opportunity of admission to universities worldwide.

Today there are 14 European schools at sites of EU institutions across Europe

The subjects are taught in the official languages of the European Union. The mother tongue of students remains the first language throughout schooling.

Therefore there are three different language sections at the European School Karlsruhe: German, English and French. The syllabuses in all the language sections are (with the exception of the mother tongue) identical.

For school children without a language department (SWALS - Students Without a Language Section), lessons in their mother tongue are guaranteed. In addition, a specific syllabus for the language of the division that these pupils attend, has been set up to support their integration and to allow as quickly as possible, understanding of lessons.

Multi-cultural education

To foster the unity of the school and encourage genuine multi-cultural education, there is a strong emphasis on the learning, understanding and use of foreign languages. In order to achieve this goal there are a variety of ways:

• The study of a first foreign language (German, English, or French, known as L II), is compulsory throughout the school, from the first primary class to the Baccalaureate.
• All students must study a second foreign language (L III), starting in the second year of secondary school.
• From the fourth class of secondary school students may choose to study a third foreign language (L IV).
• Language classes are composed of mixed nationalities and are taught by native speakers
• In the primary school a weekly "European Hour" brings children together from all language sections for cultural, artistic and games activities.
• In the secondary school, classes in art, music and physical education are always composed of mixed language sections.
• From the third class of secondary school, history and geography are studied in the student’s first foreign language, (German, English, or French) also called “the working language”.

Finally, everyday interaction in the playground, the corridors and the recreation rooms enhances the acquisition of other languages and the realisation that using them is not only vital but natural.