The primary years are an important moment in a child’s life for linguistic development. At ISBrescia the language of instruction is English, providing native speakers of English ample opportunity to develop and enrich their command of their mother tongue through its use in various situations and for the exploration of different academic subjects. Students for whom English is an additional language benefit from the full immersion context, which gives them constant exposure and daily opportunities to engage in language learning, to develop their comprehension skills and slowly begin to build their confidence with the English language.
Students in Grades 1-4 are supported in the development of their English language skills with a weekly lesson following the Cambridge English language programmes to work intensively on the four skills involved in language learning: speaking, listening, reading and writing. For these lessons students are grouped according to ability, tested regularly, and given the opportunity to sit the Cambridge exam at the end of the summer term.
ISBrescia values its strong roots in the Italian community, and all students from Grade 1 to Grade 6 are supported in the development of their Italian language skills, whether this is as a native or additional language. More information on the Italian Programme in the PYP is provided here. From Grade 7 in the MYP students are also supported in the development of their Italian language skills and for those who choose to take the state exam we offer preparation for the “Terza media” exam which takes place throughout Grade 9.
Another language acquisition journey begins in Grade 5, as students are introduced to the Spanish language. Fun and creative lessons in the last two years of the PYP help students to pick up easily the basics of this language, which they will continue to learn in the MYP.
