01/2016

With the immersion method, children pick up languages automatically - without the stress of vocabulary lists. But what exactly does it mean to learn a language immersively? Learn all about this method of teaching a second language in our key topic.
  • Soaking up language

    Yared Dibaba is not only a multitalented artist, but a multitalented linguist, too. Born in Ethiopia, he plunged into the German language and culture at the age of four – and learnt German via immersion. He is a fan of ‘Plattdeutsch’ and speaks not only German and English, but also Oromo, Swahili, Amharic and French
    PHOTO: OLIVER REETZ | 2016/1
  • Immersion in induction classes

    In special classes, refugee children learn German until they are able to keep up in normal lessons. The immersion method is used, so that they fully absorb the language
    AUTHOR: IRIS RÖLL | PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | 2016/1
  • ‘Voilà, je parle français’

    People who have not spent an extended period abroad or grown up in a multilingual family can still immerse themselves in a language thanks to special educational trips
    PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | | 2016/1
  • Soak up language every day with Phorms

    With the immersion method, children pick up languages automatically – without the stress of vocabulary lists. In the Phorms nurseries and reception classes, children always have contact with one English-speaking and one German-speaking teacher on a day-to-day basis. At primary school, four subjects are taught in English and, at secondary school, the students can choose international qualifications in addition to the German Abitur. In addition, all Phorms schools cover regional differences in their curricula. Phorms teachers from Berlin Süd, Hamburg and Frankfurt offer a glimpse behind the scenes at our schools.
    PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | 2016/1
  • Children at bilingual schools – Tips on how to best support your child

    It’s an exciting time in the field of language education: bilingual immersion education is a model that can assist schools in realising children’s multilingual potential. But what exactly is an immersion programme, how can I help as a parent and what does it mean for my child? Helena Curtain, an expert in language and immersion education, answers some important questions regarding immersion programmes
    AUTHOR: HELENA CURTAIN | PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | 2016/1
  • Bilingual people have a more rounded perspective

    Multilingualism helps develop tolerance for people with different languages and cultures. Professor Matthias Hutz on intercultural skills in connection with the immersion method
    AUTHOR: MATTHIAS HUTZ | PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | 2016/1
  • Eco-friendly playground at the Phorms Campus Berlin Süd

    A new playground with an original concept for the primary school in Berlin Süd
    PHOTOS: PHORMS | 2016/1
  • Phorms wants the best teachers

    A look back at the 2015 'Phormative' educational conference
    PHOTO: THOMAS GRUNDWALD | 2016/1
  • Phorms supports new bilingual subject ‘PolECule’

    The Goethe University Frankfurt, together with Phorms Taunus Campus, plans to develop a curriculum for an innovative bilingual German–English subject called ‘Politics, Economics and Culture’
    PHOTOS: PHORMS | 2016/1
  • New Secondary School at the bilingual Josef-Schwarz-Schule

    Read more about the new school in Erlenbach
    PHOTOS: PHORMS | 2016/1
  • It's hard to be a refugee

    Paula from Phorms Campus München describes with a poem the day-to-day life of refugees
    PAULA, YEAR 9, PHORMS CAMPUS MÜNCHEN | 2016/1
  • A school day in Rwanda

    Looking to the wider world with: Pauline Bakashaza, 19 years old, Grade 12 , from Kigali, Rwanda
    AUTHOR AND PHOTO: JULIA JAKI | 2016/1
  • What is the secret to good teaching?

    Professor Andreas Gold explains what teachers can do to help children learn effectively
    PHOTO: SILKE WEINSHEIMER | 2016/1
  • Playing with language

    Yolo’, ‘swag’ and ‘Du bist der Babo’ are all examples of german youth slang. But is youth slang really a language in its own right? And how is language changing? Non-fiction author Nikolaus Nützel is someone who has looked more closely at the issue than most. He was invited to Phorms Campus Hamburg as part of the city’s Seiteneinsteiger literature festival
    PHOTO: LISA JOHANNA THIELE | 2016/1