English and German at ISR: How Children Learn Both Languages
As of October 2026
Short answer
At ISR International School on the Rhine, English is the language of instruction from Kindergarten through Grade 12, and every student learns German. German is taught in two tracks, one for native speakers and one for German as a foreign language, aligned with the public school curriculum of North Rhine-Westphalia; it is compulsory through Grade 10. Children who are still learning English receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support until they can follow the regular English program.
From Grade 6, students add a third language. In the IB Diploma Programme, students can take two languages at first-language level: 59% of ISR's Class of 2026 earned a bilingual IB Diploma.
- EnglishLanguage of instruction, Kindergarten through Grade 12
- GermanFor every student, in two tracks
- Grade 6A third language begins
- 59%Bilingual IB Diplomas, Class of 2026
Languages at Each Stage
| Stage | English | German | Further languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten (from age 3, Neuss and Düsseldorf) | Structured pre-school program taught in English by native speakers | Daily German lessons with native-speaker teachers | – |
| Elementary School (Grades 1–6, Neuss; Düsseldorf from August 2027) | Native-level English program, or English as an Additional Language (EAL) in three levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference (A1, A2, B1) | Core subject for every child, in two tracks: German for native speakers or German as a foreign language; aligned with the NRW public school curriculum; Antolin reading program | From Grade 6: French or Spanish (from beginner level), or Japanese or Chinese for native speakers |
| Secondary School (Grades 7–10) | Grades 7–9: Literature, Language, Transitional English or Intensive English; Grade 10: Literature or Language (with IGCSE preparation) or Transitional English | Native-speaker course with German literature from Grade 7, or German as a foreign language at the student's level; compulsory through Grade 10 | Third language continues; DELF (French) or DELE (Spanish) diplomas possible; Turkish as a mother-tongue course from Grade 9 (from 2026–27) |
| IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12) | English as Language A or Language B | German as Language A or Language B, depending on the student's IB language pathway | Language A: English, German, Japanese, Chinese; Language B: English, German, French, Spanish; Chinese B from 2027–28 (subject to sufficient interest); French and Spanish ab initio |
Sources: Elementary School curriculum, Secondary School curriculum and IB Diploma Programme. ISR Kindergarten Meerbusch is a German-language kindergarten with a bilingual program.
Examples by Age and Grade
Age 4: a child who speaks Japanese at home joins ISR Kindergarten Düsseldorf
She learns through a structured pre-school program in English, taught by native speakers, and has a German lesson every day. She has a guaranteed place in Grade 1 at ISR Elementary School, where her English and German levels are set individually.
Grade 2: a seven-year-old moves from a school in London and speaks no German
He joins the native-level English program and starts German as a foreign language in his first week. Students who are new to German typically use it confidently after several years in the ISR German program. Like all Elementary School students, he takes part in German traditions such as the first day of school with a Schultüte and St. Martin's Day.
Grade 5: a ten-year-old from a German Grundschule speaks little English
She joins the German native-speaker track, which is aligned with the NRW curriculum, and receives English as an Additional Language support at her level until she can follow the regular English program. In Grade 6, she adds a third language.
Grade 8: a thirteen-year-old arrives from an American school
He takes English Literature or English Language, learns German as a foreign language at his level, and joins a third-language class that fits his level. In Grades 9 and 10, he prepares for Cambridge IGCSE examinations, including English.
Grade 11: a bilingual German-English student enters the IB Diploma Programme
She can take both English and German as Language A. Students who complete two Language A courses, or who take a subject such as History or Biology in a language other than their Language A, can earn a bilingual IB Diploma. Taking English and German as Language A also meets the KMK's two-language requirement for recognition in Germany.
These examples show typical paths. ISR decides each student's grade and language levels individually, based on age, school records and the knowledge check.
How ISR Decides Language Levels
Knowledge check, placement and progress
- Applicants take an age-appropriate knowledge check, generally in English and Mathematics and, where applicable, German. For the Elementary School, it is followed by a short conversation with the child.
- Applicants for Grades 10 and 11 also complete assessments in a social science and a science subject and, where applicable, in a third language.
- The results decide the English and German levels a child joins. Teachers review progress regularly, and students move into the regular English program as soon as they can follow it independently.
- For families who are still abroad, knowledge checks can take place online.
Details: Admissions.
English and German at ISR: Frequently Asked Questions
Is ISR an English-speaking or a bilingual school?
ISR International School on the Rhine is an English-language international school: lessons are taught in English from Kindergarten through Grade 12. German is taught to every student as a subject, in a native-speaker track or as a foreign language, so students grow up with both languages.
Further information
ISR Kindergarten Meerbusch is the exception: it is a German-language kindergarten with a bilingual program. An overview of all locations is on ISR in Numbers.
Does my child need to speak English to join ISR?
No. Children who are still learning English receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. In the Elementary School, EAL is taught in three levels based on the Common European Framework of Reference (A1, A2, B1); in Grades 7 to 9, Transitional and Intensive English courses, and in Grade 10 Transitional English, support students until they can follow the regular program.
Further information
The level of support is decided after the knowledge check and reviewed regularly. Expectations depend on the child's age and intended grade.
Does my child need to speak German to join ISR?
No. Many ISR students start without any German. They learn German as a foreign language at their level, while native speakers follow a separate German track. German is compulsory for every student through Grade 10.
Further information
Students who are new to German typically use it confidently after several years in the ISR German program. More in the Elementary School curriculum.
Can native German speakers keep up their German at ISR?
Yes. Native speakers follow a German track aligned with the public school curriculum of North Rhine-Westphalia, with German literature from Grade 7 through Grade 12. In the IB Diploma Programme, they can take German as Language A.
Further information
With the subject combination required by the KMK, the IB Diploma is recognized in Germany as a general university entrance qualification (allgemeine Hochschulreife). Details: German University Qualification with the IB Diploma.
Which third languages can students learn at ISR?
From Grade 6, students choose French or Spanish, both starting at beginner level, or Japanese or Chinese if they are native speakers. From the 2026–27 academic year, Turkish is offered as a mother-tongue course from Grade 9.
Further information
In the IB Diploma Programme, French and Spanish are also offered at ab initio level, and Chinese B is planned from the 2027–28 academic year, subject to sufficient student interest.
What is a bilingual IB Diploma?
The International Baccalaureate awards a bilingual IB Diploma to students who, for example, complete two Language A courses, or who take a subject in Individuals and Societies or Sciences in a language other than their Language A. At ISR, 59% of the Class of 2026 earned a bilingual IB Diploma.
Further information
All results of the Class of 2026 are on Paths to University.
Is there support for Japanese-speaking families?
Yes. ISR has a Japanese Desk in the Admissions Team, offers Japanese for native speakers from Grade 6 and Japanese as Language A in the IB Diploma Programme.
Further information
Contact: Yuiko Tsumura, Admissions, Japanese Desk, +49 (0)2131 40388-28. More on the Admissions page.
Sources and Updates
- ISR curriculum pages: Elementary School curriculum, Secondary School curriculum, IB Diploma Programme.
- Bilingual IB Diploma rate: ISR Class of 2026, see Paths to University.
- Recognition of the IB Diploma in Germany: KMK agreement on the recognition of the IB Diploma (as amended on June 15, 2023).
- Course offerings can change between academic years; families should confirm the current offering with the Admissions Team. Last updated: October 21, 2026.
Questions about languages at ISR? Contact ISR at +49 (0)2131 40388-0 or info@isr-school.de, or the ISR Admissions Team at admissions@isr-school.de.
