"In this world, humans only learn either by necessity or conviction."
- Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
Bilingualism
Connect, understand and feel... instead of just translating.
For us, language is a key to new worlds. Children not only learn to read, write and speak fluently in two languages, but also to think, feel and understand in two cultures. For us, bilingual teaching means creating connections, broadening perspectives and enabling new ideas. The children are naturally immersed in both languages - while playing, thinking, laughing and learning. This creates a learning environment that is lively, open-minded and full of possibilities.
If language is the limit of my thinking, multilingualism is a key to unlimited creativity.
Daily:
At the SOT, we are convinced that true bilingualism cannot be developed in rigid weekly schedules or fixed time slots. It has to be lived on a daily basis. That's why we communicate in German and English as a matter of course - in lessons, in play and in conversation. Our learning environment is not sometimes German, sometimes English, but bilingual throughout. In this way, language becomes a natural part of everyday life.
Of course:
A second language really becomes a second mother tongue when it is experienced in a natural, personal and intuitive way. At SOT, around half of the team is German-speaking and the other half English-speaking. Children are thus authentically exposed to both languages on a daily basis - and learn to think, feel and express themselves confidently in both. Translate? Not necessary. The languages are absorbed holistically - profoundly, sustainably and intuitively.
Immersive:
With us, children are completely immersed in the language - without unnecessary pressure, but with real presence. The immersive environment at SOT means that language is not only learned, it is experienced. Whether telling stories, asking questions, playing or researching - every everyday situation becomes an opportunity to experience language in a real context, to experience it and to enjoy learning it. In this way, language skills are not developed through memorization or translation, but through genuine understanding, connection and lively participation.