École européenne de Strasbourg
École européenne de Strasbourg

English at the ESS

  • L1 English

    At the European School of Strasbourg (EES), we are fortunate to be part of community that highly values the use of English both culturally and professionally. The teaching of L1 has a special importance at the EES. The curriculum is a vital means of establishing and confirming the pupil’s linguistic and cultural identity, thereby providing a foundation for engagement with other subjects, notably other languages and cultures. Our curriculum focuses on English literature and reflects the experience of diversity which contributes to an individual’s sense of cultural identity. The European School’s syllabus (a link is provided below) reflects these aforementioned values. The curriculum endeavours to:

    • develop pupils’ abilities to communicate effectively in speech and writing and to listen and respond with sensitivity and understanding;
    • encourage pupils to be enthusiastic, responsive, critical and knowledgeable readers;
    • assist pupils’ development when transferring these skills to other learning contexts;
    • enrich pupils’ lives by introducing them to experiences beyond those encountered in their daily lives, and contribute to their personal and social development;
    • enable pupils to express themselves precisely, creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.

    In addition, to the regular curriculum, students in the English program are afforded the opportunity to an L1 Advanced course in the final two years of their Baccalaureate. This enriches students’ knowledge of literature, further develops their critical and analytical skills, and initiates their journey towards post-secondary education.

    To deepen the students’ engagement with the language, EES offers a series of varying co-curricular activities. In a given year, these projects may include:

    • a literary and cultural trip to London tailored to the syllabus;
    • Poetry Night: An evening of dramatized poetry reading;
    • Shakespearience: the Shakespeare festival;
    • The Spelling Bee Competition in partnership with the American Library in Karlsruhe;
    • Creative Writing Workshop leading to the annual SXB Strasbourg Write A Short Story Competition;
    • Drama Club;
    • Debating;
    • Library Club;
    • Attending cultural events such as National Theatre Live;
    • English speaking events such as live theatre and author’s readings.

    The end result of the curriculum and our varied co-curricular activities lead the students down the road to post-secondary education. The encouraging rate of acceptance into some of the most renowned universities across the globe clearly reflects the effectiveness of the English program. We are proud to create independent, lifelong learners who quench their thirst for knowledge through the critical thinking skills attained at the European School of Strasbourg.

  • L2 English

    The study of L2 begins in the Primary Year 1 and remains compulsory for all secondary students from Secondary Year 1 to Year 7. In Secondary Year 6 and 7, students can choose to follow the L2 Advanced course. (Please see below for further details)

    The learning objectives in Secondary Cycle 1 are based on five years of continuous study of the language in the Primary Cycle. The objectives for the Baccalaureate are based on 12 years of continuous study (three periods per week in Years 6 and 7). The learning objectives are benchmarked against the reference levels of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

    The CEFR also allows for intermediate levels, defined as A1+, A2+ etc. By the end of the Primary Cycle, the learning objectives correspond to level A2. In the Secondary Cycle the correspondence is as follows:

    Cycle Attainment level

    • 1st cycle S1+2+3: Level B 1
    • 2nd cycle S4+5: Level B 2
    • 3rd cycle S6+7* (L II advanced): Level C 1 *C 1+

    Content

    Cycle 1 (S1-S3)

    Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in the Primary Cycle students should, by the end of cycle 1, have acquired:

    • adequate knowledge of pronunciation and intonation, and consolidated spelling rules;
    • a range of vocabulary and idiomatic phrases;
    • some knowledge of simple word patterns and grammatical structures;
    • knowledge of different resources and tools, especially ICT, for processing and applying information, with support when necessary;
    • knowledge of the culture of target language countries/communities including exposure to literary texts;
    • a range of language learning strategies and tools to evaluate his/her own learning.

    Cycle 2 (S4-S5)

    Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in cycle 1 students should, by the end of the 2nd cycle, have acquired:

    • knowledge of different registers of language adapted for given audiences and purposes;
    • a wide range of concrete and abstract vocabulary;
    • knowledge of word patterns and complex grammatical structures;
    • strategies for more independent research, using a range of resources, especially ICT;
    • deeper knowledge of the culture of target language countries/communities including exposure to literary texts;
    • more independent learning strategies and an ability to evaluate his/her own learning.

    Cycle 3 (S6-S7)

    Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in cycle 2 students should , by the end of the 3nd cycle, have acquired:

    • a thorough and precise knowledge of language resources adapted for the majority of communicative situations;
    • an extended range of concrete and abstract vocabulary adapted for the majority of communicative situations;
    • a deeper knowledge of complex grammatical structures;
    • autonomous use of the majority of resources;
    • insight into the culture of target language countries/communities especially through the study of literary texts;
    • independent learning strategies and an ability to evaluate his/her own learning.

    L2 Advanced English (S6 & S7)

    L2 Advanced English is a challenging three-period option choice in S6 and S7 for those students interested in fine-tuning their close-reading and analytical skills. Texts studied are taken from a wide variety of sources: anything from the English Literary Heritage to post-modern fiction, from early periodicals to the most recent online debates. In S6, students will conduct research and present their findings in a creative way. The L2 Advanced course is demanding and engaging and anyone who enjoys reading and discussing topics in depth will appreciate the preparation for university studies.

    To deepen the students’ engagement with the language, the EES offers a series of varying co-curricular activities. In a given year, these projects may include:

    • formal exchanges with other European schools during the academic year;
    • personal exchanges with families in the UK and Ireland;
    • cross curricular projects with Human Science in S3;
    • Poetry Night: an evening of dramatized poetry reading;
    • Shakespearience: the Shakespeare festival;
    • The Spelling Bee Competition in partnership with the American Library in Karlsruhe;
    • Creative Writing Workshop leading to the annual SXB Strasbourg Write A Short Story Competition;
    • Drama Club;
    • Debating;
    • Attending cultural events such as National Theatre Live;
    • English speaking events such as live theatre and author’s readings.
  • L3 English

    The study of an L3, ab initio, is compulsory for all secondary students from Year 1 to Year 5 and optional in Years 6 and 7. Students may choose between French, German, English, and Spanish as their L3, but the language chosen must be different from those studied as L1 and L2.

    The learning objectives up to the end of Year 5 are based on five years (two periods per week in Year 1 and three periods per week in Years 2 to 5) of continuous study of the language, and the objectives for the Baccalaureate are based on seven years of continuous study (four periods per week in Years 6 and 7).

    The learning objectives are benchmarked against the reference levels of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR also allows for intermediate levels, defined as A1+, A2+ etc:

    Cycle Attainment level

    • 1st cycle S1 – S3: Level A1+
    • 2nd cycle S4+S5: Level A2+
    • 3rd cycle S6+S7: Level B1+

    For the learning and teaching of foreign languages in the system of the European Schools reference is made to the following CEFR benchmarks:

    • L2: C1
    • L3: B1+
    • L4: A2+

    English is a language that can take just a few hours to acquire but a lifetime to master. Many pupils arrive in the L3 classes at the beginning of the Secondary cycle with a solid knowledge of at least two European languages (usually French and German) due to the geographic location of Strasbourg and their experience of L2 classes in the primary cycle. They may also have picked up a certain amount of English through regular contact with music, films and the internet, and are encouraged, no matter their starting level in S1, to build a strong basis in the third language in the lower cycles. Students are encouraged to broaden their vocabulary through extensive reading and by taking part in a number of cultural events organised by the English department during the course of each academic year.

At the European School of Strasbourg (EES), we are fortunate to be part of community that highly values the use of English both culturally and professionally. The teaching of L1 has a special importance at the EES. The curriculum is a vital means of establishing and confirming the pupil’s linguistic and cultural identity, thereby providing a foundation for engagement with other subjects, notably other languages and cultures. Our curriculum focuses on English literature and reflects the experience of diversity which contributes to an individual’s sense of cultural identity. The European School’s syllabus (a link is provided below) reflects these aforementioned values. The curriculum endeavours to:

  • develop pupils’ abilities to communicate effectively in speech and writing and to listen and respond with sensitivity and understanding;
  • encourage pupils to be enthusiastic, responsive, critical and knowledgeable readers;
  • assist pupils’ development when transferring these skills to other learning contexts;
  • enrich pupils’ lives by introducing them to experiences beyond those encountered in their daily lives, and contribute to their personal and social development;
  • enable pupils to express themselves precisely, creatively and imaginatively and to communicate with others confidently and effectively.

In addition, to the regular curriculum, students in the English program are afforded the opportunity to an L1 Advanced course in the final two years of their Baccalaureate. This enriches students’ knowledge of literature, further develops their critical and analytical skills, and initiates their journey towards post-secondary education.

To deepen the students’ engagement with the language, EES offers a series of varying co-curricular activities. In a given year, these projects may include:

  • a literary and cultural trip to London tailored to the syllabus;
  • Poetry Night: An evening of dramatized poetry reading;
  • Shakespearience: the Shakespeare festival;
  • The Spelling Bee Competition in partnership with the American Library in Karlsruhe;
  • Creative Writing Workshop leading to the annual SXB Strasbourg Write A Short Story Competition;
  • Drama Club;
  • Debating;
  • Library Club;
  • Attending cultural events such as National Theatre Live;
  • English speaking events such as live theatre and author’s readings.

The end result of the curriculum and our varied co-curricular activities lead the students down the road to post-secondary education. The encouraging rate of acceptance into some of the most renowned universities across the globe clearly reflects the effectiveness of the English program. We are proud to create independent, lifelong learners who quench their thirst for knowledge through the critical thinking skills attained at the European School of Strasbourg.

The study of L2 begins in the Primary Year 1 and remains compulsory for all secondary students from Secondary Year 1 to Year 7. In Secondary Year 6 and 7, students can choose to follow the L2 Advanced course. (Please see below for further details)

The learning objectives in Secondary Cycle 1 are based on five years of continuous study of the language in the Primary Cycle. The objectives for the Baccalaureate are based on 12 years of continuous study (three periods per week in Years 6 and 7). The learning objectives are benchmarked against the reference levels of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The CEFR also allows for intermediate levels, defined as A1+, A2+ etc. By the end of the Primary Cycle, the learning objectives correspond to level A2. In the Secondary Cycle the correspondence is as follows:

Cycle Attainment level

  • 1st cycle S1+2+3: Level B 1
  • 2nd cycle S4+5: Level B 2
  • 3rd cycle S6+7* (L II advanced): Level C 1 *C 1+

Content

Cycle 1 (S1-S3)

Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in the Primary Cycle students should, by the end of cycle 1, have acquired:

  • adequate knowledge of pronunciation and intonation, and consolidated spelling rules;
  • a range of vocabulary and idiomatic phrases;
  • some knowledge of simple word patterns and grammatical structures;
  • knowledge of different resources and tools, especially ICT, for processing and applying information, with support when necessary;
  • knowledge of the culture of target language countries/communities including exposure to literary texts;
  • a range of language learning strategies and tools to evaluate his/her own learning.

Cycle 2 (S4-S5)

Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in cycle 1 students should, by the end of the 2nd cycle, have acquired:

  • knowledge of different registers of language adapted for given audiences and purposes;
  • a wide range of concrete and abstract vocabulary;
  • knowledge of word patterns and complex grammatical structures;
  • strategies for more independent research, using a range of resources, especially ICT;
  • deeper knowledge of the culture of target language countries/communities including exposure to literary texts;
  • more independent learning strategies and an ability to evaluate his/her own learning.

Cycle 3 (S6-S7)

Building on the knowledge and skills already gained in cycle 2 students should , by the end of the 3nd cycle, have acquired:

  • a thorough and precise knowledge of language resources adapted for the majority of communicative situations;
  • an extended range of concrete and abstract vocabulary adapted for the majority of communicative situations;
  • a deeper knowledge of complex grammatical structures;
  • autonomous use of the majority of resources;
  • insight into the culture of target language countries/communities especially through the study of literary texts;
  • independent learning strategies and an ability to evaluate his/her own learning.

L2 Advanced English (S6 & S7)

L2 Advanced English is a challenging three-period option choice in S6 and S7 for those students interested in fine-tuning their close-reading and analytical skills. Texts studied are taken from a wide variety of sources: anything from the English Literary Heritage to post-modern fiction, from early periodicals to the most recent online debates. In S6, students will conduct research and present their findings in a creative way. The L2 Advanced course is demanding and engaging and anyone who enjoys reading and discussing topics in depth will appreciate the preparation for university studies.

To deepen the students’ engagement with the language, the EES offers a series of varying co-curricular activities. In a given year, these projects may include:

  • formal exchanges with other European schools during the academic year;
  • personal exchanges with families in the UK and Ireland;
  • cross curricular projects with Human Science in S3;
  • Poetry Night: an evening of dramatized poetry reading;
  • Shakespearience: the Shakespeare festival;
  • The Spelling Bee Competition in partnership with the American Library in Karlsruhe;
  • Creative Writing Workshop leading to the annual SXB Strasbourg Write A Short Story Competition;
  • Drama Club;
  • Debating;
  • Attending cultural events such as National Theatre Live;
  • English speaking events such as live theatre and author’s readings.

The study of an L3, ab initio, is compulsory for all secondary students from Year 1 to Year 5 and optional in Years 6 and 7. Students may choose between French, German, English, and Spanish as their L3, but the language chosen must be different from those studied as L1 and L2.

The learning objectives up to the end of Year 5 are based on five years (two periods per week in Year 1 and three periods per week in Years 2 to 5) of continuous study of the language, and the objectives for the Baccalaureate are based on seven years of continuous study (four periods per week in Years 6 and 7).

The learning objectives are benchmarked against the reference levels of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The CEFR also allows for intermediate levels, defined as A1+, A2+ etc:

Cycle Attainment level

  • 1st cycle S1 – S3: Level A1+
  • 2nd cycle S4+S5: Level A2+
  • 3rd cycle S6+S7: Level B1+

For the learning and teaching of foreign languages in the system of the European Schools reference is made to the following CEFR benchmarks:

  • L2: C1
  • L3: B1+
  • L4: A2+

English is a language that can take just a few hours to acquire but a lifetime to master. Many pupils arrive in the L3 classes at the beginning of the Secondary cycle with a solid knowledge of at least two European languages (usually French and German) due to the geographic location of Strasbourg and their experience of L2 classes in the primary cycle. They may also have picked up a certain amount of English through regular contact with music, films and the internet, and are encouraged, no matter their starting level in S1, to build a strong basis in the third language in the lower cycles. Students are encouraged to broaden their vocabulary through extensive reading and by taking part in a number of cultural events organised by the English department during the course of each academic year.