HONOUR FOR BILINGUAL UK SCHOOL
1st January, 2012
The idea has been imported from the Continent where pupils learn all subjects in bilingual classes
A REVOLUTIONARY scheme where children are taught in both French and English has won a school a prestigious award founded by Napoleon.
The idea has been imported from the Continent where pupils learn all subjects in bilingual classes. And it is claimed they end up speaking and writing English better than native British children.
The Ecole de Wix, part of Wix Primary School in Battersea, south London, received the Ordre des Palmes Academiques after teaching French and English youngsters in bilingual classes for the past six years, the first joint language school in the country.
It teamed up with Lycee Charles de Gaulle in South Kensington, London, enabling children to become fluent in French at an early age.
Marc Wolstencroft, head of Wix Primary School, and Paul-Marie Blanchard, director at Ecole de Wix, were awarded the order's chevalier grade by Laurent Burin des Roziers, cultural counsellor at the French Embassy.
The order was founded by Napoleon, who used it to honour eminent academics.Mr Wolstencroft said: “It was a terrifically proud moment for us and a formal recog- nition of the quality of the teamwork between the French and English teachers, Wandsworth Council and the French cultural attache who make the classes work so well.
“Our project is interesting not only for the high standards that the bilingual classes achieve, but also because it pro- vides a greater educational choice for parents, whoseem more than willing to embrace it, judging by our waiting lists. The success dispels the myth that as a nation we are inherently poor at languages. We just don’t do enough of it.
For more information please visit:
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/292874/Honour-for-bilingual-UK-school
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