German is the normal language of instruction and training at general education schools as well as at vocational schools.
Exceptions exist only at certain privately-maintained schools (so called "Ergänzungsschulen"), e.g. at Bonn International School (BIS).
To reach more information, please visit Bonn International School (opens in a new tab)
Many german schools provide
- additional language instruction in German in order to facilitate learning for foreign pupils or
- native language tuition to strengthen the cultural identity of the pupils ( learn more (opens in a new tab))
Since 2003 English is taught as a regular subject at all primary schools in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW).
Annotation: In 2003 English tuition at primary schools started from grade 3. Children who have started primary school between 01.08.2008 and 31.07.2021 already have received English lessons from the second half of grade 1. Children who have started primary school since 1st August 2021 receive English lessons again from grade 3. The total amount of time spent teaching English and the expected qualification level at the end of grade 4 remain unchanged.
Besides in Bonn there are primary schools which set foreign languages or bilingual emphases:
- Bonn’s oldest international school, the Independent Bonn International School (IBIS), is an accredited Ersatzschule at the primary level and follows the British curriculum.
- Erich Kästner Schule, a German community primary school, sets an increased focus on English: Beyond 2021 English elements are included in everyday school life from grade 1 onwards. And in addition to regular lessons each class receive one more hour of English-tuition per week.
- École Française de Gaulle-Adenauer is an accredited Ersatzschule at the primary level with École maternelle (Kindergarten - institutionalised pre-school education), levels PS, MS, GS for two to five-year-olds and École primaire (primary school), levels CP, CE 1, CE 2, CM 1, CM 2 for six to ten-year-olds.
- Stiftsschule, a German community primary school, sets a bilingual German-Spanish focus (since school year 2006/2007).
On transition to lower secondary level, foreign language learning connects with sound competences acquired in the primary sector and continuously expands on them. English is a mandatory subject at all schools.
Pupils aiming the German Abitur must learn a second foreign language (e.g. French, Spanish, Latin).
Bilingual offers
German Abitur and internationally recognized examination
For further information/educational counselling, please contact the following helpdesks:
Helpdesk for school-age children and teenagers with insufficient command of German provided by the School Supervisory Authority for the City of Bonn
Sankt Augustiner Straße 86
53225 Bonn (Beuel)
Room No 4.08
Phone 0228 775784
E-mail: ifkbonnde
https://www.bonn.de/ifk (opens in a new tab) (information in English and German)
City of Bonn
School Department – Education Counselling Service (Bildungsberatungsstelle)
Sankt Augustiner Straße 86
53225 Bonn (Beuel)
Room No. 1.07, Ms. Pias (communication in German)
Phone: 0228 774384
Room No. 1.08, Ms. Eßer (communication in German)
Phone: 0228 774169
Service time by phone:
Monday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Please note:
For the initial contact and if you wish a face-to-face consultation it is necessary to formulate your request beforehand using the Contact online form (opens in a new tab) (only in German).
For a face-to-face consultation, you must also make an appointment with us.
Counselling sessions take place in German. If you are not able to communicate in this language, you should call in a person of confidence to interpret.