Bilingualism

Natural, everyday bilingualism

At Becoming schools, bilingualism is not just an educational choice: it is a core value. At YIES, it is part of everyday life: of relationships, routines and the very way we learn.

The children grow up in an environment where Italian and English coexist naturally, supported by native-speaking teachers and an integrated teaching approach that uses both languages as tools for communicating, thinking and learning.

Why bilingualism is valuable

Growing up in a bilingual school means using two languages every day, quite naturally. You don’t study a foreign language: you live in two languages. Children and young people use them fluently to communicate, play, solve problems, understand and process information.

Year after year, this daily practice builds solid skills that can be certified internationally.

Becoming Education works in partnership with Bilingualism Matters, an international research centre on bilingualism, to ensure an evidence-based approach.

The benefits of bilingualism

Superior logical skills Greater analytical and problem-solving abilities
Greater attention and concentration Switching between languages requires focus
Enhanced creativity A predisposition for divergent thinking and non-verbal creativity
Better-developed working memory Bilingual children find it easier to do mental arithmetic and to memorise instructions
Cultural openness and long-term benefits Recognising the diversity of viewpoints, an open-minded attitude towards the world’s cultures, and greater mental flexibility even in adulthood

The role of teachers

Our teachers — native Italian and native English speakers — take turns in the classroom, following a language exposure programme based on the latest international educational models.

Our native English-speaking teachers come from a variety of countries and bring with them international teaching experience, ensuring authentic exposure, natural pronunciation and a wealth of linguistic models.

They work alongside Italian teachers who are experts in bilingual environments and have a thorough understanding of how the bilingual mind works and how children learn languages.

Everyone works together, collaborating to design each educational programme, to create a coherent bilingual environment that is warm and welcoming, where language becomes an opportunity for connection and growth.

The importance of one’s mother tongue

The mother tongue is the foundation upon which all other language skills are built. Italian remains a stable and emotionally significant point of reference, whilst English is introduced as a tool for exploration, play and research, and as a vehicle for subject-specific content.

The transition between the two languages is gradual and supported by trained teachers. There is no competition between the languages: they reinforce one another. In fact, there is an interesting aspect to this: Italian, with its clear rules (it is read as it is written), acts as a springboard for learning English, which, by contrast, has more complex rules governing spelling and pronunciation.

IB Program/World School

YIES School is an IB World School.

“The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect.”

IB Program

PRESCHOOL

Balanced exposure: 50% Italian and 50% English.
English is integrated into everyday life in a dynamic, creative and playful way.

Children experience the English language in a natural way: through stories, games, songs and daily routines. Comprehension comes from experience, context and direct contact with a native-speaking teacher.

Daily exposure to the English language
Sensory, musical and narrative experiences
Initial insights without the pressure of production
Respect for each child’s pace and approach

Preschool

PRIMARY SCHOOL

English becomes a tool for learning: reading, writing, collaborating and presenting ideas. We use an immersive interdisciplinary model based on the ‘One Teacher – One Language’ approach.

Subjects and everyday activities are conducted in English where this supports learning. English thus becomes a language for interaction, not just for instruction.

Each activity is designed to help children understand, participate and communicate with increasing independence.

An Introduction to Reading and Writing in English
Science, art and the creative arts in English
Vocabulary and communication development
A gradual progression towards more complex tasks

Language Exposure

Grade	Exposure
1st-2nd Grade (Primary)	65% English – 35% Italian
3rd – 5th Grade (Primary)	50% Italian – 50% English
From 3rd Grade (Primary)	Introduction of Spanish

Primary school

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Bilingualism develops into advanced proficiency: students work on complex texts, oral presentations, research projects and the expansion of their academic vocabulary.

The YIES Middle School can be described as multilingual. Pupils study subjects in Italian and English, and Spanish is introduced from primary school.

More structured and interdisciplinary activities in English
Comprehension and production of complex texts
Presentations, debates and research papers

Middle school

Cambridge Certifications

Primary and Middle School pupils are prepared to sit the Cambridge English exams. These exams assess communication skills and offer international recognition.

Progressive courses tailored to age and ability
Materials and communication activities integrated into teaching
Development of confidence, independence and language skills

At YIES, pupils start in Year 2 as Young Learners and continue their journey through to Middle School, where they can achieve the FCE (First Certificate in English) level (B2/C1).

Cambridgeenglish.org

Frequently asked questions

01 Is YIES a bilingual school?

Yes, at YIES, bilingualism is not just an educational choice: it is a core value. It is part of everyday life: of relationships, routines, and the very way we learn. Children and young people grow up in an environment where Italian and English coexist naturally, using both languages as tools to communicate, think, and learn.

IB programme

02 What is the method used for language teaching?

YIES applies an integrated language teaching model where native Italian and English-speaking teachers co-design the educational paths.

In Preschool: We follow the “One Teacher – One Language” approach, with a balanced 50/50 exposure to both languages.
In Primary and Middle School: We adopt an immersive model where English is not just a subject but the vehicle for exploring science, art, mathematics, and literature. Our native English-speaking teachers come from various countries, ensuring authentic exposure, natural pronunciation, and a wealth of linguistic models.

03 How many hours or activities in English are provided?

Exposure to English is constant and structured to grow alongside the student:

Preschool: 50% of the school day.
Grade 1 (Primary): Exposure to English reaches 65%.
Grade 2 to Grade 5 (Primary): Exposure settles into a 50/50 balance between the two languages.

Middle School: English is present daily across various disciplines through interdisciplinary activities, workshops, debates, and research projects

04 Does a child need to already know English to start?

For Preschool, starting is stress-free as comprehension develops naturally from the context and experience, without pressure. Even at the Primary school level, previous knowledge is not required; languages are learned just like the mother tongue. Furthermore, YIES provides welcoming strategies such as peer tutoring to support those coming from international or non-bilingual backgrounds.

05 Is importance also given to the Italian language?

Absolutely. The mother tongue is the foundation upon which all other language skills are built; therefore, Italian remains a stable and emotionally significant point of reference. A solid competence in Italian is considered the necessary substrate for successfully developing multilingualism. In fact, the clear rules of Italian act as a “springboard,” facilitating the learning of the more complex structures of English.

06 Are other languages taught besides Italian and English?

Yes, starting from Grade 3 (Year 3) in Primary School, Spanish is introduced. The journey continues into Middle School, where students study subjects in three languages, consolidating an advanced multilingual profile.

07 Are international language certifications provided?

Yes, the YIES journey prepares students for Cambridge English Qualifications, with preparation integrated into the school timetable starting from Grade 2. The goal is to reach certified levels of competence up to FCE – First Certificate in English (B2/C1) by the end of Middle School. For Spanish, the DELE certification (B1/B2) is available as an option.

Start your journey at Yies

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