Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. At Four Forest Schools in Zug and Lucerne, bilingual learning is at the heart of our approach. For more than 17 years, we have helped children build strong academic foundations in both English and German, preparing them for success in Switzerland and beyond.

A Structured Path to Bilingualism
At Four Forest School, bilingual learning is carefully structured so that children build balanced fluency in both English and German while progressing confidently through the curriculum. The approach adapts as children grow:
  • Preschool and 1KG – Children alternate between full days in Swiss German and full days in English. This rhythm gives them stability while introducing a second language in a natural, age-appropriate way.
  • 2KG to Grade 6 – Instruction alternates by week: one full week in High German, followed by one full week in English. This model allows for deeper immersion in each language and helps children consolidate their learning without the distraction of frequent switching.
The bilingual structure applies across the curriculum:
  • Mathematics follows the Cantonal workbooks required under Lehrplan 21 and is taught in both languages.
  • Science and other subjects are divided across the two languages. For example, a class may study frogs during an English week and volcanoes during a German week. In this way, children acquire subject knowledge while also developing the technical vocabulary they need in both English and German.
By the end of primary school, pupils are able to explain complex ideas — from solving equations in English to describing ecosystems in German — preparing them equally well for Swiss and international educational pathways.

Supporting Children Every Step of the Way
Many children arrive at Four Forest fluent in only one language. Our experienced language support team works alongside class teachers to provide tailored guidance. Support includes:
  • Small-group and individual sessions during the school day.
  • Vocabulary-building through word walls, word books, and games.
  • Structured learning aids for home, such as key-word cards and reading lists.
  • Peer-to-peer support through class buddies and our Young Interpreters Programme, where older students help newcomers in their new language.
A recent example illustrates this well: two German-speaking students joined in Grades 1 and 2 without any English. Within six months of immersion, personalised support, and family collaboration, both were confidently conversing in English — even using it on a trip abroad.

Benefits That Last a Lifetime
Research consistently demonstrates that bilingual children do more than master two languages; they gain cognitive and social advantages that support lifelong learning.
  • Cognitive flexibility: Switching between “twenty-one” and einundzwanzig trains the brain to think in multiple frameworks.
  • Problem-solving: Managing two language systems sharpens analytical and critical thinking.
  • Memory and focus: Regular “mental switching” strengthens working memory and attention.
  • Empathy and adaptability: Navigating cultural references in both languages fosters openness, understanding, and resilience.
As Executive Principal James Stenning explains, “Bilingual learning works like mental gymnastics. It builds memory, adaptability, and creativity—skills that extend far beyond language and benefit every subject."

Building Identity and Community
At Four Forest, language is also a bridge to culture. Learning in both English and German allows children to move confidently between different perspectives and traditions. This adaptability builds resilience, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging in a diverse community.

Our families include both Swiss German-speaking households and international parents. To ensure all parents are included in their child’s educational journey, we provide translation assistance for communication, encourage peer support, and create opportunities for engagement across languages.

Curriculum Alignment with Lehrplan 21
All lessons are planned to align with Lehrplan 21. German weeks focus on German language instruction, English weeks on English, while maths, sciences, and other subjects are carefully structured to cover requirements in both languages. This dual delivery ensures that children can transition smoothly into either Swiss or international educational pathways after graduation at the end of Grade 6.

What Parents Value Most
Four Forest parents highlight three things in terms of what they value most:

1.     The gift of bilingualism – giving children two languages that open doors for life.
2.     A supportive, nurturing environment – where teachers, language specialists, and peers work together to help every child succeed.
3.     Strong academic and personal growth – students leave our primary programme with solid foundations in both languages, ready for the challenges of secondary education in Switzerland or abroad.

Preparing Children for a Global Future
Bilingual education at Four Forest equips students not only with strong academic foundations but also with skills that are increasingly vital in today’s interconnected world: problem-solving, adaptability, cultural understanding, and empathy.

For more than 17 years, our schools have provided this gift of bilingualism — a preparation not only for school, but for life.