FAQS

Yes, all those imparting German at Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) are native German-speaking teachers and early childhood educators. We believe that native speakers provide the best role models in language teaching.

Our Education Project at Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) is designed to guarantee that those students whose parents don't speak German and/or Spanish at home aren't negatively affected in the classroom. We respect each student's individual learning rhythm and we structure our German and Spanish classes so that students can work independently at home.

At Nursery and Preschool Education levels, German is integrated in the school's daily programmes and is introduced in all the subjects taught, with the exception of Swimming. This ensures that children gradually familiarise themselves with the language in a natural and efficient way, without this being an obstacle for their educational success.

Our priority is to offer all students an inclusive and effective learning atmosphere, regardless of their previous knowledge level of German or Spanish. We're here to support your child's integral educational and linguistic development.

At Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) we value the importance of offering quality education and enriching learning experiences for all our students. Nevertheless, it is essential to bear in mind that from 1. Klasse (1. Primary Education) onwards, students need to have basic notions of German and Spanish in order to be admitted in our organisation.

The purpose of this policy is to guarantee that students may take full part in the school curriculum and take full advantage of our educational offer. Having a command of German and Spanish at a basic level is essential for effective communication in the classroom, for understanding the different subjects and for students' integration in our community.

If your child has no knowledge of German or Spanish they will have to acquire these basic language skills before requesting admission to Zürich Schule Barcelona. These skills can be acquired through private lessons, courses or language immersion programmes paid for by applicant families. The Zürich Schule Barcelona's head team will recommend which method for learning German or Spanish is most appropriate in each case, and kindly requests that the families of future students follow the school's recommendations. To this effect, Zürich Schule Barcelona relies on the collaboration of experts in teaching languages to foreigners in order to facilitate their transition to our school and, once they have joined us, these experts offer linguistic support if necessary throughout the school year.

Before students join us, Zürich Schule Barcelona assesses the language skills they have acquired. In compliance with our protocol for integrating foreign students without previous knowledge of German or Spanish, those students who have not yet acquired the required language skills will have to complete their knowledge of German or Spanish receiving personalised lessons, paid for by their families.

Our objective is to offer all pupils a solid and enriching educational experience. If you should have any questions or need advice on how to prepare your child for joining our school in the future, please get in touch with our admissions team. We're here to help make admission to Zürich Schule Barcelona as easy as possible.

Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) is a small friendly school with a homely environment. It has one group per course to guarantee personal attention and a learning process focused on the individual needs of each student. On average, each group has approximately 22/24 students.

At Preschool, we have two early childhood educators per level, who are in charge of two groups of ten to twelve children in separate classrooms. At EI5 and in 1. Klasse, 2. Klasse and 3. Klasse of Primary Education, we practice co-teaching, which consists in having two teachers working together in the classroom and dividing the group into two smaller groups for specific tasks. Furthermore, once a week we organise mixed sessions in which we assemble pupils from EI5, 1. Klasse and 2. Klasse in small groups and subgroups to promote interaction and collaborative learning.

Our average school population is approximately three hundred students. We focus on personal attention and on creating a learning environment in which each student can flourish, both intellectually and personally.

Today's world of technology and communication has transformed media into a useful and necessary vehicle for the teaching and learning processes of our students and their development. In areas such as attention to diversity, students' motivation and the combined use of different methodologies make these a valuable tool for teachers, although we must bear in mind that the introduction of devices such as iPads in the school's daily activity implies ongoing training for teachers, students and their families.

Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) has published ’Estrategia Digital de Centro’ (EDC), a forward-looking carefully designed report that establishes how to use technology to improve academic results and promote the school’s social cohesion.

The study helps us determine how to take the maximum advantage of learning and knowledge technologies (LKT), enabling us to advance towards a school that is up to date with the latest technological tools.

At Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) we introduce English in 3. Klasse of Primary Education. This decision is based on research backed by the University of Barcelona that proves that by beginning to learn English at a later stage and devoting fewer weekly hours to the language, our students obtain better linguistic results in comparison with those who concentrate on English as a foreign language from an earlier age.

We sincerely believe that this methodology provides our pupils with a solid foundation in their mother tongue and, at the same time, allows them to effectively develop language skills in English as they progress in their education. Our intention is to offer students a balanced education that will favour both their competence in their main language and in English, preparing them to succeed in a globalised world.

If you should have any further questions regarding our approach to the teaching of English, or any other aspect of the education we provide, please let us know. We're here to provide information and assistance.

The school day at Zürich Schule Barcelona (ZSB) starts at 8.30 a.m. and runs to 4.30 p.m.

7. and 8. Klasse. Secondary Education students (1st and 2nd courses in the Spanish Compulsory Secondary Education Programme known as ESO) have one afternoon a week off to study.

9. and 10. Klasse. Secondary Education students (3rd and 4th courses in the Spanish Compulsory Secondary Education Programme known as ESO) have two afternoons a week off to study.

All Secondary Education teaching staff are available on study afternoons (when students can either stay at the school or go home) to answer any doubts they may have.

EI2 (KleinesZürich) pupils are offered flexible hours and can choose between three options:

• a) 8.45 a.m. to 12.00 noon (lunch not included)
• b) 8.45 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. (lunch and a nap included)
• c) 8.45 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (preferred option)

Zürch Schule Barcelona (ZSB) runs several routes around Barcelona, and a service that covers the Vallès area (Sant Cugat, Cerdanyola del Vallès, etc.).

We also offer a shuttle service that runs between the two ZSB sites. This service is free for those children with siblings whose classes are not held in the same building as theirs.