Why choose an international school? The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle in London is a fine example of cultural inclusion with a strong anchoring in a national heritage. The benefits of a bilingual education have been repeatedly evidenced by numerous studies pointing to improved mental health, enhanced cognitive skills and amazing communication abilities opening up global opportunities. At international schools, the target is even more ambitious: multilingualism. When families are monolingual and sedentary, the most efficient way to achieve this is through school. When families are multilingual and mobile, the most efficient way to perfect multilingualism is through school. Multilingualism – At international schools, multilingualism is the norm. Within the school community, many nationalities and native tongues coexist, making up a rich cultural environment to grow up in. At these schools,
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languages are as much study topics as they are vehicles for informal communication. In London, the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle is a fine example of cultural inclusion with a strong anchoring in a national heritage. With its main setting located in a very French London area, it welcomes over 40 nationalities and delivers various curricula to its 3,450 pupils spread over 4 sites. As part of a global network of 552 French schools in 138 countries, the AEFE (Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger/ Agency for French Education Abroad, run by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), the Lycée offers a wide range of languages beyond French and English. Most pupils learn at least another one to choose among Spanish, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian and Ancient Greek or Latin.
