At Institut Montana learning and studying languages is promoted both in an academic and social setting, as students and staff from over 40 nations come into contact with each other. We have a tradition of bringing people from a variety of cultures closer together and giving them the ability to communicate.

The languages of instruction in our three schools are German and/or English depending on the programme of choice.

For students in a programme in which the language of instruction is not their native tongue, we offer specialised language support in order to help them attain full competency. For students in the International School, we offer English as an Additional Language (EAL), for students in the Swiss Gymnasium we offer German as an Additional Language (Deutsch als Zweitsprache, DaZ). In the Bilingual Elementary School we offer language support for non-native speakers.

All our language teachers are native speakers with experience and expertise in language instruction. Many of our students choose to study a third, fourth and even fifth language, with a variety of language classes and self-taught options on offer.

English as an Additional Language

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme is available to all students in the International School. The EAL programme operates in addition to students’ regular class schedule to help learning by language immersion. Students attain competency in reading, writing, comprehension and conversation in a short time period. The programme is individualised to accommodate each student’s ability.

Students are expected to have a good knowledge of English before entering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

German as an Additional Language

Our German as an Additional Language (Deutsch als Zweitsprache, DaZ) is available at all levels in the Swiss Gymnasium.

Like the EAL programme, the DaZ programme functions in addition to students’ regular class schedule to help learning by language immersion. Students attain competency in reading, writing, comprehension and conversation in a short time period. The programme is individualised to suit each student’s ability.

Students are expected to have a good knowledge of German before entering the final two years of the Matura programme (and English if completing the bilingual programme).

Additional Languages

Next to our languages of instruction, we offer the following taught language courses:

• French (Bilingual Elementary School, International School, Swiss Gymnasium,)

• Spanish (International School, Swiss Gymnasium)

• Russian (International School)

• Italian (International School)

We also offer full support for students who wish to complete a self-taught language course for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.