This past June, I had the opportunity to sit in on the oral Matura exams at SIS Basel. There, students discussed German literature in depth, ranging from classical authors such as Gotthold Lessing to contemporary writers like Juli Zeh. Students needed to identify the source of a literary excerpt and discuss the author, the work, and the time period in which it was composed. They then answered a series of questions that demanded an even higher level of thinking. The same exam was administered a week later for English literature.
Looking at the impressive work of our students in their oral exams – being able to analyse Kästner and Shakespeare in their original languages – I can’t help but reflect on the roots of these skills: SIS primary.
It is one thing to become bilingual, speaking two (or even more) languages fluently. However, it is a greater achievement to become biliterate: being able to read and write in that second language with the same proficiency and ease. Of the 31 students who graduated this past year, more than half had been at our school since the primary years. There, it was standard practice to switch languages daily: Monday’s maths exercises were completed in German, Tuesday’s successive exercises were completed in English. This established the bilingual foundation that led to their success in the exams.
Nurturing Biliteracy
When I respond to the question, “Why SIS?”, my answer is this: our students have the tools for success at the university level and beyond. By nurturing biliteracy alongside academic rigour, we ensure that our students not only excel in their studies but also thrive in an increasingly globalised world where communication and cultural understanding are paramount. Looking ahead, the fruits of bilingual education will continue to enrich the lives of our graduates, shaping them into versatile and culturally adept individuals.