iK-Phase

In 2002 the DSJ opened its doors to children of nursery school age who do not speak German.

Strategic Goals:

To familiarize children from non-German-speaking homes with the German language during both years of their pre-school education in kindergarten and preschool to such a degree, that they will be able to learn reading and writing and follow lessons taught in German with children who speak German as a home language.

With this programme the School wants to address the educational level of the new South Africa and offer competent children the opportunity besides the German language and culture, to gain the qualification to study in Germany.

Learners of the iK-Phase enjoy a unique and comprehensive language programme. In Kindergarten, the learners of the iK-Phase will visit compulsory support lessons in the form of workshops. Extramural activities such as cooking and baking, sports games, music and drama offer the learners extracurricular opportunities to apply and reinforce their acquired German language skills.

In the Primary School all learners have the opportunity for further language support, depending on their needs. Furthermore German extra murals are offered after school. Every child needs to take part in at least 2 extra murals. Here they are able to experiment with and practise their language skills. Games, songs, small book projects and many more serve to strengthen and reinforce their communication skills.

In Grades 3 and 4 iK-Phase learners have further opportunities to attend support lessons in German at the Phoenix Centre.

The iK-Phase significantly supports the character of cultural encounter of our School.