Native German courses integrated into the French school system in elementary school, followed by the German section at the Collège and Lycée of the Cité Scolaire Internationale (CSI) Ferney-Voltaire.

By the early 1970s, CERN’s rapid expansion across the Franco-Swiss border created new challenges, including the need to attract international talent. A key obstacle was the lack of schooling options for the diverse CERN community, prompting discussions with the French authorities in 1970. A Colloquium in 1973 laid the foundation for an international education system in the Pays de Gex, integrating national sections into French schools. The first classes in German, Swedish, Dutch, and English began between 1973 and 1974, followed by Italian in 1975 and Spanish in 1988. This initiative led to the establishment of the International Lycée in Ferney-Voltaire, extended in 2016 to Saint-Genis Pouilly, pioneering a multicultural education model that remains in place today.

Through a series of articles, the ECHO will highlight the various international sections that exist today at the Lycée international de Ferney-Voltaire/Saint-Genis, which will be published throughout 2025.

Growing up with two languages and two cultures (or more) is a wonderful gift. It encourages openness to the world and — for the German section — also strengthens Franco-German friendship, an important pillar of a united Europe.

Moreover, learning German helps reinforce ties with the family of the German-speaking parent or relative. For students moving from a German-speaking country to settle in the Pays de Gex, the lessons support maintaining the German language and connection to their former place of residence. Primary school German classes as a mother tongue also help German-speaking families promote and preserve the German language and culture. At the same time, these classes prepare students for the German section at the Collège-Lycée International de Ferney-Voltaire.

So, international education here is a big advantage! In Ferney-Voltaire, children and teenagers grow up in an international environment. Diversity, tolerance, openness, understanding… all of this is part of their daily life and provides them with an excellent foundation for their professional future — and for their life as global citizens.

Already in primary school, students learn the German language both orally and in writing. They develop their ability to understand German texts and to express themselves in a grammatically correct and audience-appropriate manner. At the same time, we broaden their view of Germany’s rich culture and celebrate annual traditions with them. There’s always an important event: shortly before Christmas, Saint Nicholas comes to bring small gifts and enjoys the poems, plays, songs, or other performances prepared by the students. Occasionally, parents are invited too.

The limited number of hours (3 hours per week) in primary school is a challenge, but the small learning groups made possible by the parents' association and the warm welcome at the Le Joran middle school in Prévessin-Moëns are great advantages.

Parents of CM2 (5th grade) students, middle school, and high school students come together for an end-of-year celebration. For the open day at CSI Ferney-Voltaire and for the German section’s yearbook, our students prepare lively presentations.

The teachers stay in constant contact with our students' parents and regularly organize meetings with them. This collaboration is the foundation for the students' learning success. In particular, the head of the section and the head of the German section in primary school are always available for German section families. For example, they offer appointments to listen to parents and provide advice if needed. Supportive communication is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Since 1984, there has been a German parents' association, officially registered in June 1998 under the name "Association pour la promotion de l'enseignement de la langue allemande dans le Pays de Gex" — A.P.E.G. This association aims to promote and support German language education in primary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Its website is:

https://deutsch-im-pays-de-gex.web.cern.ch/elternverein-a-p-e-g/   

The German section in the Pays de Gex relies on three remarkable pillars: German education in primary school, the German section at the Collège and Lycée in Ferney-Voltaire, and A.P.E.G.

CERN played a key role in its creation in 1973, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) partially funds German language education at the Collège-Lycée by providing three teachers. Primary school teachers, however, must be paid from other sources. A.P.E.G. not only finances educational materials but, as an employer — with the support of CERN — also fully covers the salaries of the primary school teachers.

For more information, you are invited to contact:

Director of German education in primary school:-Mrs. Rita AMELUNG – rita.amelung@orange.fr

Head of the German section at Collège and Lycée: Mrs. Katja FISCHER – deutsche.abteilung.ferney@gmail.com

President of APEG: Mr. Gerhard SCHNEIDER, CERN – Gerhard.Schneider@cern.ch