In today’s world what does it really mean to raise a bilingual child? At ICS Côte d’Azur, bilingual preschool and primary education starts early—with a unique 50:50 immersion model and a warm, international community that helps young learners thrive in both English and French.
We spoke with Jennifer Wallace, Brand Manager of Globeducate ICS schools in France, to find out what makes the school’s approach stand out. From play-based learning to personalised language support, she shares how ICS creates a nurturing environment where children build confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning in two languages. A focus for expats, bilingual families and newcomers to the Cote d’Azur area.
Why Bilingual Learning Matters More Than Ever
What makes ICS Côte d’Azur’s approach to bilingual education in Preschool and Primary stand out from other schools in the region?
Let me explain the ICS Côte d’Azur’s French-English immersion model. Our approach stands out for its truly balanced 50:50 bilingual model. Unlike other schools that may offer limited exposure to a second language, our students spend one full day learning in English and the next in French. All subjects — including maths, science, literacy, and the arts — are taught in both languages by native-speaking teachers, ensuring deep understanding and fluency in both.
We follow the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), enriched by the best of the English and French national curricula. Our diverse community of local French and international families creates a multicultural environment where children develop curiosity, confidence, and global awareness from an early age.
How does your full immersion model work in practice for young learners just starting out with two languages?
Our full immersion model is designed to support young learners from day one, even if they have never been exposed to English or French before. We believe bilingual learning matters early on; up to the age of 7, children can join ICS Côte d’Azur with no prior knowledge of either language and quickly begin to thrive in our bilingual environment. With one full day in English and the next in French, they are immersed in both languages naturally and consistently through meaningful, everyday experiences.
Our trained, experienced teachers use proven strategies such as Total Physical Response (TPR), visual supports, and play-based learning to help children understand and communicate with confidence. Language is learned in context — through stories, songs, games, and hands-on exploration — making it accessible and engaging. This gentle, responsive approach ensures that children feel secure, motivated, and ready to become confident bilingual learners.
For children who join ICS a little later, how do your EAL and FLE programmes support their language development?
For children who join ICS Côte d’Azur later and need additional language support, our EAL (English as an Additional Language) and FLE (Français Langue Étrangère) programmes are carefully designed to help them build confidence step by step. We use a combination of pull-out sessions, where students receive focused, small-group or one-on-one support, and push-in sessions, where language specialists work alongside classroom teachers to support learning within the regular lessons.
Our first priority is helping students gain confidence speaking and using the language in everyday situations. Once they feel more comfortable expressing themselves orally, we gradually develop their comprehension, reading, and writing skills. This personalised, flexible approach ensures that each child progresses at their own pace and becomes fully integrated into our bilingual learning community.
How does the school encourage literacy and numeracy across both English and French from an early age?
We nurture a love of learning from an early age by creating a rich, play-based environment where literacy and numeracy skills develop naturally in both languages. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, games, outdoor learning, and exploration, children engage with language and numbers in meaningful, enjoyable ways that make learning feel like discovery rather than work.
Our bilingual approach ensures that key concepts in literacy and numeracy are introduced and reinforced in both languages across all subjects. Skilled teachers carefully integrate reading, writing, counting, and problem-solving into everyday activities—both indoors and outdoors—helping children build strong foundations while fostering curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
How do you help children develop a real love of reading in both languages?
We help children develop a real love of reading in both English and French by creating a rich literary environment throughout the school. Every classroom is filled with carefully selected books in both languages, and we have a dedicated library where students can explore a wide variety of stories and non-fiction titles. Special events like Book Week and book fairs celebrate reading and bring excitement to discovering new books.
To make reading fun and part of daily life, we organise activities such as “Drop Everything and Read” and dress-up days where children come as their favourite book characters. Enthusiastic teachers who model a love of reading help children become confident, lifelong readers in both languages.
ICS has a strong reputation for its “culture of care”. What does this look like day-to-day in your classrooms and school community?
At ICS Côte d’Azur, our “culture of care” is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that if a child feels safe, supported, and happy at school, learning comes naturally. This begins with strong, trusting relationships between students and teachers, where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to be themselves.
Day to day, this looks like warm, welcoming classrooms, consistent routines, and teachers who are attentive to each child’s emotional and social needs. It means taking the time to listen, celebrate successes, and gently guide children through challenges. Across the school, we promote kindness, empathy, and inclusion—creating a community where children feel they belong and are ready to grow with confidence.
How do you ensure each child is known as an individual, with their unique strengths nurtured and challenges supported?
At ICS Côte d’Azur, we ensure every child is known as an individual by creating the time, space, and relationships needed to truly understand their unique strengths, interests, and challenges. Our small class sizes allow teachers to give personalised attention and adapt their approach to meet each child’s needs.
We hold two parent-teacher conferences and provide two detailed report cards each year to keep families closely involved in their child’s learning journey. During the school day, children can take part in PlayHub—a dedicated space during breaktimes where they can choose from a variety of structured play, creative, and social activities led by staff. This gives students a chance to explore their interests, express themselves, and build friendships in a calm, supported environment. Combined with a wide range of extracurricular options in sports, music, and the arts, our approach ensures every child is supported to grow with confidence—academically, socially, and emotionally.
Beyond ICS, what are the typical pathways for your Year 6 graduates, and how do you support families in making the transition to secondary school?
Even from the Early Years, we begin discussing future schooling options with families to ensure they feel informed and supported throughout their child’s journey. From Year 5 onward, we offer a personalised accompaniment process, helping each family explore the pathways that best suit their child’s needs, interests, and language profile.
Around half of our students go on to attend the Centre International de Valbonne (CIV), a respected public collège and lycée with an international section that is highly sought-after in the region. Approximately 30% continue their education at one of our sister schools—ISN Nice or Mougins British International School—both of which offer international curricula in English. The remaining 20% move on to a mix of international, public, or private schools, including boarding schools, in France or abroad. Our goal is to ensure each student transitions smoothly and confidently to the next stage of their education.
Can you share how bilingualism at ICS Côte d’Azur sets children up for future academic success, whether they stay in France or move abroad?
Bilingualism at ICS Côte d’Azur is more than just learning two languages — it’s about developing cognitive flexibility, cultural awareness, and strong communication skills that set children up for long-term academic success. By learning in both English and French every day, students gain the ability to think, understand, and express themselves confidently in both languages across all subjects.
This foundation opens doors no matter where their future takes them. Whether children continue their education in France or move abroad, their bilingual skills and experience with the IB PYP make them adaptable, open-minded, and well-prepared to transition into a wide range of school systems around the world.
How do parents get involved in school life, and how do you help international families settle into the local community?
At ICS Côte d’Azur, we warmly welcome parents as active partners in school life. They take part in school trips, attend events, assemblies, and celebrations, and contribute to the vibrant community spirit that defines our school. Our Parent Association plays an important role in connecting families, organising social events, and supporting both new and returning members of our community.
For international families, we offer a warm and supportive transition into both the school and local life. Our multilingual staff, inclusive environment, and regular communication help families feel informed and connected from the start. We also provide a trusted list of relocation agents, estate agents, and other local businesses to assist families in settling smoothly into the Côte d’Azur community.
What advice would you give to parents who would like to instil bilingualism at home from a very young age?
We encourage parents to create a language-rich environment by reading regularly in both languages and making stories a fun, daily habit. Engaging children in activities outside of school—like local clubs or cultural events—helps them practise language skills while feeling part of the community. Showing genuine interest in their learning and celebrating their progress also motivates children to enjoy and embrace both languages naturally.
What makes ICS Côte d’Azur such a special place to learn and grow?
What makes ICS Côte d’Azur truly special is the genuine sense of community and care that surrounds every child. Here, language learning is brought to life through engaging, immersive learning experiences, supported by dedicated teachers who know each student as an individual. Combined with our diverse, multicultural environment and a strong focus on wellbeing, creativity, and curiosity, ICS provides a warm and inspiring place where children can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
Learn more about how ICS Côte d’Azur helps children thrive in both English and French, right from the start.
Visit the ICS Website
Read more about international schooling on the MumAbroad blog
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