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Join our Virtual Open House : 3 live sessions - 11th February 2026
At Collège du Léman, a leading international school in Versoix, near Geneva, students from over 120 nationalities learn, grow, and connect in a truly global community. In classrooms and boarding houses alike, English becomes the bridge that unites them. Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme is not just about learning English—it’s about helping students find their voice, build confidence, and thrive as global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world.
“Our students arrive with very little or no English and leave with massive value added,” says Mathew Ross, EAL Programme Leader.
“Their journeys are meteoric—what they achieve is extraordinary.”
Few schools in Switzerland offer an English immersion programme as structured and personalised as CDL’s. EAL students receive fifteen periods of English per week, taught entirely in English by experienced, multilingual teachers in small, single-level language groups, ensuring learners are supported at every stage of their English learning journey.
Unlike “sink or swim” approaches, where students are expected to cope independently in a new language, CDL provides a fully scaffolded pathway into English-medium education. Students are not mixed with peers at vastly different language levels, nor are they left to navigate complex academic content without support.
“It can be the case in many schools that children either sink or swim when it comes to coping with a new language,” explains Vanessa Mitchell, English Teacher for the EAL programme. “We make sure every student gets the English learning they need, while being fully integrated into school life. They’re not separate—they’re part of everything.”
In addition to English lessons, students follow EAL-adapted subject classes, such as Physics EAL, where the curriculum mirrors mainstream content but is carefully adapted for language learners. Taught in small specialist groups, these classes allow students to progress through the curriculum at a pace aligned with their peers while benefiting from a more supportive and tailored learning environment.
In this vibrant international education setting, students also learn English by living it every day at school. From discussions in the cafeteria to school projects, group sports activities, and school trips, they use the language naturally, discovering that communication leads to connection, and connection leads to confidence.
At CDL, English immersion is built on close relationships, personalised support, and high academic expectations. Classes are deliberately small—typically five to eight students—so teachers can provide individualised guidance and build strong, trusting relationships.
“I see my students more than I see my dog and my family,” says Elizabeth Durant, EAL Teacher, with a smile.
“They become like our own children—and that’s why they thrive.”
Students genuinely feel this care. One student shared:
“It’s the first time I’ve had a teacher who really likes me—who truly cares about me.”
This approach leads to clear academic success. Many students join CDL with developing English and, within just a few years, are able to access and succeed in rigorous academic programmes.
Success stories highlight the programme’s impact. You-How, now in Grade 12, entered the EAL programme in Grade 10 at a B1 level. Today, he is successfully studying four AP courses, demonstrating how targeted language support combined with high expectations enables students to excel.
Similarly, Mikhail, also in Grade 12, began his journey at an A1 level in Grade 9. Through consistent language instruction and academic guidance, he now studies four AP courses, reflecting sustained academic growth and strong English proficiency.
Just as important, English quickly becomes part of students’ everyday lives and relationships. As another student shared,
“I speak English now because it’s the only way to communicate with my friends.”
This sense of authentic immersion reinforces why students make such rapid progress: English is not only taught, it is lived through friendships, collaboration, and everyday interactions.
Together, these bonds create a nurturing environment where students feel safe to make mistakes, celebrate their progress, and grow—not only as learners, but as confident young people within a diverse international community.
English today is more than a language—it is an essential skill for global opportunity. Studies show that over 80% of the world’s top universities require English fluency, and employers across international industries rank communication skills among their highest priorities.
At CDL, students can pursue five internationally recognised diploma pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP), the American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well as two francophone diplomas, the French Baccalaureate and the Swiss Maturité. With a 100% global success rate across all diplomas, each pathway opens doors to leading universities in the UK, Europe, North America, and beyond.
“Our students are as smart—if not smarter—than everyone else,” says Vanessa Mitchell.
“They just don’t have the English yet. We never simplify the learning material—we help them rise to it.”
Some students advance from beginner to advanced levels in record time.
“One of our students, Mohamed, went from A1 to B2 in a single year,” notes Vanessa.
“We move them up the moment they’re ready—that’s the power of our approach.”
Unlike programmes where students remain in a fixed level for an entire year, at Collège du Léman, each student is placed in the class that best matches their current abilities. The EAL programme is completely personalised: as learners develop, they move to the most appropriate level without delay. This ensures they are consistently challenged and supported, progressing at their own pace while never being “held back”—a feature highly valued by both students and parents.
At CDL, learning English is about much more than mastering grammar or vocabulary—it’s about belonging to the world. Every year, students and families from more than 120 countries join our diverse community, bringing a rich mix of languages, cultures, and perspectives. Often knowing only a few words in English, they quickly find a supportive environment where language becomes a bridge—to friendship, understanding, and new opportunities.
In our multilingual, multicultural school near Geneva, students gain the empathy, adaptability, and confidence that define true global citizenship.
“They come here to learn English, but they leave ready to take on the world,” says Matthew Ross.
We’d love to welcome you for a personal tour of our campus, introduce you to our academic team, and show you how Collège du Léman’s personalised English immersion programme can help your child gain confidence, develop fluency, and thrive academically in a supportive, international environment. Book a visit or contact our Admissions team to discover how CDL can support your child’s bilingual journey from beginner English to full immersion.
📞 Contact our Admissions Team: +41 22 775 56 56 | admissions@cdl.ch
📍 Book a tour of our campus in Versoix
🌐 Learn more about our academic programme