SECONDARY LEVEL I
Dear parents
The lower secondary level comprises grades 5 to 10. After primary school, the children first attend the two-year orientation level (grades 5 and 6). In these two classes, the children have the opportunity to orient themselves with regard to the requirements of the different levels (Gymnasium and Realschule). Of course, this includes intensive consultation with the parents.
Secondary level I is not just about deepening professional skills. The children should develop an attitude towards life and learning that empowers them when they face challenges further on, while also living with the values of our school. They will also increasingly acquire more learning and communication strategies.
With a view to the continuation of the educational path in the GIB upper school, we support questioning and research-based learning from Grade 5 with an increased weekly number of science lessons. For grades 9 and 10, the “Research Hour” and the “Debating Society” are added. The presentation, explanation and discussion of ideas becomes a matter of course for our students.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION?
Transfer certificate and, if applicable, reports from the school previously attended as well as age-typical development in a mother tongue.
Minimal requirements for German
| Grades 5 – 6 | A1 |
| Grade 7 | A2 |
| Grade 8 | A2+ |
| Grade 9 | B1 |
| Grade 10 | B1 |
Minimal requirements for English
| Grades 5 – 6 | A1 |
| Grade 7 | A2 |
| Grade 8 | B1 |
| Grade 9 | B1 |
| Grade 10 | B1 |
French as foreign langauge* (from grade 6)
| Grades 6 | > A1 |
| Grade 7 | A1 |
| Grade 8 | A2 |
| Grade 9 | A2 |
| Grade 10 | > B1 |
*Special rules apply for lateral entrants
Lateral entrants without prior knowledge of German
Lateral entry with little or basic knowledge of German is possible up to and including class 8; also during the school year if all other educational requirements are met.
ADMISSION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
Lateral entry into grade 5 – 10 is possible during the school year once it has been established that the required educational requirements have been met.
STRUCTURE OF SECONDARY LEVEL AND CURRICULAR BASIS
Grades 7 – 10 (integrated)
Curricula:
- The Curricula at IGS is based on the curricula of the federal state of Thuringia with the adjustments and extensions established for the region.
- National curricula of the Vietnamese block for native speakers
- Framework DaF (German as a Foreign Language) (B I)
Grade 10
Grade 7-9
Exams:
- German language diploma I (DSD1) depending on the level of learning for students in Grades 7 to 9 (level B1)
- Competency tests: German, English, Math
Grades 5 – 6
Curricula:
- The Curricula at IGS is based on the curricula of the federal state of Thuringia with the adjustments and extensions established for the region.
- National curricula of the Vietnamese block for native speakers
- Framework DaF (German as a Foreign Language)
Grade 6
Exams:
- International comparative work in German (level A2)
- Competency tests: German, English, Math
Recommendation on school type
Subjects
German as a Foreign Language (DaF)
English
Vietnamese for native speakers
French
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Geography (in English)
Ethics
Social Studies and Politics
Debate (Debattier AG)
Sport/ Swimming (partly in English)
Music (partly in English)
Choir
Research Lesson
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER COMPLETION OF GRADE 10?
With grade 11, the students start the IB Diploma Phase. The International German School Ho Chi Minh City is an IB World School and offers the mixed-language International Baccalaureate (GIB/IB) as a school-leaving qualification. Like the more conventional German school-leaving qualification, the Abitur, this diploma entitles you to study at a university both in Germany and internationally.
DO STUDENTS RECEIVE REPORTS?
Students receive a mid-year and end-of-year grade report and a verbal assessment at the end of the school year. The students graduate with the IB Diploma (German/ English).
Official certificates are awarded for passed examinations or comparative work in the field of German/German as a foreign language, documenting the achievement of the respective levels.
SCHOOL HOURS
The school year at IGS usually comprises of 180 days and takes into account selected national holidays of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (see School calendar).
The lessons and the after-school activities take place from Monday to Thursday between 8:00 – 16:15 and Friday until 14:35. Apart from the prescribed lessons, IGS offers extension hours, after-school activities, as well as additional lessons for lateral entrants.
HOW TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AS PARENTS / GUARDIANS?
- Information talks prior to registration
- Parent evenings at the beginning of the school year
- Parent-teacher conference at half-term
- Consulation hours with teachers
- Parent letters, newsletters, website, Facebook