ABOUT US
Welcome to the International German School Ho Chi Minh City!
In the middle of the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, our small, family-run school campus is a green oasis that is both a lively, and creative place where different nationalities meet, and a place of excellent education. Our school is part of the network of 140 German Schools Abroad (DAS) worldwide that are financially supported by the Federal Foreign Office and is currently attended by 170 children from 18 different nations from Kindergarten to 12th grade. The lessons are given by 32 qualified, highly motivated and very dedicated colleagues from Germany, Vietnam, Great Britain, South Africa, Poland and other countries. The languages of instruction are German and English. In addition, French as a foreign language and Vietnamese for native speakers are offered from the 6th grade. The appreciation of diverse cultures and curiosity about the traditions of different cultures are also particularly important to us in language education.
In secondary level I, we orientate ourselves on the curricula for German schools abroad that are specified for the region; in secondary level II, the learning content of the International Baccalaureate program applies, which our students complete with the GIB diploma. The GIB Diploma gives our graduates access to the universities in Vietnam and all universities and colleges in Germany and worldwide, as it is a university entrance qualification like the Abitur; GIB graduates are very welcome as students at universities and colleges due to their excellent preparation for successful studies.
At the IGS, we pursue a holistic educational approach and respond individually to the needs of the students, encourage and challenge them, allow them to discuss, experiment and reflect on them in class. We see ourselves as learning coaches for our students. This pedagogical approach can be implemented very well in the mostly small learning groups at the IGS. For us, key qualifications and soft skills such as analytical skills, solution-oriented action, a sense of responsibility, and independent learning play an important role in the classroom. The excellent quality of the education at the IGS is also externally confirmed by regular visits by the IBO organization and in the future also by the federal and state inspection of the central office for schools abroad.
In addition to subject lessons, we naturally offer our students a wide range of study groups, carry out stimulating and practice-related activities in and outside of subject lessons, maintain close contact with external cooperation partners and carry out in-depth class and study trips. Balanced, healthy meals in our school cafeteria are taken care of, as is transport for our students to and from school.
We hope you enjoy visiting our website and that we can convince you of our multifaceted offer. We look forward to meeting you and your children!
MISSION STATEMENT
The International German School HCMC (IGS) aims to create a space in which learners acquire skills which enable them to lead a happy and fulfilling life with a high degree of sensitivity and responsibility for themselves and the environment.
The starting point for this is the holistic promotion of motor, cognitive, affective, and linguistic skills. Our program encourages students to think creatively and be solution-oriented, to act independently, actively, respectfully and to appreciate cultural differences.
STUDENT PROFILE
The students at IGS
1. Are able to perceive and feel complex emotions; they are enthusiastic, interested in many things and develop flexible skills for lifelong learning.
2. Question, reflect critically and think analytically to identify complex problems and solve them taking ethical aspects into account.
3. Are creative, enjoy learning, and are performance-oriented.
4. Bear responsibility towards the environment and actively promote a peaceful coexistence.
5. Are globally and regionally oriented, value cultural and individual diversity and their own cultural identity(ies).
6. Have profound knowledge and skills and are aware of the limits and interdependencies of knowledge acquisition. They are able to evaluate the relative truth of information in its contextual dependencies.
7. Are aware of stereotypical ways of thinking and work to reduce prejudice. They understand and value their own culture and personal life history; they are open to the views, values, and traditions of other people and communities. They work with different perspectives, evaluate them, and are willing to grow on these experiences.
8. Are able to assess strengths and limits in order to promote their own development in a targeted manner.
9. Are willing to take risks and are open when it comes to developing new spheres of influence.
10. Can effectively communicate and defend their beliefs on the basis of the principle of the better argument. They have a solid, connective media education, and use media in a critical-constructive way.
11. Strive for balance and understand the importance of intellectual, physical, and emotional balance for a fulfiled, healthy life. The latter includes principles of a healthy lifestyle.
12. Have developed principles for their actions which are characterised by integrity, honesty, fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of individuals, groups, communities, minorities, and orientations. They work independently and take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences associated with them. They are socially committed, show empathy, and respect the views and needs of others.
CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
School profile
IGS is a coeducational, intercultural learning place and is open to children of all nationalities fulfilling our admission requirements. The main languages of instruction are German and English as well as Vietnamese (for native speakers) and French as a foreign language.
The starting point for our pedagogical work in primary and secondary school are curricula for an encounter school abroad. The latter are based on the curricula of the Federal State of Thuringia.
Thus content requirements for continuing the children’s respective education in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland as well as international programs are ensured. In 1,5 years, we plan to introduce a mixed-language IB diploma program.
The learning content for Vietnamese learners prescribed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education for schools with an international orientation is taught according to the relevant guidelines.
Main profile areas
I. Multilingual (bilingual program – German/English; Vietnamesese as first language, French as a foreign language)
II. Focus on natural science (early science education in U6, increased science teaching in middle school)
III. Fostering of creativity, independence and responsibility
SCHOOL OBJECTIVES
Secondary II | Grades 11 - 12 (IB-Diploma-Program)
EXAMS
Grade 12: IB DIPLOMA (mixed-language)
Grade 11: BII / CI
Secondary I | Grades 5 - 10 (integrated)
EXAMS
Years 10: IB-preparation
* if applicable final examination Sec I (external) for learners with a German passport after grades 9 or 10
Grade 9
* if applicable final examination Sec I (external) for learners with a German passport after grades 9 or 10
Grade 8: B I
Competency tests Thuringia: German, English, mathematics
Grade 7
Grade 6: Type of school recommendation
Competency tests Thuringia: German, English, mathematics
[Orientation stages: grades 5-6]
Primary grades 1 to 4
Grade 4
Grade 3: Compentency tests Thuringia: German, mathematics
Grade 2
Grade 1
Kindergarten with preschool
School entry test
Campus
In a suitable environment, specific learning impulses can be given. Movement in a natural environment is an integral and essential prerequisite for the development of coordination and perception and the resulting development of cognitive skills.
Surrounded by palm trees, colorful plants and tropical greenery, the IGS offers a natural, lively learning environment with many opportunities to try oneself out, to observe, to discover new things and to gather intensive sensory experiences.
The architecture of the school buildings and the rooms for movement convey the physical rhythm of everyday school life and serve the development of perception and imagination. Individually designed villas with varying room sizes, different levels and retreat areas as well as classrooms furnished according to didactic principles promote the development of learners.
SCHOOL MEALS
Our cafeteria in the palm garden offers three meals. We regularly coordinate the choice of dishes with our caterer. In addition to taste, aspects such as the use of regional food items, questions of cultivation and the healthy composition of ingredients play an increasingly important role.
Every day our cafeteria offers a dish of Western cuisine, at times a fusion dish, and a typical Southeast Asian dish. A combination of vegetarian dishes is possible. An online feedback form gives you the opportunity to make suggestions and requests. In addition to the meals themselves, a number of projects and afternoon activities take place in which our children also deal with the topic of “healthy nutrition” on a theoretical level.
Parents can find out about the weekly menu on our News for Parents page.
GOOD EDUCATION NEEDS A STRONG TEAM
SCHOOL PROVIDER
The International German School HCMC (IGS) was founded in 2012 as a result of the Hanoi Declaration. The declaration states that both countries wish to support the establishment of a German-Vietnamese school of encounter in Vietnam.
This German school abroad is run by the German-based Asia Pacific Philanthropy Foundation gGMBH. As part of the network of German schools abroad, IGS is a member of the World Association of German Schools Abroad (WDA).