Multilingual Education

In a positive and dynamic learning climate

WELCOME TO TANDEM INTERNATIONAL MULTILINGUAL SCHOOL

Each of our schools offer full day educational programmes and care.

ZURICH
(0-12 years)

German, English and French
130 students
Zurich Seefeld quarter

ZOLLIKON
(0-4 years)

Geman and English
50 students
in the village center

ERLENBACH
(0-4 years)

German and English
30 students
in the village center

Founded 2004

2004

School
Founded

Tandem IMS students

250+

Students
On Roll

Tandem IMS Student Nationalities

30

Student Nationalities

Gymi Pass Rate

100%

Gymi
Pass Rate

DELF Prim Pass Rate

100%

DELF Prim
Pass Rate

Staff Nationalities

12

Staff Nationalities

Native German Speakers

50%

Native German Speakers

Native English Speakers

25%

Native English Speakers

School locations

3

School
Locations

0m to 4 Years

0 to 4

Early Years
Pre-School

4 to 6 Years

4 to 6

Kindergarten

6 to 12 Years

6 to 12

Primary

Continue to Gymni

50%

Continue
to Gymi

After School Clubs

14

After
School Clubs

Holiday Camps

10

Holiday
Camps

Tandem IMS Staff Members

70

Staff
Members

Discover the world through languages!

Tandem IMS is a dynamic day school, offering high-quality multilingual education (German, English and French) in a warm and child-friendly environment where both local Swiss and international families are welcome. We have developed a unique concept of multilingualism (German, English and French) in the education of the very young through to the end of the primary school years. All students experience translanguaging in which the German and English teachers are both regularly present in their classroom at the same time. In addition, our enquiry-based learning curriculum, based on the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate (IB) ensures a stimulating, creative and thought-provoking multidimensional education.

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WHY TANDEM IMS?

Our goal is to give your child the best education to be fit for the future.

We support every child in reaching their highest potential and developing their learning strategies in order to prepare them for their next educational step be it Swiss Gymnasium or another upper-level school.

Please also look at our statistics regarding staff stability, contact time with teachers as well as qualified teaching staff per class.

Multilingual

Multilingual

English and German are spoken in our nurseries. As of kindergarten, French will be part of the multilingual education.

Translanguaging

Translanguaging

Our English and German teachers are co-teaching. Therefore, children learn to switch between the languages naturally.

Enquiry-Based Learning

Enquiry-Based Learning

Encouraging children to ask questions, do research and find answers - based on the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Curricula

Curricula

The core of our curriculum is canton Zurich’s curriculum (Lehrplan 21) and the UK National Curriculum.

Assessments

Assessments

To ensure your child’s progress, we provide a variety of assessments as i.e. Swiss Klassencockpit and UK SATs.

Gymnasium preparation

Gymnasium preparation

We support every child in reaching their highest potential and prepare them optimally for the Swiss Gymi exam.

WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS

Milla and her Family

Our daughter Milla started in Kindergarten 1 and finished in grade 6. We are so thankful to all the teachers, management and administration for the great work they do with the children. Tandem IMS offers a friendly environment and the warmth of a family. Milla had a lot of fun but she also learned a lot. She is not only academically strong in English and German and advanced in French but she developed as an individual who loves and respects people, who is independent and confident, who is free to express her opinion, who knows how to organize her daily life and work under pressure. As she said in her graduation speech: «Here in Tandem I had the best time of my life! I am looking forward to the future because I know I am well prepared for the next step of my life.» 

Milla and her Family
Kindergarten and Primary School
Tandem IMS Parents Statements

Valentina und Mateo gingen beide mit 6 Monaten in die Krippe und anschliessend in die Vorschule. Es war faszinierend zu erleben, wie schnell sie Englisch lernten und mit welcher Leichtigkeit nun beide zwischen Deutsch, Englisch und Spanisch wechseln können. Valentina und Mateo fühlten sich immer sehr wohl und wir Eltern hatten dank der offenen Kommunikation mit dem Team stets die Gewissheit, dass die Kinder in besten Händen sind. Wir sind Tandem IMS sehr dankbar für den wertvollen Abschnitt im Leben unserer Kinder.

Valentina, Mateo and their parents
Early Years and Pre-School
Francesco and his mum

We experienced Tandem IMS as a happy place to learn and to prepare students in many fields of life, not just school subjects but also social skills and community spirit. The teaching style and the multicultural environment is nurturing a growth mindset and lifelong learning which are so important in these times of constant changes. Our son Francesco has spent his whole primary school time at Tandem IMS and graduated after 6th Grade well prepared for the next step (Sek A, Küsnacht). He had a fantastic start there with many advantages already in French, English and an independent and self-organized homework attitude. His brother Lorenzo is still enjoying Tandem Primary school and will graduate in a couple of years.

Francesco and his mum
Primary School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Neven started in Kiga 1 and stayed until the end of Primary 6, a total of 8 years. He is a very active and lively boy. All the different teachers he had at Tandem IMS were able to motivate and interest him through all these years. They recognised his strengths and supported him when needed. Neven successfully passed the Gymiprüfung and also in Gymnasium it shows how well he is prepared for learning in a demanding environment. As we’re both working parents we always felt understood and supported by Tandem IMS. If we would start again with a younger child we would choose Tandem IMS again.

Neven and his mum
Primary School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Tandem IMS's sense of community and the depth of care and dedication teachers and staff bring to the school, is what makes it so special. At Tandem IMS, teachers get to know each child individually and take time to understand the best ways to help them learn and grow. Children learn to treat each other with respect, work together, and to appreciate differences of background, identity, and perspective. Both socially and academically, our son greatly benefitted from Tandem IMS's nurturing learning environment.

Viggo and his parents
Kindergarten
Tandem IMS Testimonials

It was an incredible journey for the last 6 years and we will be missing every single day of this experience. Dedicated teachers truly loving the kids and the daily job they do, dedicated educational team, and outstanding curriculum to make sure kids are not only prepared for day-to-day life, but also for the school after. But more importantly, are the social skills which Arthur and Andrew watched and learned every day. Something, one can’t buy for money but have it in your heart.

Arthur, Andrew and their mum
Early Years and Pre-School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Massi grew up in the translanguaging environment of Tandem IMS, becoming fluent in both English and German from an early age. The enquiry-based learning allowed him to be himself, learning easily by asking questions constantly. We are grateful to all the teachers that accompanied him since he was two years old. Thank you for your patience, professionalism, creativity, and engagement. Tandem IMS and its teachers are putting a lot of effort in recognising each child's needs, adapting to their rhythm, their curiosity, making everyone feel unique. 

Massi and his parents
Early Years, Pre-School, Kindergarten
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Seeing our children becoming less and less happy attending public school, we felt compelled to look for a better alternative that could meet their needs.  What we found turned out to be so much more than expected: an inspiring culture, motivating teachers, and an exciting multilingual spirit.  While learning is never easy and often demanding, for our children, it suddenly became a fun and productive experience.  The depth and breadth of the learning opportunity offered by this school is nothing short of great!

Luca and his dad
Primary School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Mariana thrived in the familiar atmosphere of Tandem IMS. The bilingual education prepared her well for further language study, and the teachers were very professional, committed and caring of my child’s needs. After leaving Tandem IMS, Mariana settled exceptionally well in her new school and was academically well prepared for the new demands. Thank you, Tandem IMS!

Mariana and her mum
Primary School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

At Tandem IMS, I really felt that the children were growing their knowledge and improving their language skills in both, English and German. Caspar entered at the age of 4 into kindergarten 1 and stayed for 2 years. He could not speak one word of English and German when he joined, since we speak Italian and Russian at home. When he finished kindergarten 2 at the age of 6, he could communicate very well in both English and German and we were very proud of him.

Caspar and his dad
Kindergarten
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Tandem IMS was the best choice and the best investment for our child. Tandem IMS makes parents confident that their child is in the best hands. The experience, the education and the engagement level of the teachers is set at the highest standards. And as a bonus, our little son was taught in 2 languages, so that for the Kindergarten he is well prepared and speaks, without any difficulties, German and English on top of Russian. Without any hesitations, our younger little baby was also enrolled at Tandem IMS.

Andrew and his family
Early Years and Pre-School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

We were impressed how quickly Cédric settled in which was also due to the warm and caring atmosphere that welcomed him. Cédric loved to go to Tandem IMS as he found an environment that adapted to his needs and gave him brain food (he is a very curious boy). We felt that the excellent teachers recognize the strengths of each child individually and support children to develop further. During his time at Tandem IMS, Cédric progressed impressively and he always felt very safe and was very eager to go to Tandem IMS.

Cédric and his mum
Pre-School
Tandem IMS Testimonials

Emma enjoyed the inspiring environment, the caring teachers and the super interesting curriculum. Each day was different and the children learned a lot by going through the various subjects that were spread throughout the year. A lot of effort also goes into organising special events through which the children can discover the entire world. Emma benefited a lot from Tandem and was now ready to go to kindergarten. We are very grateful for the great time Emma spent at Tandem IMS and are missing the team a lot!

Emma and her mum
Early Years and Pre-School

OUR LATEST NEWS

Find out what's happening at Tandem IMS

Calendar

06.03.2019 | 17:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

06.03.2019 | 16:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

06.03.2019 | 16:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

06.03.2019 | 16:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

06.03.2019 | 16:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

06.03.2019 | 16:00

Zurich

Musical “Animals in Africa”

News

SCHOOL AND PARENTS COLLABORATION

Our School Director Neal Brown talks about how teachers and parents can best work together to support the pupils inside and outside the classroom. Enjoy reading the blog!

Meet our School Dog

Learn how having a school dog helps children concentrate better, strengthen self-esteem, improve social competencies, learn empathy and encourage motivation to participate and learn.  Enjoy reading our blog.

THE ADVANTAGES OF MULTILINGUALISM FROM AN EARLY AGE

Are you wondering when your child should learn a second or third language? Our experience shows that there are numerous benefits of becoming multilingual, especially from an early age. Find out more in our blog.

extra curricular activities 2023/24

Ferienlager und After School Clubs for School Year 2023/24 - find out more.