Tandem Blog
  • WHAT DOES ENQUIRY-BASED LEARNING MEAN?

    Have you heard the term Enquiry-Based Learning (or Inquiry-Based Learning) and wondered what teaching method it is, what its benefits are and what the difference is between this teaching method and the frontal (traditional) one? Let me look back at my 20 years of teaching.

  • The Swiss School System - Giving your Child the Roots to Branch Out

    The Swiss school system can appear confusing (and even intimidating at times), especially for parents who have not gone through it themselves. The path your child can take after primary school is more like a network of branches reaching high for success. Success and the routes along the branches come in many forms, all wonderfully interconnected. Although the path to the treetop does not always appear simple and direct, many possibilities can open up along the way. The Swiss school system is more permeable than one might think at first glance. We will show you how flexible your child's path from primary school to graduation can be and answer the most frequently asked questions that many parents ask us.

  • Can you communicate with your baby through sign language?

    Have you heard of baby sign language? Are you wondering whether it works and if it can really improve communication with your baby? Our teachers at Tandem IMS have been consistently using baby sign language in our early years and pre-school groups for several years and they confirm it makes a big difference. Therefore, we would like to explain how baby sign language works, what benefits it brings, and how you can introduce and use it at home.

  • The Advantages of Multilingualism from an Early Age

    Over the last 15 years, visiting parents have often queried whether their children should be learning a second or third language from an early age and if it is beneficial to their development into adulthood. Such questions are of course still pertinent as our international society has diversified. Multi-cultured and multi-linguistic couples, expatriate work situations and patch-work families have led to an increase of children becoming multilingual.

  • Super Charge your Family's Immunity

    As we start to emerge from isolation after the corona virus measures, we begin to appreciate the importance of having a strong and robust immune system to help us avoid illness. To boost the immune system we need a healthy foundation combining a nutrient diet and active lifestyle. Whatever your family’s health routine currently looks like there is always room for improvement and we are here to support you.

  • Preparing your Child to Return to School

    Since Covid-19 pandemic forced schools to close and children to learn from home, the idea of returning to a ‘normal’ life has been on everyone’s mind. As one of the first steps, children will return to school in the coming days and weeks. While being excited about this prospect, parents and children may also have some concerns. Therefore, preparing your children for this transition will certainly help them to have a great start back at school.

  • Why being bored isn't a bad thing!

    Unstructured and unscheduled free time will be something that most children will face during the lockdown phase of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is impossible to keep children occupied at all times and boredom can set in. Many children will find this a stark contrast compared to their previous structured school day where they lived very full and exciting lives. As we get to grips with the new reality, perhaps it is good to also consider how we can embrace boredom.

  • WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO STRUCTURE YOURS AND YOUR CHILD'S DAY AT HOME!

    Being in a lockdown situation is tough, but even more so for your child who is familiar with a routine in their everyday life when at school. Likewise, you most likely have a daily schedule and pattern.  While you have no control of other people’s actions right now, you can make sure that you maintain a structure at home which is essential for both you and your child. Having a routine in place, will help keep you sane. Here are some tips for your daily routine:

  • Our new logo

    After 10 years, we have asked ourselves if our school logo still represents who we are. After taking a look at how we have grown and developed, we decided it was time for an update.

  • Happy Birthday Tandem IMS

    It is, I must admit, not without a little nostalgia that I sometimes look back on my pre-Tandem IMS days. The freedom to be a mum that no-one knew, instead of the mum everyone knows; the ability to choose my own employment opportunities, instead of choosing who to employ; being a parent who can join the PTA and go out for drinks, not the school head who joins PTA meetings to listen to the summary of discussions that were held over a nice glass of wine; being a staff member who can ask for an honest appraisal from a supervisor and be challenged to improve, and not instead, being the one delivering advice and encouragement.