Supported by the Embassy of Italy, the programme brings Italian language education into the school curriculum from preschool onwards
Singapore, 29 October 2026 – The German European School Singapore (GESS) officially launched its Italian Mother Tongue Programme today, with the participation of the Ambassador of Italy, Dante Brandi. Designed for native Italian-speaking students, the new offering is integrated into the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and provides Italian-speaking families with an opportunity to support their children’s linguistic development.
Classes will begin in January 2027 at preschool level and will be extended to primary and secondary education in August of the same year. Students will thus be able to strengthen their Italian language skills during regular school hours, following a structured learning pathway that supports their development at different stages of their education.
The introduction of Italian at preschool level is particularly significant in Singapore, where Italian language teaching has traditionally been concentrated primarily at university level. The initiative responds to the interest of families seeking to pass on their mother tongue to their children and preserve their connection to Italy’s cultural heritage.
The launch comes just days after the conclusion of the 26th Week of the Italian Language in the World, held from 19 to 25 October under the theme “A Language of Genius: Imagining, Designing and Creating in Italian.” Organised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the annual celebration highlighted the role of Italian as a language of culture, creativity and innovation. The new GESS offering carries this message forward, bringing Italian into the classroom from the earliest years of education.
