At a special inauguration ceremony held on Thursday, 5 September, the international school, GEMS World Academy, invited author, Douglas Kennedy to open its new Discovery World Library and World Language Learning Center in Etoy, Vaud.
Timed to coincide with the annual literary festival in Morges, Le Livre sur les Quais in Morges, the event was one of many special occasions organized to help children explore the world of literature. As an official sponsor of the festival, the school welcomed a number of authors and illustrators into their classes, where they ran creative workshops for students throughout the day leading up to the evening event.
Covering 450 m2, the Discovery World Library incorporates both traditional paper books and modern e-books in a spacious area dedicated to reading for pleasure and exploring the world we live in. Addressing an audience of students, parents and local dignitaries, Audrey Peverelli, Director of the school, said, “Reading and communication are means or tools for discovering the world we live in, and indeed other worlds. We are here tonight to celebrate both. One of my favorite contemporary authors, Douglas Kennedy, we have the great privilege of having with us tonight.”
An integral part of the learning process at GEMS, the World Language Learning Centre (WLLC) was inaugurated on the same evening. Adopting a unique and innovative approach to language learning, the WLLC uses a blend of theatrical tools to helps students learn a wide range of languages including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Mandarin – with Arabic and Russian soon to be added to the list.
The center is open not only to children studying at the school, and their parents, but also students in the wider community. Local businesses, keen to encourage their staff to improve their language skills, are particularly welcome at the center, with classes running during the day, after-school and in the evenings during the academic year. Courses lead to a wide range of internationally-recognized qualifications: in English these include the Cambridge English examinations and LAMDA Communication examinations; in French they are DELF and DAFL.
Dean Marriott, Director of WLLC, told knowitall.ch, “In my experience, the best way for students to learn a new language is through active participation, that is to say through movement and dialogue and, importantly, by having fun! Our theatrically-based courses encourage students to practise their new language skills through role-play, improving their confidence by interacting with other students on their course.”
He continued,”At Etoy we are lucky to have the very latest, state-of-the-art facilities for both language learning and drama – so students in our TV recording studio or radio station can have hours of fun getting into their characters without even realizing they are learning a language!”
Languages are taught in small teaching groups up to a maximum of 10 students per class. Qualified and experienced native speakers run classes for 60, 90 or 120 minutes per week up to a maximum of 60 hours language learning per year (based on 30 weeks tuition). While many of the courses have officially started, it is still possible to register for a new course online (email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), by telephone (021 964 18 18), or in person at the main reception every Tuesday and Thursday during term time between 18h00 and 19h00. Click here to view the full course schedule, along with class times and course fees.
GEMS World Academy first opened its doors to students in September 2013. The school currently offers places for students between the ages of 2 and 16, which will gradually be extended to age 18. The school is a candidate to the internationally-acclaimed IB programme, including the Primary Years Programme for ages 5 to 12, and the Middle Years Programme for ages 11 to 16. As the school rolls out classes to ages 17 and 18, it also plans to offer the IB Diploma Programme and Career-related Certificate.
GEMS World Academy – Etoy International School
La Tuilière 18
1163 Etoy
Vaud
021 964 18 18
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.gemsworldacademy-etoy.com
