Trilingual school in Madrid:
French, Spanish, and English starting in preschool
The three languages coexist naturally throughout the school day starting at age three, when the brain is neurologically ready to absorb them effortlessly and without confusion.
French
Primary language of instruction. It is used in all guided activities, routines, and classroom learning.
English
A third language introduced starting at age 3 through play, music, and specific sessions with a native-speaking teacher.
Spanish
Language of the local environment and culture. Featured in social interaction, early literacy, and content related to Spain.
Why Trilingual Immersion Works Best in Preschool
The critical window for language acquisition opens between the ages of 0 and 7. During this period, a child’s brain exhibits exceptional plasticity: it can acquire multiple language systems simultaneously without interference, using the same mechanisms it uses to learn its native language. After age 7, this process becomes more conscious, more effortful, and less fluid.
Immersion is not the same as exposure. It’s not enough to listen to a language for a few hours a week. Total immersion in French—combined with the active use of Spanish and English—ensures that children build solid linguistic structures in all three languages, not just superficial vocabulary.
Before the age of 7, the brain absorbs languages without the cognitive filter that emerges in late childhood and adolescence.
Multilingual children develop greater mental flexibility, better inhibitory control, and a longer attention span.
Early acquisition allows children to internalize the phonemes specific to each language, something that becomes very difficult after age 10.
How We Distribute the 3 Languages Throughout the Day
The key to effective trilingual immersion lies not in the number of hours devoted to each language, but in the consistency of the context in which each language is used. At École Pomme d'Api, we follow the principle of contextual language separation: each language has its own time, its own teacher, and its own type of activity. Children learn to switch to the appropriate language automatically.
French
50%
Spanish
30%
English
20%
What Is Expected of a Child at Ages 3, 4, and 5
Trilingual immersion is a gradual process. Each grade level has its own language milestones, tailored to the child's cognitive and emotional development. The following is a general guide to what most students achieve by the end of each stage
Preschool
- Understands basic instructions in French and responds with gestures or single words.
- Practice songs, routines, and everyday phrases in French with natural pronunciation.
- He speaks Spanish fluently during free play and at mealtimes.
- Recognizes basic English vocabulary: colors, numbers, greetings, and animals.
Cross-section
- Form simple sentences in French to express needs, opinions, and emotions.
- Actively participate in assemblies, storytelling, and role-playing games in French.
- The introduction to reading and writing in Spanish begins with phonological awareness.
- Engage in simple exchanges in English with the native-speaking teacher: questions, answers, and games.
Senior Class
- He communicates fluently in French: he narrates, argues, and describes using a wide range of vocabulary.
- Formal instruction in reading and writing in French begins, in preparation for CP (elementary school).
- He reads and writes fluently in Spanish. He consciously distinguishes between the two languages.
- Understands and produces complete sentences in English. Participates in short plays and presentations.
These milestones are for guidance only. Every child learns language at their own pace, and our team provides personalized support to guide each child through the process without comparisons or pressure.
Why don't you come see us?
What better way to find out if the school is the right fit for your child than by coming to visit on a weekday, when you can see firsthand the magic that happens at the school.
Schedule a visit to the school