Through the OKAN operation (Reception education for foreign-language youth) of St. Martin’s Schools Ypres, we provide you with a warm welcome as a foreign-language newcomer. We see in you a unique individual who can and may be himself.

In the secure and green environment of Holy Family, we want to set out with you to discover your talents and allow them to flourish. We strive for you to become self-reliant and build the self-confidence necessary to find your place in our society.

Dutch and general education

We want to teach you to understand, speak and write Dutch at your own pace in real-life contexts. To prepare you for a smooth start in further education, we also provide subject-specific language learning in the areas of math, science, social studies and French. Digital skills are thereby functionally integrated. With the subjects of religion, sports and images, we want to further stimulate your growth as a multifaceted human being.

The classes are embedded within the broad and varied course of study offered by our school community. We value diversity and mutual respect, and purposefully pursue connection and interaction with regular education students. Therefore, our OKAN operation is integrated as much as possible within the daily learning and living environment of Holy Family. After all, your presence also enriches the entire school.

We accomplish all of this with a diverse, multidisciplinary and flexible team that is genuinely interested in your lifestyle. In close consultation with parents and guardians, we offer you individually tailored care. We strive to make good agreements and delineate boundaries where necessary. At the same time, we also give you the space to make mistakes and learn from them. Thus, we prepare you in every way to start smoothly in further education or in the job market.

Interactions

Within OKAN SMSI, we are very much committed to meeting with regular education students. This is done within the various schools of the comprehensive school. This provides a unique opportunity for OKAN students to practice their Dutch with peers. In this way, regular students are introduced to peers from around the world.