The ALPHA Reform in Luxembourg: What's Changing for Your Child

A small revolution is brewing in Luxembourg’s elementary schools. With the “ALPHA – zesumme wuessen” reform, parents will now be able to choose whether their child learns to read and write in French or German. This is a major development in a country where families speak many languages at home.

For expat families, this reform could change the way they approach their children’s education in Luxembourg’s public school system. Until now, reading and writing were taught primarily in German, which could pose a significant obstacle for some children.

But in practical terms, when does the reform take effect? Who can choose French? And what about learning other languages? Here’s what you need to know to confidently prepare for your child’s schooling.

What is the ALPHA – zesumme wuessen reform?

In Luxembourg, elementary schools serve children whose family languages are very diverse. Some speak Luxembourgish or German, others French, Portuguese, English, or yet another language.

However, until now, all students in the traditional elementary school system were required to learn to read and write primarily in German, regardless of their linguistic background.

The ALPHA reform introduces a new approach: allowing each child to begin their foundational learning in the language that is most accessible to them, either French or German.

The goal is therefore not to replace German with French, nor to create two separate school systems. Rather, it is to better take into account children’s language skills as they begin to learn to read, write, and do math.

To understand the structure of the different school cycles and how the public school system works, consult our guide to the Luxembourg primary school system.

Why is this reform important for expat families?

For many parents moving to Luxembourg, the language issue is a key factor in choosing a school. Should they enroll their child in the Luxembourg public school system, an international school, or a school offering a different curriculum?

The prospect of having to learn to read in German could be particularly concerning for families whose children are growing up in a French-speaking environment.

With ALPHA, the public elementary school system becomes more accessible to a diverse range of linguistic backgrounds. A child who already has sufficient proficiency in French will be able to begin learning to read and write in that language, while continuing to learn the other languages taught in the Luxembourg education system.

However, this reform does not mean that the entire school curriculum will now be taught in French. Multilingualism remains at the heart of the Luxembourg education system.

When does the ALPHA reform take effect?

Following a pilot program launched in 2022 at four pilot schools, the reform was adopted in December 2025. Its full implementation will begin during the 2026–2027 school year and will continue gradually through the 2032–2033 school year.

Note regarding the timeline: The start of the 2026 school year does not mark the immediate beginning of French reading instruction for all children. Implementation is gradual and depends on the grade level the student is in.

How do parents choose between French and German?

This is probably the most important question for the families involved.

The choice of the language for literacy instruction is up to the parents, but it is made in consultation with the teachers. The teachingstaff assesses the child’s language skills and supports the family in making their decision.

The choice depends on the child’s skills, not their nationality

A child with French citizenship is not automatically placed in a French literacy program. Similarly, a child from Luxembourg may be eligible for this option if their language profile warrants it.

What matters most is the child’s ability to understand the language in which they will learn to read and write.

A child raised in a multilingual family may, for example, be more comfortable in French than in German, even if neither of these two languages is the only one spoken at home.

Support Provided by Teachers

During Cycle 1.2, parents have the opportunity to discuss matters with the teaching staff to better understand their child’s language abilities and the implications of the proposed choice.

These discussions allow parents to make a decision based on the child’s actual needs rather than on the language the parents would prefer the child to master in the future.

How will classes be organized with two languages of instruction?

The reform does not call for permanently separating French-speaking and German-speaking children into two different schools.

Students will continue to be part of a single class. For certain learning activities, they will join a group corresponding to their literacy language:

• ALPHA FR: initial instruction in reading and writing in French.
• ALPHA DE: initial instruction in reading and writing in German.

Mathematics is also taught in the chosen language in Cycles 2 and 3, with organizational arrangements that may vary by school.

The children come together for other shared activities and lessons. Luxembourgish continues to play an important role in classroom life and in interactions among students.

What happens in Cycle 4?

Starting in Cycle 4, literacy groups are no longer maintained. Students once again attend classes together, with a focus on consolidating their skills in French and German.

This structure aims to balance two objectives: facilitating early learning and maintaining a shared educational path through high school.

Will children who have learned to read and write in French continue to learn German?

Yes, and this is a crucial point to understand. Choosing French as the language of literacy instruction does not mean giving up on learning German.

Children in the ALPHA FR group begin to discover spoken German as early as Cycle 2. Instruction in German is then reinforced in Cycle 3 to gradually develop the skills necessary for their continued education.

Conversely, students who have learned to read and write in German receive tailored instruction in French.

The goal is for all students to have a sufficiently solid foundation in both languages by the end of elementary school, even if their individual levels are not necessarily the same.

And what about Luxembourgish?

Luxembourgish remains an essential language in public schools. It allows children to communicate with one another, participate in classroom life, and integrate more easily into their daily environment.

It continues to be used in many school activities, regardless of the language chosen for literacy instruction.

The ALPHA reform therefore does not transform elementary school into an exclusively French- or German-speaking school: it adapts early learning while maintaining the multilingual nature of the system.

What are the initial results of the ALPHA pilot program?

Before being rolled out on a large scale, the reform was tested for several years in four elementary schools. The evaluations published in July 2026 show encouraging results.

Teachers’ observations and feedback from families highlight, in particular, increased motivation among certain students, more active participation in learning, and easier parental involvement when parents have a better understanding of the language used at school.

These results should nevertheless be interpreted with caution. The evaluations still cover a limited number of students, and some performance differences remain modest or difficult to attribute precisely to the reform.

Scientific monitoring will continue throughout the roll-out period.

Can the ALPHA reform influence the choice between public and international schools?

For a family arriving in Luxembourg with young children, the choice of school often depends on several criteria: languages spoken at home, the children’s ages, the anticipated length of stay, educational goals, and a possible return to the country of origin.

The ALPHA reform provides an additional argument in favor of the public elementary school system for families whose children have a good grasp of French but are less familiar with German.

However, it does not eliminate all differences between educational pathways. The Luxembourg primary school system retains its unique linguistic and pedagogical characteristics, which must be taken into account in a family’s long-term plans.

For children arriving mid-school year, other support and orientation measures may also be necessary. Find useful information in our guide on academic support and orientation for students newly arrived in Luxembourg.

How can you prepare your child and make the right choice?

You don’t need to turn your home into a classroom to prepare for the upcoming reform. The key is to understand your child’s needs and maintain regular communication with their school.

Here are some helpful tips to consider before choosing a language for literacy instruction.

The best choice is not necessarily the language considered most useful professionally. Above all, it is the one that allows your child to begin their education with a sufficiently solid language foundation.

FAQ: Parents’ Questions About the ALPHA Reform

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions from families considering enrolling their children in the Luxembourg primary school system.

Can we choose French if our child doesn’t speak French at home?

Yes, if their French skills are sufficient to make it a suitable language of instruction. The decision depends on the child’s language profile, not on their nationality or solely on the language spoken at home. Teachers work with parents to assess this.

Is choosing French or German mandatory?

The parents of the students concerned must choose one of the two languages of instruction. This is not an option that allows them to avoid learning the other language: both are taught throughout the student’s schooling.

Will my child be able to change their literacy language?

In principle, the choice is final. Special circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the relevant school authorities, particularly for certain children who are newcomers or have specific educational needs.

What happens if we move to another municipality in Luxembourg?

Your child will continue to use the same language for literacy instruction. The receiving school and the regional school authorities will ensure continuity in your child’s educational path at the new school.

Does the reform also apply to children already enrolled in school?

The reform is being rolled out gradually, starting with children in Cycle 1.2 during the 2026–2027 school year. Students in other cycles will therefore not automatically change their language of instruction at that time.

Will children who have been taught to read and write in French be able to enroll in a Luxembourg high school afterward?

Yes. The reform is designed to allow students to continue their education in the Luxembourg secondary school system. Placement will depend on each student’s skills and academic background, just as it does for other students.

To understand the different options, see our guide to high schools and secondary education in Luxembourg.

A New Opportunity for Families Choosing the Luxembourg School System

By allowing children to begin reading and writing in French or German, the ALPHA reform addresses an important reality in Luxembourg: not all students arrive at school with the same language background.

For expatriate families, it opens up new opportunities and can make the public elementary school system more accessible. It also encourages a different way of thinking about school choice: beyond the language used during the early years, it’s the child’s entire educational journey that must be considered.

Are you considering enrolling your child in public school? Take the time to learn how Luxembourg’s elementary education system works and to talk with the educational staff in your municipality.

Learn More

Check out our guides to help you prepare for your children’s schooling in Luxembourg:

• Understanding the Luxembourg Primary Education System
• Welcoming and Supporting Newly Arrived Children
• Discovering International Schools and High Schools in Luxembourg

For official procedures and information sessions, please also visit the ALPHA website for parents.