Language Offerings

Early Learning Center (3K - 4K)

Research shows that the earlier children are exposed to language in this way, the easier it is for them to learn it but also develop tangible cognitive benefits.

In our Early Learning Center (ELC), all students participate in one of our four full language immersion program. Families choose from Chinese, French, German and Spanish. All day the teachers immerse students in learning through play in that chosen language.

dividerPrevious language experience

No previous experience in the language is required at this age.

 

Primary Learning Center (5K - Grade 5)

In the Primary Learning Center, from 5K to Grade 5, we deliver the rigorous, inquiry-based PYP curriculum in English and one other language - either Chinese, French, German, or Spanish. All faculty are native speakers or have bilingual proficiency in the language they are teaching.

We have low student-teacher ratios by having either two adults in the classroom or by teaching in small groups based on students' language experience and ability.  The teachers provide students with personalized attention, to ensure each child is both adequately challenged and supported.

In French, German and Spanish it is a 50/50 split between days when all teaching is in English (A days) or B days, when all instruction is in the other chosen language.

In our Chinese program, this split is 70% English and 30% Chinese.divider

Previous language experience

In French, German and Spanish, up until around mid way through Grade 1, no previous language experience is necessary. After that point, our students are required to have a certain skill level in order to be able to manage the dual language curriculum. Each student is assessed individually.

In our Chinese program we accept students with no previous Chinese experience all the way through Primary School.

There are also additional after school language clubs - for heritage languages and other language development offerings. Currently we have Arabic, Dutch,Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Farsi and Turkish afterschool programs.

Students entering Middle School have varied language backgrounds. Some come directly from our dual language Primary School program or are already multilingual, while others come without any second language experience.

We offer many options to allow students to develop their language ability to their own highest potential. Depending on a student’s language level, they have a range of choices, from beginner's to advance Chinese, French, German or Spanish.

Every student in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, which spans Grades 6 - 10, has the opportunity to learn at least one additional language and all have the option to learn two.

In addition, those who are fluent or have a high skill level in French, German or Spanish are eligible to participate in some non-acquisition classes taught in those languages - for example, they can take Literature or Individuals & Societies classes in German.

Those who have other home languages, such as Arabic, Russian, Swedish or Farsi, can choose a Self Taught School Supported Language class option.

All the language acquisition classes are grouped into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and students will move between these depending on their progress.

No prior language experience is needed before students join the IB Diploma Program. Language options exist for students of all experience levels, from beginners to bilingual or multilingual students.
 
For students who have a strong academic background in at least two languages, we have several options for obtaining a bilingual or even trilingual IB Diploma.

The cumulative focus on language means a significant proportion of our seniors graduate with a bilingual IB Diploma.

Every student in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which spans Grades 11 & 12, has the opportunity to learn at least one additional language and all have the option to learn two.

In these grades, students can continue developing their language skills at a higher level through their Diploma Program course choices, or if they are new to language learning or wish to try something new, they can take a beginner’s level course in German, German ab initio.