Language Support

The goal for our English learners at HIS is to develop the social and academic language skills necessary to access the mainstream curriculum. Students are immersed in an inclusive, language-rich environment alongside their peers and support is tailored to meet their individual needs. 

Our aim is for all students, regardless of language ability, to participate as fully as possible in all activities and benefit from all opportunities that are on offer throughout the school day. For example, because EAL support is provided to beginner English learners through a flexible and personalized program, this allows for them to participate in our host culture, Vietnamese language classes and/or world language classes (Grade 5) alongside their peers. 

EAL support is delivered via a flexible schedule based around students’ personalized learning progressions. English Language Learners receive this support in a variety of ways. In order to develop their language skills, they work in small groups or individually with their EAL teacher. 

In addition to this, in-class support is provided through a co-teaching model. EAL teachers work closely with homeroom teachers and specialist teachers to deliver an inclusive classroom experience. They collaborate to make joint instructional decisions and share responsibility for student language learning and academic support within the curriculum. Collaboration takes place in the form of co-planning, co-teaching, co-assessing and transparency with regards to students’ goals and learning paths. When more individualised in-class support is required, the EAL teacher works with students in small groups or on a one-to-one basis in the classroom.  

At HIS we value our parent partnership. EAL teachers will be in regular communication with parents through monthly updates, highlighting student support as well as areas to focus on as students work towards their language goals.

Beginner English Support in Secondary (BES)

This program aims to assist students to develop their English language skills so as to access the full [MYP] curriculum. Students are assessed and placed in appropriate additional or parallel classes to the Individuals and Societies classes. There are up to 5 levels, Level1 being emergent. Phase 1 and 2 students will be required to receive BES support. These are small classes [of intensive English study] where students will receive individual attention to support their English language development [in a swift manner. As students progress they will be exited from the BES class when appropriate [and join their cohort in the Individuals and Societies classes]. 

Please note that students are not placed in BES in lieu of their English class. Students will take an English Language class at their Phase level PLUS the additional BES classes during the regularly scheduled I&S classes. This amounts to 10 hours of English each week.