Read all about how Global Indian International School provides academic and social support for students who need additional help with the English language in its Primary Years Programme.
Mastering English can sometimes be tough for children, especially if they come from a non-English speaking background. Global Indian International School’s (GIIS) English language support (ELS) programme for its IB Primary Years Programme students was organically started to help its non-English speaking students to meet the curriculum’s language requirements. It has since developed into a personalised programme that supports all students who have limited proficiency in English according to their individual needs.
What does GIIS’ ELS programme aim to achieve?
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) has a number of unique terms and concepts, like its Units of inquiry and transdisciplinary learning, that may be difficult for students to grasp if they don’t have the necessary language skills. As such, GIIS’ ELS programme aims to help these students develop language skills in reading, speaking, and writing so they may access the curriculum together with their peers. The programme also helps students understand the concepts that are integral to the curriculum.
Not only does this allow students to learn more effectively, it also helps them excel socially. With stronger English language skills, students can then communicate and participate in regular classes together with their classmates.
How is the ELS programme conducted?
GIIS’ ELS teachers provide differentiated instruction to students based on their proficiency, ability, and preferred mode of learning. In general, the teachers adopt both a pull-out and push-in approach.
The pull-out approach applies to Grade 1 to 3 PYP students who have specialised ELS classes. These students are grouped together with peers according to their age, grade, and skill level. Each class has a maximum of six students, and takes place twice a week to cater to each student’s individual language needs.
ELS students participate in their regular classes, where the push-in approach is implemented. ELS teachers will join their Grade 1-3 students’ Unit of Inquiry class once a week to check on their interaction with peers and teachers. When needed, the ELS teacher will also help fill in the gaps in the student’s understanding of the lesson or interactions. This approach is done more often (up to three times a week, or more) for students in Grades 4 and 5, where more complex concepts are discussed.
As Ms. Huixian Feng (Anne), the ELS teacher at GIIS for Grades 4 and 5, says, “We work closely with the PYP teachers of each grade level during curriculum planning so that we can better prepare our students for the upcoming units. I also share topic-specific vocabulary lists with my students. Sometimes during push-in sessions, I find that a number of ELS students from different classes struggle with a complicated concept. I will then organise a separate group session with these students to clarify these concepts in detail and support their understanding.”
How effective is the programme?
Students are observed to show significant improvement in their language skills within three to four months of starting the programme. Parents and teachers noticed that their children can better integrate and interact with their peers, as well as participate more in PYP-related activities.
What’s more encouraging is that ELS students demonstrate confidence in their learning, and are comfortable with themselves. As Ms. Bishara Ibrahim, ELS teacher for Grades 1 to 3, says, “My students are comfortable to be themselves because they are learning with peers of their own proficiency level. They can make mistakes when reading, don’t get laughed at for wrong pronunciation, and I don’t correct them. I wait until they finish and read it again with them so that they understand if and where they need to change anything.”
How can students at GIIS access this programme?
Students with limited English proficiency will be invited to take an assessment to gauge their level of proficiency. PYP teachers may also refer students whom they think will benefit from the programme to the ELS team for evaluation.
Parents won’t need to fork out additional fees for this programme as GIIS’ tuition fees are already inclusive of the ELS programme. You can speak to GIIS’ Admission team to find out more.
This post is in partnership with Global Indian International School.