The school is committed to providing students with the best bilingual learning experience.
Looking for an international school that offers an immersive bilingual programme? You’ll be happy to know that XCL World Academy (XWA) has expanded its English-Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme offering to more grade levels!
The bilingual programme was previously offered to XWA students from Pre-K to Grade 2. Starting August 2024, students in Grades 3 to 5 will also have the opportunity to benefit from this programme, too.
What’s XWA’s English-Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme like?
The XWA English-Chinese Bilingual Programme aligns with the principles and philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), focusing on inquiry-based learning, conceptual understanding, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills.
Under the IB PYP framework, concepts and subjects like literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies are interwoven into transdisciplinary units. Throughout the school day, bilingual students actively engage with both languages across various lessons and units. Whether learning English or Mandarin, priority is given to recognising key concepts and mastering core vocabulary in both languages.
Instruction at the XWA bilingual programme isn’t just focused on learning the languages; it’s also about using them effectively. In addition, the programme is designed to accommodate individual student needs in a dynamic learning environment. This methodology challenges students and encourages them to progress towards translanguaging. This means enabling students to think, communicate, inquire, and learn proficiently in both Mandarin and English, thus equipping them with practical language skills for the real world.
In 2023, XWA enhanced its Early Years Bilingual Programme by implementing a new teaching model. Each Early Years classroom is now supported by a bilingual homeroom teacher and a teaching partner who are proficient in English and Mandarin. Instruction is delivered in both languages, helping students to develop their language proficiency more effectively. This approach allows for a seamless transition between languages and fosters a more effective development of language skills among students.
Come August 2024, the school intends to bolster its Primary Years Bilingual Programme by introducing two homeroom teachers in each classroom: one native English speaker and one native Mandarin speaker. This arrangement will ensure personalised and high-quality education for students while ensuring comprehensive pastoral care for their well-being.
XWA’s bilingual programme follows a collaborative co-teaching and co-planning model, so all teachers and teaching partners are involved in lesson preparation and delivery. This unique approach enriches the learning experience for students, who benefit from additional support designed to respond to their individual needs.
What are the standards used in XWA’s English-Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme?
XWA uses the standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages for its English-Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme. This adds greater specificity to the Chinese component of the programme, providing teachers with a clearer understanding of each student’s grasp and proficiency in the language.
Interested families can find out more about XWA’s English-Chinese (Mandarin) Bilingual Programme through its website or speak to its Admissions Team today.
This post is in partnership with XCL World Academy.
