Knowing more than one language well has many benefits, including the potential to study, work and live abroad. Let your child make the most of their expat lifestyle now by picking up new languages at school that might just come in useful in the future. With many preschools and international schools in Singapore offering a wide variety of languages – Mandarin, French, German, Spanish and more – parents are really spoilt for choice.
Find out more about what you can expect from the language programmes below.
Canadian International School
What’s on offer
When it comes to languages, students at the Canadian International School can pick up Chinese, French, Spanish (from Grade 1 onwards) and Japanese (in Grades 11 and 12 for native speakers only). The school also has a popular Chinese-English bilingual programme from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 and a French-English bilingual programme from Grade 1 to 4. The curriculum for both bilingual programmes is fully aligned to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
An inside look
In the school’s bilingual programmes, there are two qualified teachers for each class – one English-speaking teacher and one either French- or Chinese-speaking teacher. With inquiry-based instruction in classes, and using authentic materials such as songs, stories, websites and even tweets, students engage in hands-on activities like roleplay, cooking and quizzes. They also learn to appreciate other cultures by performing and celebrating festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hear from a student
“I like the Chinese-English bilingual programme a lot. Both Grade 6 classes are really close – we all bond well. Our teachers are also always there to help us when we need it, and they make lessons fun in a really unique way.” – Lauren, Grade 6
Tanjong Katong Campus, 371 Tanjong Katong Road
Lakeside Campus, 7 Jurong West Street 41
cis.edu.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International
What’s on offer
In the Elementary School at SJI International, Chinese is offered as a compulsory subject. Spanish has been recently added as an option for Upper Elementary School students (Grades 5 and 6). At the High School, the school believes that it’s crucial for students to maintain their home language to develop linguistic and cultural ties to their home country. Their language philosophy strongly encourages additive bilingualism, rather than subtractive bilingualism. The Home Language Programme offers students an opportunity to study their home language; it currently includes Japanese, Korean, French, Thai, German, Vietnamese and Hindi. As classes are small, additional fees are chargeable.
An inside look
Students can learn their home language at either a first or second language level, and the classes provide a pathway through to the IB Diploma. Students have face-to-face lessons with their teachers twice a week, and one period of self-study in the library. During class times, students take part in group work, and discuss authentic materials from the home language culture and other literature materials.
Hear from a student
“Studying my home language in school has been eye-opening as I get to rediscover my home culture and language.” – Emma Parrot, Grade 10
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.sg
The Grange Institution
What’s on offer
The Grange Institution values students’ native and additional language development. In addition to the Cambridge Primary English lessons, students can choose either Mandarin Foreign Language, Japanese Mother Tongue Language (native language maintenance) or Additional English Language (for students who need extra support). The school is considering running language programmes for parents as well.
An inside look
The language programme at The Grange aims to help students acquire language skills and knowledge, while reinforcing learning objectives, fostering self-learning and cooperation abilities, and developing effective learning strategies and appropriate use of languages in a multicultural community. The curriculum is organised around listening, speaking, reading and writing, offering authentic opportunities and interdisciplinary links with IPC Units of Learning. Classes are delivered through both teacher-directed and collaborative learning opportunities. Students apply their learning through engaging and fun activities such as games, role plays, interviewing people in the community and class discussions.
Hear from parents
“The Additional English Language teacher conducts her classes to suit six-year-old Ayako’s pace of learning using engaging methods. The small class size also helps build her confidence in the language. Ayako can now speak confidently in English and we’re very satisfied with her progress! Friends always share that their child’s English language classes at school cost extra, but not at The Grange.” – Teppei and Yuko Kuritani
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
ELFA Preschool
What’s on offer
ELFA Preschool adopts an integrated thematic approach, combining the best of methodologies from China and Singapore to develop children’s language skills. The bilingual Chinese-English preschool places a strong emphasis on the Chinese language and aims to hone children’s literacy skills and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. Pre-nursery and nursery levels are given higher exposure to Mandarin to build a strong foundation in the language. At the kindergarten level, a good mix of English and Mandarin lessons are conducted to facilitate bridging for primary school education. Children are also benchmarked against the HSK-YCT Level 2 assessment level to ensure their readiness for Chinese in primary school.
An inside look
Teachers plan fun interactive activities that reinforce children’s learning. Through these meaningful interactions, children can apply what they learn in real-life situations. There are also enrichment programmes such as Chinese speech and drama and creative art, which fuses Eastern and Western art techniques. Through these programmes, children develop communication skills, self-confidence and composure.
Hear from a parent
“Thank you to the principal and teachers at ELFA for creating a warm and nurturing environment for the children. The numerous activities around various themes help to build up their knowledge and vocabulary. It’s great having the spelling and test components to prepare them for primary education. Great job.” – Karen
Three locations islandwide
elfapreschools.com/singapore
Tanglin Trust School
What’s on offer
Tanglin Trust School encourages all students who speak a language other than English at home to continue developing their skills in school. At the Infant and Junior School, Mandarin is taught within the curriculum. For those with a higher competency, there are enrichment classes in smaller groups. In the Junior School, there is also tuition for native speakers (French, Hindi and Portuguese this year, depending on demand). Over at the Senior School, there is a two-tiered mother-tongue programme: core languages (French, Mandarin and Spanish within the curriculum) and non-core language (weekly co-curriculum classes for Hindi, Russian, Japanese and Portuguese this year). The mother-tongue provision is a hybrid programme taught by external specialists using a Tanglin-approved curriculum that leads to a First Language Cambridge Examination.
An inside look
Led by experienced language teachers and teacher assistants, the language programme equips students to use languages in real life and understand the cultural constructs behind them. Variety of practice and technology is key to enhance and provide a stronger context. Activities include speaking competitions, cooking classes, French breakfasts, film evenings, Spanish tapas, cultural carousels, trips to China and homestays in France and Spain.
Hear from a student
“Tanglin was formative in my love of languages. It was an environment that supported my language learning. I was able to study two languages from Year 7 and have great teachers who were talented and enthusiastic enough to create a real love of European languages.” – Lilly McConnell, Tanglin alumna (current Head of Spanish at Blenheim High School, Epsom, UK)
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
Singapore American School
What’s on offer
At the Singapore American School, students are able to study languages including Chinese, Spanish and French. Chinese and Spanish are available from the early years while French is offered from Sixth Grade. Students have language opportunities integrated into every moment, allowing them to gain high-level mastery of the language and become engaged global citizens. The school also has a Chinese Immersion programme that operates using a sliding scale model, starting with full immersion in Kindergarten and 75/25 instruction model in first grade. 75 percent of a student’s day is delivered in Chinese through core classes, while lessons in English, music, art, and PE constitute 25 percent of English instruction. Students eligible and enrolled in these grade levels are native English speakers who are learning Chinese. A number of parents who have taken their families to China have great tales to tell of their five- and six-year-olds helping with bookings, ordering meals and more.
An inside look
The immersion classes participate in the same annual excursions as the other grade level classes. Kindergarten classes visit a nearby nursing home as part of their service learning and all classes visit Chinatown just before Chinese New Year as part of Social Studies and learning about important festivals. Opportunities abound in after school activities, including calligraphy, paper cutting, wushu, martial arts classes and even Junior Journalists where students produce their own trilingual magazine in English, Chinese, and Spanish.
Hear from a parent
“We didn’t set out to look for a Chinese immersion programme for our younger kids, but after seeing it in action, we were very impressed. It’s amazing to see our First Grader read chapter books in Mandarin and write her own realistic fiction series using Chinese characters.” – Aisha Oravec
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
White Lodge International Preschool & Childcare
What’s on offer
At White Lodge, children aged 18 months to six and a half years are given the opportunity to learn Mandarin as part of the curriculum. Dedicated Mandarin teachers run daily lessons and also enrichment Mandarin classes in the mornings and afternoons. White Lodge Loewen Gardens also offers Mandarin bilingual classes for children aged two to four.
An inside look
Based on the Singapore Kindergarten and Primary School frameworks, the fun-filled Mandarin curriculum aims to offer exposure to language, culture and history. The preschool offers Messy Mixed Media, parent and child classes, with 15-minute Mandarin sessions. For older children, their exposure to learning Mandarin is also extended to reading and writing. Classroom activities include storytelling, singing, play-acting, listening, reading, writing, art projects, movement and performances. At the annual Art Exhibition and Big Sing event, some kindergarten children performed “The Tones Song” and “Clap Along with Me” in Mandarin for their families. Mandarin listening stations have also been introduced in the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes where children listen to stories while following the words on the page in front of them. All students are given a good foundation of continued learning of Mandarin as a second language or a foreign language.
Hear from a parent
“The language immersion programme is excellent at White Lodge. Seeing five-year-old Riley’s learnings during schooling from home gave us a better understanding of how much she knows and has learnt thus far. We love that Riley and her brother Billy (since graduated) were learning Mandarin every day, keeping it fresh and easier to keep up with.” – Lisa Bower
5 preschools and 3 childcare locations islandwide
6255 4230 | whitelodge.education
Overseas Family School
What’s on offer
Overseas Family School offers an extensive and immersive Mother Tongue language programme. In addition to offering 14 Mother Tongue languages (Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish) from Kindergarten to Middle School, students also have Mother Tongue classes four times a week during school hours as part of the main curriculum. Foreign language study programmes are also available.
An inside look
The OFS Mother Tongue programme allows students to immerse themselves thoroughly in the language and culture of their home country, maintaining native-level language proficiency for seamless reintegration. In addition to reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, students study the literature and celebrate the unique customs of their home countries to keep in touch with their roots. It is not unusual for students to celebrate holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Santa Lucia, Xin Nian and Dia de Muertos.
Hear from parents
“It’s only been two months since we left Singapore, but it is more than enough to confirm that both Alejandra and Carmen are fitting in very well in their new Spanish school. In fact, they are getting very good marks in all subjects, even when starting in the middle of the school calendar. Alejandra and Carmen are getting outstanding marks in Spanish language. Needless to say, their current teachers are extremely surprised that after five years abroad they are able to get these marks as kids coming from international experience usually require extra support. Teacher Ana Somalo can feel proud about the great job done!” – The Fernandez-Torrente family
81 Pasir Ris Heights
6738 0211 | ofs.edu.sg
We recommend reading:
How to choose an international school
International schools in Singapore: Huge Guide
