The benefits of a child learning a second or even third language are well documented. So it’s good news that Singapore has a wide variety of school language programmes for students, especially for those who’d like to learn Chinese as a second language. Find out more about what you can expect from these Chinese language programmes or other school language programmes for Mandarin, French, German, Spanish.
Canadian International School
What’s on offer
As a school that’s committed to promoting multilingualism, the Canadian International School (CIS) offers a variety of language pathways: daily Chinese and French classes from Grade 1 onwards, and Chinese, French, Spanish and English lessons for Grades 7 to 12. Students can also choose to expand their linguistic skills in the after-school paid language programme, which offers weekly lessons in Chinese, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Dutch and more.
Hoping to raise children who are bicultural and bi-literate? The CIS bilingual programme is available in Chinese-English (pre-kindergarten to Grade 6) and French-English (Grades 1 to 5, at Lakeside only). Both programmes feature a curriculum fully aligned to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. If English is not your child’s first language, the school also supports students with its English Language Learner programme, where students develop their English literacy skills at their own pace.
An inside look
Two highly experienced educators, an English teacher and a French or Chinese teacher, teach the bilingual programmes. Using the CIS inquiry-based approach, equal exposure to both languages encourages students to develop language proficiency and critical thinking and creative problem solving. Students are also immersed in a variety of cultural experiences, such as celebrating and sharing their knowledge of the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hear from a parent and student
“I see Max maturing in his learning since joining the Chinese-English bilingual programme in pre-kindergarten six years ago. He takes a lot of pride in his ability to communicate in Chinese.” – Bianca, parent of Maxime, Grade 3
“I love that my French-English bilingual classes have two very nice teachers that are always here to help us. They explain all the things carefully and slowly so we can understand. The teachers make everything fun and interesting for you.” – Nicole, Grade 3
Tanjong Katong Campus, 371 Tanjong Katong Road
Lakeside Campus, 7 Jurong West Street 41
cis.edu.sg
White Lodge International Preschool & Childcare
What’s on offer
White Lodge’s fun-filled Mandarin curriculum ensures that little ones have a holistic exposure of language, culture and history. It aims to provide children with a firm foundation and an enthusiasm for learning Mandarin as a second language. The curriculum for their Mandarin language programme is based on the Singapore Kindergarten and Primary School framework to ensure the best possible preparation for both expatriate and local children.
An inside look
White Lodge takes a methodical approach in building a good foundation in Mandarin. Dedicated Mandarin teachers run daily lessons and enrichment Mandarin classes in the mornings and afternoons for children aged 18 months to six and a half years. The pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes start with listening stations to become familiar with the language. Reading and writing in Mandarin are extended to the older children, equipping them with greater language skills as they move on to primary school. All levels are exposed to quality Mandarin children’s literature, which nurtures the child’s language appreciation and inspires their imagination. Children also experience a diverse range of interactive classroom activities including storytelling, singing, play-acting, listening, reading, writing, art projects, movement and performances.
Hear from a parent
“The Mandarin language 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
4 preschools and 4 childcare locations islandwide
6255 4230 | whitelodge.education
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 programmes 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 teachers at TGI are very supportive towards non-native students. We were surprised when we heard that our son was the champion of the first Chinese Language Festival by winning three prizes in four categories. As we aren’t native Chinese speakers and cannot communicate in basic Chinese, this shows that the teachers have helped build his knowledge and vocabulary in school.” – Han Lin Aung
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
St. Joseph’s Institution International
What’s on offer
SJI International has a culturally and linguistically diverse community. In Elementary School, Mandarin language and Chinese culture lessons take place daily for all classes. Spanish is another language option for Grades 5 and 6; the course is designed for beginners. The High School curriculum includes Chinese, Tamil, Malay, Indonesian, Hindi and Spanish.
Students whose language is not taught as part of the mainstream curriculum can maintain and develop their home language through the parent-funded Home Language Programme (HLP). The languages currently on offer are Japanese, Korean, French, Thai, Vietnamese, German, Russian and Italian. This Additive Bilingualism experience is done in conjunction with developing their English skills. The HLP is also for students who have a strong cultural connection to another language; and it caters for students who are studying an MOE Mother Tongue-in-lieu language. The aim of HLP is to provide a pathway for students through to the IB Diploma, and in most cases, to study two first languages, therefore achieving a Bilingual Diploma.
An inside look
There’s a full-time Mandarin-speaking assistant in all the Early Years classrooms who supports the student’s language development throughout the day. The HLP stands out from those of other international schools as the lessons are integrated into the curriculum for two lessons per week, instead of taking place after school as a CCA. The students are immersed in the target language through various activities that also cover the cultural and literary aspects.
Hear from a student
“Studying my home language French in school has been eye-opening as I get to rediscover my home culture and language.” – Emma Parrot, Grade 11
490 Thomson Road
6353 9383 | sji-international.com.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
GESS – International School
What’s on offer
There is a great emphasis on supporting students’ home languages and helping them maintain their cultural identity and ties at GESS. There are three integrated mother tongue programmes in German, Dutch and Danish. Students can study these languages from Grade 1 all the way to the IB diploma level. From Grade 6 onwards, the school offers French, Spanish and Mandarin language programmes for students who want to acquire a third language.
Students in Grade 1 to 5 can also participate in the Language Enrichment Programme. It’s an immersive learning programme for children who have age-appropriate fluency in languages such as Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean and more. For students who need help with fluency and academic English, the school provides a comprehensive language support programme in English called English as an Additional Language (EAL).
An inside look
Qualified language teachers teach all language classes at GESS. Languages are taught within larger culture contexts to help students to truly appreciate a language and learn it with intent. Teachers will often incorporate immersive activities like cooking, cultural celebrations, games, storytelling, art, drama and more to create an interactive learning experience.
2 Dairy Farm Lane
6469 1131 | gess.sg
Tanglin Trust School
What’s on offer
Tanglin Trust School encourages all students who speak a language other than English to continue developing their skills in school. Mandarin is taught within the curriculum of the Infant and Junior School, with enrichment classes in smaller groups for those with a higher competency. Tuition is also provided for French, Hindi and Portuguese native speakers this year in the Junior School. The Senior School has a two-tiered mother tongue programme: French, Mandarin and Spanish core languages within the curriculum, and weekly co-curriculum classes for non-core languages Hindi, Russian, Japanese and Portuguese.
There is diversity and strength in languages at Tanglin. In a recent Fobisia Online Languages Competition, which gives entry to the World Competition taking place at the same time, Tanglin students competing in core languages placed first for Latin, fifth for Chinese and Spanish, and sixth for French. Other students also competed in Indonesian, Russian, Italian, German, Japanese, Malay and Arabic languages. Some highlights include placing first overall in the Malay World Competition (Singapore category), second in the Russian and Indonesian FOBISIA categories and third in the Arabic World Competition (Singapore category).
An inside look
Experienced language teachers and teacher assistants lead the language programme. To equip students for using languages in real life, they have a variety of practice and technology use that provide a stronger context and understanding of the cultural constructs behind the languages. Activities include speaking competitions, cooking classes, French breakfasts, film evenings, Spanish tapas, cultural carousels and, outside of pandemic restrictions, 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
Here’s our huge guide to international schools in Singapore and tips on choosing an international school here.
