New English and Chinese Bilingual Track in preschool

Starting in January next year, SJI International Preschool will offer a new Two-Way Immersion Bilingual Track in English and Chinese. DR GARY GUO, Director of the school’s Bilingual Programme, shares more about this exciting change to their for early childhood education programme.

Tell us about the exciting changes at SJI International Preschool kicking off in 2027.

Families will be able to choose between two distinct bilingual tracks. There’s our established Co-Teaching Bilingual Track, where English and Chinese educators work collaboratively in the same classroom throughout the day. For our new Two-Way Immersion Bilingual Track, children experience dedicated English and Chinese learning on alternate days, with each day conducted in one language.

Both share the same inquiry-based approach and commitment to building strong foundations in English and Chinese. The difference is in the learning environment and how children experience the two languages throughout their day.

Will the new Two-Way option be similar to the Bilingual Programme in SJI International Elementary School?

The Two-Way Immersion Bilingual Track for Preschool draws on the same core immersion approach as the Elementary School Bilingual Programme, adapted thoughtfully for younger children and the rhythms of an early years environment.

Rather than repeating the same lesson in two languages, language is naturally embedded throughout the day in Preschool – through play, stories, music, movement, mealtimes, conversations, exploration and everyday routines.

The learning environments are also designed specifically for young children. English and Chinese spaces are created with carefully selected resources that help bring each language and its culture to life.

This gives young children an immersive experience while ensuring they continue to enjoy everything that sits at the heart of SJI International Preschool: play, inquiry, relationships, belonging and joyful learning.

Why is the Preschool introducing the TwoWay Immersion Bilingual Track?

Every child’s language journey is different. Some children thrive with both languages naturally woven throughout their day in one familiar classroom, while others may enjoy the focused experience of being immersed in one language at a time. Offering two specialised bilingual tracks reflects our commitment to innovative early childhood education. It also allows us to respond thoughtfully to the different ways young children experience and develop language.

Most importantly, it gives families greater choice in finding the early childhood education approach that best suits their child’s strengths, personality and language goals.

What if a child is stronger in one language than the other?

We don’t expect every child to begin with the same experience or confidence in languages. What matters is understanding the individual child and considering the bilingual environment in which they’re most likely to thrive.

Our experienced English and Chinese bilingual educators use visual cues, gestures, hands-on resources, modelling and age-appropriate support to help children understand meaning, and participate confidently, particularly when they encounter less familiar language.

There is no single bilingual journey that is right for every child. Our role is to help families understand the two approaches, and consider which best matches their child’s strengths, personality, previous language experiences and future language goals.

Attend an Open House to learn more about early childhood education at SJI International Preschool

Want to know more about the early childhood education programme and facilities of SJI International Preschool? Register for an upcoming Open House to see it for yourself; the next one is on 17 October. Spaces are limited so register your spot early! There are also weekday tours available, book your spot here.

SJI International Preschool is at 49A Holland Road.
6908 4520 | sji-internationalpreschool.com.sg

This article first appeared in The October 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now. Read more about the English and Chinese Bilingual Programme in SJI International Elementary School here. Read about the some of the fun family activities at SJI International Preschool here.

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