Language Policy

Concordia International School Ningbo Language Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this Language Policy is to outline Concordia International School Ningbo's approach to language teaching and learning, emphasizing the importance of language in cognitive development and as a means of fostering international-mindedness and cultural awareness.

Scope

This policy applies to all language teaching and learning within the PYP, from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5, and includes our approaches to mother tongue support, the language of instruction, and additional languages.

Principles

Our language philosophy is guided by the following principles:

- Language as a Vehicle for Inquiry: Language is central to learning, inquiry, and communication and is integrated into all areas of the curriculum.

- Multilingualism: We value and promote multilingualism, recognizing the role of languages in fostering cultural identity and global citizenship.

- Mother Tongue Support: We support the maintenance and development of students' mother tongue(s) as crucial for cognitive development and cultural identity.

- Inclusive Language Practices: Our language practices are inclusive and accessible, supporting students of all language backgrounds and proficiencies.

Practices

1. Language of Instruction: English is the primary language of instruction. English language support is provided through co-teaching or teaching assistants to ensure all students can access the curriculum.

2. Mother Tongue Support: Concordia International School Ningbo supports the development of students' mother tongues through literature, after-school programs, and integration into units of inquiry where feasible.

3. Additional Language Learning: Chinese is offered to all students from K0, fostering language acquisition and cultural appreciation.

4. Language Across the Curriculum: All teachers are language teachers, responsible for supporting language development in their subject areas, including the use of subject-specific vocabulary and language structures.

5. Professional Development: Teachers participate in ongoing professional development to enhance their understanding and practices related to language teaching and learning.

Roles and Responsibilities

- Teachers are responsible for integrating language development into their teaching practices and collaborating with other language specialists to support students' language needs.

- Other Language Specialists provide additional support and instruction in English and additional languages, working closely with classroom teachers.

- Students are encouraged to value and develop their language skills, including their mother tongue and additional languages.

- Parents are recognized as partners in supporting language development, encouraged to engage in language-rich activities and maintain the use of the mother tongue at home.

Assessment

Language development is assessed both formatively and summatively, using a variety of tools and strategies to gauge proficiency, growth, and application in authentic contexts.

Resources

Concordia International School Ningbo provides a range of language learning resources, including access to bilingual materials, online language programmes, and a well-stocked library with texts in multiple languages.

Review and Development

This policy is reviewed annually to reflect the evolving needs of our student population, the latest best practices in language education, and any changes in the IB PYP framework. The review process involves input from teachers, language specialists, parents, and students.

All policies need to be collaboratively developed, well-documented, communicated to all stakeholders, and regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in the school community or IB standards. It's also important to keep these policies aligned with local educational regulations and cultural expectations in Ningbo.