Diverse Language Options

Language learning is very important at the Western International School of Shanghai. With a community of over 50 nationalities with around 40 languages spoken, we endeavor to support students in not only learning a new language but also in maintaining their mother tongues. Recognizing the significance of mother tongue language development, WISS continually explores opportunities to work with cultural and embassy groups to offer as many mother tongue programs as possible. Mother tongue is defined as the language you would speak as a ‘native’ of your home country, but of course we know that our families are multi-cultural and may have a less well-defined set of language needs. For more information on languages at WISS, or if you would like to try and set up a mother tongue language program, please contact our Head of Language and Literature, Karin Fischer at kfischer@wiss.cn.

Our EAL specialist teachers have had extensive experience working with children learning English as an additional or second language. The EAL teachers work closely with the main classroom teachers to identify the particular learning needs of English Language Learners. Children are taught English both within the classroom and in small groups working with the EAL specialist who uses resources specifically geared to second language enhancement. Where English is not strong enough to access the curriculum, Chinese or another second language will be replaced by extra English until the level of proficiency increases.