Mother Tongue Programmes - Utahloy International School Zengcheng

We value Translanguaging!

The IBO recommends that, from at least the age of 7, all students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) have the opportunity to learn more than one language. As the PYP: From Principles into Practice publication states, “translanguaging is a process in which students draw on known languages, naturally and flexibly, combining their elements to meet communicative and social needs”. In this process, students use language skills from one language to support another.

UISZ strongly promotes international-mindedness, intercultural learning, and global citizenship. .

While the school’s medium of instruction is English, we recognise the importance of bilingualism and strengthening our students’ home languages. The school encourages access to different cultures, perspectives and languages. Research shows that children with a strong foundation in their home language(s) can be more successful at school and enjoy greater self-worth and identity than their monolingual peers. Developing a child’s home language(s) enriches personal growth and helps facilitate intercultural understanding for students and their peers. By continuing to have opportunities to engage in their home language(s), learners can build on the language skills they have already established. The development of home language skills also facilitates learning additional languages.

MYP & DP Language and Literature

In secondary school, UISZ offers French as an additional language and supports mother tongue language development through our language and literature courses offered in three languages: Chinese, English, and Korean. This diverse range of languages creates a rich, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment that aligns with the IB philosophy and emphasizes the benefits of a multilingual and multicultural education. Our strong modern languages program is crucial to students’ academic success and overall well-being, providing them with a broader perspective and the skills they need to thrive in an interconnected world.

As they develop their language skills, our students build a deeper connection with their cultural heritage, benefit from a sense of identity and belonging, and develop their cognitive skills. Looking ahead to the next semester, our priorities include further streamlining practices across languages to provide more opportunities for students to transfer their skills and gain cross-cultural understanding.