According to the IB Programme Standards and Practices the school must ensure that students learn a language in addition to the language of instruction (at least from the age of seven). Our language of instruction is English and to support the development of a second language students have Spanish classes in their specials rotation.
Additionally, the IB standard C4.2 states "the school recognizes multilingualism as a fact, a right and a resource for learning." This is also referred to as the Mother Tongue development. The mother tongue is a student's native language, first language, heritage language such as Spanish, Haitian Creole or Portuguese.
Many studies explain that a strong mother tongue supports the learning of an additional language. Language experts emphasized that students who maintain their proficiency in their mother tongue learn another language quickly. Linguist Jim Cummins stressed that children who have a strong foundation in their mother tongue develop stronger literacy abilities in the school language (Google Scholar).
One way to nurture students’ home language is to provide enriching literature in their mother tongue. We support this development by having an International Reading Area (Mother Tongue Section) in our school library. In this section students will find a variety of books in their native language as a resource for language learning.
How can parents help? Parents should view themselves as partners with the school in teaching children their native language. At home, parents can read to their children in their mother tongue and provide materials in their own language.
Parents, we need your help! To support this resource for learning we would like to receive donations of books in your mother tongue. These donations will be placed in our International Children's Library section (Mother Tongue) and will be used by our school community to enrich student learning. We would greatly appreciate any donation of gently used or new books that can be dropped off at the front desk.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school internationally minded!
