Chinese

In all Grades, we offer Chinese on three different pathways (as a 1st, 2nd or foreign language) according to the varying needs of our students. Within each pathway, students are placed in ability sets that are best suited for their level of language competency. 

• Grade 7 Chinese Experiential Learning 
  During their annual Chinese lessons, the Chinese Department organises a visit to the Tea Chapter for our Grade 7 First and Second Language classes. Students participate in a Cultural Immersion– Tea Appreciation Workshop.
  
  The objective of this workshop is to support the learning of Chinese tea culture and appreciation. Students gain an insightful understanding of the history of Chinese tea, its variety, and the art of tea appreciation. Our students learn more about Chinese dining etiquette through the instructors' explanation and demonstration of tea.
  
  The Grade 7 students from Foreign Languages classes have a cultural immersion experience on a lunch trip to a Chinese restaurant where they experience Chinese cuisine being served formally. Students are also given opportunities to order their food in Mandarin, to identify and use Chinese cutlery, and to observe the preparation of traditional Chinese food such as Lamian (hand-made noodles). Such hands-on experience enhances what they have learned during lesson time.

English Acquisition is offered as a part of the Parent-Funded programme. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) & Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme will support all culturally and linguistically diverse English language learners and ensure that we can cater to the needs of these students to access the curriculum and achieve success in their learning journey.

High School: English as an Additional Language (EAL) Programme

The EAL Programme offers specialised, tailored support for students whose English is not their first language and who require additional support in order to access the curriculum and prepare them for the demands of a rigorous academic programme.

The aim of the EAL Programme is to provide multi-tiered levels of support across all Grades at the school to help them attain academic success. The length of time in the programme will vary according to the language profile of each student, with a minimum of one year.  Students who join SJI International admitted in the EAL Support Programme in Grade 9 and Grade 11 will be required to remain in the Programme for 2 years, the duration of the 2 year IGCSE and IB Diploma respectively. Students who enter SJI International into 10FC and attend the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme will be required to attend the supervised study support tutorials when they enter the IB Diploma level in Grades 11 & 12. 

High School: English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme

The ELA Programme is designed for those students whose English language proficiency is not up to the required standard required to achieve academic success.

At the point of admission standardised assessments are used to determine students’ use of English, reading and listening comprehension proficiency, and vocabulary knowledge. The outcome of these assessments guides us as to the level of support a student will require in order to successfully transition into first language English.
 

FAQs

• Can I choose to not participate in the programme?
  Students placed in the Programme have been assessed as requiring this additional support to provide the foundational language skills required to meet the demands of the curriculum. This is not an optional Programme that can be subscribed to. It is a requirement of admission.
   
• My Child is a native English speaker, why are they being placed on the programme?

  In order to determine a student's level of language acquisition, standardised assessments are used to assess a student's reading comprehension & proficiency and vocabulary knowledge to make decisions around the support required. The Programme is designed to help students improve in these areas in order for them to access the curriculum successfully.
   

• How to we assess if a student needs the programme?
  We use a number of assessments to help identify and track the progress of EAL students. There is the Oxford Placement Test to help identify the general ability range of a student. From this general assessment, we can follow up on further assessments to see if they require EAL withdrawal support and track their progress once they are on the programme.
  There is a more specific test called Aptis from the British Council, which assesses reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary; the Paul Nations Vocabulary Size Test; and a programme called Read Theory.
   

• When can students move out of EAL withdrawal support?
  In Grades 7 and 8, students can transition out of EAL withdrawal at the end of Term 1 or 2 after demonstrating that they will succeed in their first language, English. Movement decisions will be based on the assessments mentioned above. Support will continue to be given in the form of in-class Support or one-on-one sessions where necessary.
  
  Unlike the Grades 7 and 8 course, students in Grades 9 and 10 will only be able to move at the end of IGCSE. Learners follow EAL lessons in place of English lessons, preparing them for an IGCSE examination in English as a Second Language at the end of Grade 10. It also includes preparation for English Language B HL of the IB Diploma English course.
   

• What is the pathway through to the IB Diploma?
  Students learning English as an Additional Language must study a first language as they move through school. We offer Chinese and Indonesian as mainstream first languages, and many others are offered on the Home Language Programme. Please be aware that if your child has sufficient proficiency in their first language, only then will they have a pathway through to the IBDP. Therefore, a clear language pathway must be decided upon admission into SJI International.

French is offered as a part of the Parent-Funded Home Language programme, except for the French ab initio course.

• Francophone Cultural Event at Alliance Française Singapour

On 'Francophone' Day, we celebrated the rich tapestry of the French language spoken across the globe. SJI International’s French language students actively engaged in various exciting activities. This event provided a captivating window into Francophone history and culture with interactive quizzes and games. Notably, Diya from Grade 11 received a prestigious award for her outstanding achievements in the French language.

• Around the World Exhibition at Alliance Française de Singapour

This exceptional exhibition showcased groundbreaking French innovations that have transformed how we travel on land, by sea, and in the air. Drawing inspiration from Jules Verne's iconic novel, "Around the World in Eighty Days", the exhibition allowed our students to appreciate his work's modern interpretations deeply.

German is offered as a part of the Parent-Funded Home Language programme.

• Grade 11 Hindi experiential learning

In 2021, G11 Hindi students worked with RBK International Academy in Mumbai. Students expressed their thoughts regarding our respective countries' cultures, languages and customs. The RBK students asked many questions about Singapore's multiculturalism, and we explained how this is reflected in the many facets of life here. From this conversation, we have learnt the value of courage and the importance of participation: after all, the more you put in, the more you get out. We hope that the students of Hindi in other Grades will have a similar opportunity in the future.

A journey to Waseda Shibuya Senior High School, an esteemed institution affiliated with Waseda University in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Our students explored various aspects of Japanese culture while conversing in Japanese within authentic, real-life settings. This unique opportunity allowed them to apply their language skills in a practical context and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture they are studying.

Korean is offered as a part of the Parent-Funded Home Language programme.

G12 Experiential Learning

In April 2022, the Malay / Indonesian Languages department initiated a Grade 12 Collaboration Virtual Lesson with IBDP Yr1 Jerudong International School (JIS), Brunei. The initiative's objectives were to experience a learning environment with students from an overseas IB school and embed possible ATL / CAS / ToK into lessons. Both classes managed to carry out the shared lessons using shared resources on the theme of Autism since April was World Autism Acceptance Month. 

• Trip to Spain 2023 

Twenty students from grades 8 to 12 embarked on a two-week educational trip to Spain, immersing themselves in the language and culture. Their adaptability, independence, and resilience grew throughout the journey, while their language skills significantly improved.

Their experiences ranged from lively salsa and flamenco sessions to indulging in tapas tours and paella dinners, exploring iconic landmarks, engaging in sports activities, and immersing in nature. The students actively participated in Spanish lessons and staying with host families provided them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Throughout their time in Spain, the students were excellent ambassadors of SJI International showcasing their curiosity and willingness to learn from the experiences presented to them.

• G7 Music Workshop

  G7 students of Spanish participated in a Latin American music workshop led by two Mexican musicians. This brings to life the unit called Passions Around the Globe. The students learn about the history and origins of Afro-Antillean music in Central and South America, and they deepen their understanding of the interplay of indigenous American, European and African cultures. As they learn about the main Latin American types of music, the students enjoy a danzón concert and practise the rhythmical patterns themselves in a percussion session.
   

• G8 Muralists Workshop 
  As part of their inquiries into the influence of heroes and role models in their current unit of study, Grade 8 students engaged in dialogue with a Mexican artist, based in Mexico, who demonstrated the importance of muralism and how it helped to shape the identity and unity of Mexican people from the 1920s onwards.
  Under the direction of another Mexican artist who came to visit us in person, students then took part in a workshop in which they explored and experimented to create murals. Students dedicated a mural to Frida Kahlo and incorporated the representation of a value they identified to be associated with the Mexican painter.
   

• G9 CAS
  G9 Spanish students have worked on the CAS strands of service and creativity in their current unit of study. As part of their inquiry into how they can support indigenous women to access education in Oaxaca, Mexico, students have investigated the situation, designed and prepared a video in Spanish with English subtitles which they shared across the community to raise awareness and support our service partner Fondo Guadalupe Musalem.
  As students researched the region of Oaxaca and its culture, they learned about the origins of alebrijes, Mexican art sculptures, and their different types. Students took pride in creating their own original alebrijes with a 3D pen. This personal and cultural expression allowed our students to think in different ways and take risks.
   

• G11 ab initio video calls with Lasalle Bonanova (Spain) students
  G11 Spanish ab initio students connected with students from La Salle Bonanova School, Spain, and discussed Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being, via video calls. As students have been learning this topic as part of the curriculum, these four interactions have been an opportunity to learn about diets, lifestyles, typical food and healthcare systems in Spain. Additionally, through these interactions, half of the time speaking in Spanish and the other half in English, students have developed a higher awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity and have grown in confidence in speaking Spanish.
  These students also participated in a cooking class last Friday. To better understand different diets, they prepared four Hispanic dishes: Pico de gallo, Guacamole, Pan tumaca and Gazpacho*. During this activity, the students developed skills to work collaboratively and reflected on the differences and similarities between the Hispanic cultures and their own cultures.
   

• G11 Language B "Human Rights and Social Engagement"
  Our G11 Spanish B students' study “Human Rights and Social Engagement” as part of the IB curriculum. Students, therefore, engage in dialogue with the president of an educational scholarship fund that supports indigenous women in rural Oaxaca, Mexico. Our guest speaker interacts in Spanish with our students on various highbrow topics related to human rights. This provokes personal reflections on the rights they enjoy, such as education, and the importance of safeguarding such rights for everyone as part of our school’s commitment towards Service Learning.

Deepavali, also known as Diwali, takes on a nuanced educational significance at SJI International, where Grade 7 and Grade 8 students comprehensively explore this Hindu festival. Beyond the celebratory aspects, the curriculum emphasises the historical and philosophical dimensions, framing Deepavali as a victory of light, goodness, and knowledge over darkness and ignorance. Students from Hindi and Tamil classes contribute to this understanding by crafting and decorating traditional lamps integrating artistic expression into their cultural education. The arrangement of these meticulously adorned lamps within the Lasallian block creates a tangible representation of the festival's essence, fostering a festive ambience that resonates throughout the school community

In a scholarly extension, students go beyond immediate celebrations by producing an educational video. This multimedia presentation delves into the significance of Deepavali/Diwali, exploring regional variations in its celebration across India and highlighting its relevance in the Singaporean context. By participating in this project, students deepen their understanding and contribute to the broader cultural awareness of the school community. Further enriching the cultural curriculum, a group of teachers and students present the traditional folk dance of Dhandiya, originating from Gujarat. This performance serves as a living expression of cultural heritage, allowing students to connect with the dance's historical roots and the vibrant traditions of Gujarat, fostering an appreciation for the richness of global heritage.

Vietnamese is offered as a part of the Parent-Funded Home Language programme.

At SJI International, we are very proud of our culturally and linguistically diverse community. In order to help our community to maintain ties to their home language and culture, we run a parent-funded Home Language Programme. The Home Languages that we currently offer are French, German, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese; however, we are not limited to these.

Our goal at SJI International is to create an environment in which students can experience Additive Bilingualism by maintaining and developing their Home Language in conjunction with developing their English skills. To achieve this, we integrate experiential learning opportunities into our Home Language Programme. For example, visiting the Francophone Cultural Event or the Around the World exhibition at Alliance Française de Singapour, engage in Japanese cooking classes and other school visits. These experiences provide a more immersive and interactive language learning experience, fostering a deeper connection to their home language and culture.

The Home Language Programme is for:

• students whose home language is not currently taught as part of our school curriculum
• students who have a strong linguistic or cultural connection to another language, perhaps through family members or spending an extended amount of time in another country; and for
• students who are studying a MOE Mother Tongue-in lieu language

Click here for fee details.

Please contact the Head of Home Languages with any further questions/queries you may have about the Home Language Programme.