Learning a new language helps students to grow intellectually and personally
Through our three International Baccalaureate programmes, we provide a comprehensive languages curriculum to all our students.
As a truly international school, we believe that being multilingual is essential to our students reaching their full potential in today’s increasingly global world.
In addition, learning a new language helps our students to grow intellectually and personally, and opens their eyes to a wide range of different cultures.
FRENCH OR SPANISH
Enabling a global perspective
We offer MYP students the opportunity to study a French or Spanish course over a five-year period.
The main objective of the course is to help students of mixed ability and varied backgrounds to achieve competence and proficiency in a new language.
The curriculum encourages students’ curiosity, interest and enjoyment in a foreign language and provides them with the key communicative skills necessary for future study or work.
ENGLISH
Literature and Language
At our Westminster campus, we integrate the teaching of English language skills into all areas of our MYP curriculum.
In addition, MYP students study a Language and Literature course that develops skills in six domains: listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing and presenting.
We also offer English as an additional language (EAL) lessons to MYP students who need some extra support to speak and write English. Please see our EAL section below.
English as an additional language (EAL)
Providing support to students who are new to English
Our EAL programme is designed to help PYP and MYP students participate fully in the social and academic aspects of our school. This involves EAL teachers working closely with class teachers to support each student’s oral and written communication.
Students who are new to English may receive extra support from an EAL teacher to assist their language development. The EAL teachers may also go into classrooms to support students.
For more information about our English as an additional language programme, please see our ELLA Handbook:
Home Languages
Developing native language skills
During their time at Southbank, we help students maintain and develop their home language. We believe this is important to their sense of identity and emotional wellbeing. We also make a big effort to celebrate the cultures and mother tongue languages of all our students. This provides an opportunity to learn from each other and fosters an appreciation of people’s different backgrounds.
To support this, we have recruited specialist tutors who collectively are fluent in over 20 different languages. They are able to teach lessons in a students native language, including Japanese, Mandarin, German, Italian and more.