By Nick Yates, ISB Communications
Published on Thursday, February 13, 2025
Hi! 你好! Hola! Salut! From February 17 to 21, the International School of Beijing’s second Language Week will highlight its quality languages teaching and culturally diverse community.
ISB has a popular Dual Language Program in the Elementary School and offers French and Spanish courses in the Middle and High Schools, in addition to Chinese. And with roughly 70 countries and regions represented among ISB’s students, parents, and employees, you will hear plenty of languages on campus.
In this truly international community, students join ISB from lots of different backgrounds and in different circumstances. ISB provides a range of options to cater to them. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Middle/High School languages program was restructured to ensure students could start French or Spanish in different grades and still find a successful path through Grade 12.
Click the play button to watch this video about languages at ISB
It’s a good example of the expertise and care that ISB puts into providing challenging and joyful learning for every learner. In all subject areas, faculty here are very intentional in designing programs so that students learn most effectively, experience joy while being challenged, and achieve impressive outcomes. ISB’s world-class faculty and staff are encouraged to consider best practice and the latest thinking in how to teach – and to make changes where appropriate, as has happened with the languages program.
Previously, it was difficult for students to successfully pursue advanced French or Spanish courses in High School (Grades 9 through 12) without having begun that language in Grade 6 (the first grade of Middle School).
From zero to hero in Spanish
Rhea S, Grade 12, moved to Beijing and joined ISB at the start of High School. “I had zero exposure to Spanish,” she says. “ISB’s program allowed me to join Spanish: Foundation in Grade 9, where all my classmates were as new to Spanish as I was. This helped me tremendously as I was able to start from scratch at a comfortable pace.”
Rhea, who also speaks several other languages, made impressive progress in Spanish, skipped a level, and is currently taking IB Spanish.
Bonding through languages
Daniel S joined ISB midway through last academic year in Grade 7. Having studied French before, he was able to join Intermediate French. Daniel is a polyglot as he knows Chinese and Spanish (mother tongue/spoken at home), English and Norwegian (from schooling in those countries). He is one of the most fluent speakers in the French class and may be able to join Advanced French in Grade 9.
Daniel says, “I love ISB’s language curriculum. Every day I go into the classroom knowing I will learn something, and every day I come out with more knowledge than before. I would totally recommend to other students that they sign up to a language.”
Fernando P, who is in Grade 7 and speaks Spanish and English, says languages have helped him connect to other students and feel a sense of belonging. “Through learning languages, I understand more people and can connect to them. Languages are so important because they’re a way to communicate, express culture, and build relationships,” according to Fernando.
Elect to succeed
After taking Chinese language and literature courses in ISB’s Elementary School, Chloe M, now Grade 7, has chosen to focus on languages in her Middle School Electives. Electives allow students to extend their learning by selecting courses outside of the core curriculum.
“I chose French as my language,” Chloe explains, “but I took some quarter- and semester-long Electives focusing on Chinese speaking, literature, and debate.
“I really benefited from the Chinese Speech and Debate Elective. I’m also doing Model United Nations (MUN). The Elective gave me more material and skills for MUN when debating.”
Chloe says she would urge other students to take ISB’s language courses. “At an international school, we have a lot of opportunities to learn different languages. Try out a few and decide which ones you want to pursue. ISB teachers really promote active learning. At the same time as experiencing a little stress, you will have lots of fun.”
‘Accessible and enjoyable for everyone’
“ISB’s flexible language program has been incredibly helpful,” says Zhaniya Y, another polyglot who started studying French at ISB in Grade 6 last year. “I was able to start learning a new language at a comfortable pace. I felt challenged but never overwhelmed. I appreciate my teachers for making this a positive experience.
“ISB is all about making language learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re starting, or continuing with something you’ve already studied, there’s a place for you in the language program. Languages equip students with the skills to communicate confidently across the globe. I’m grateful for the opportunities it’s given me, and I know others will benefit in the same way.”
Language Week will involve student-led activities during lunchtime, library displays, curated cafeteria menus, and more. There will be special greetings in different languages for people arriving on campus every morning. We would be delighted if family members doing the school run would pause for a minute to say guten tag, xin chào, or hi in whatever languages you’re lucky enough to speak.