International Schools: A Dual Language Movement
First, let me start off by informing you that as I write this article, I am sitting in a hotel room as Typhoon Mangkhut brings heavy winds and rain into the Hong Kong area. It’s my first time in this type of storm, and by all accounts, it is one of the strongest in Hong Kong history. For your information, all is well and I am safe!
I am in Hong Kong to serve at the Dalton School Hong Kong. Several years ago, I began collaborating with their leadership team as they prepared to open a second school site where dual language programming would guide their work.
It has been an amazing partnership and one that has grown me so much as a professional and as a person.
Dalton School Hong Kong leaders contacted me after hearing about my dual language work at the prestigious International School of Beijing (ISB). The work at ISB has also been ongoing for several years, as they are in the midst of their third year of dual language implementation. Being in Beijing, as a dual language expert, has been life altering. I have had the opportunity to deepen my learning about dual language, and in truth, I have also had the opportunity to see how international dual language programs have similarities, but also, important differences to those in the United States.
International School of Beijing
The International School of Beijing is located in the Shunyi District of the city. ISB includes elementary, middle, and high school campuses within the large complex that makes up the entire educational institution.
The 50-50 Chinese-English dual language two-way program presently serves students from Pre-Kindergarten 3 and up to 1st grade. Each year, an additional grade is being added, with ongoing discussions about the possibility of growing the program to the secondary levels.
One thing that makes this international dual language program unique is the focus on the three goals of dual language: bilingualism/biliteracy, grade level academic achievement in both program languages, and sociocultural competence. Some international bilingual schools focus on bilingualism. At ISB, the focus is biliteracy.
Continue reading to hear more about José’s experiences with dual language programs….
The ISB partner teacher model offers an AM-PM flip for the students in order to give them access to both Chinese and English on a daily basis. Students are heterogeneously grouped during literacy instruction in both languages so that language models in both program languages are readily available. The school master schedule cycle is six days, and so, partner teachers are able to focus on content instruction in one language for the duration of one cycle. The following cycle, partner teachers flip content. This gives students an opportunity to interact with all core content areas in both languages. Finally, music and physical education are offered in both Chinese and English to ensure alignment with language allocation recommendations.
One of the things that sets the International School of Beijing collaboration apart from others, has been the focus not only solely on dual language professional development, but also, on job-embedded support for teachers and administrators. Ongoing technical support has also allowed me the opportunity to truly become a member of the school team and culture.
As a side note, I speak Spanish at ISB in the same fashion that I speak Spanish everywhere else! And my ISB family loves and supports it!
For information about the International School of Beijing, please visit https://www.isb.bj.edu.cn/
Dalton School Hong Kong
I am not led. I lead.
These are the words that first made me fall in love with the Dalton School Hong Kong (DSHK). The focus on the student is at the forefront of every decision, every instructional strategy shared, every professional learning journey embarked upon.
To walk into DSHK is to experience humility and service by the educators that serve the diverse student body.
The 50-50 Chinese-English dual language two-way program at DSHK brings together the Dalton educational philosophy with the three goals of dual language education. That is, at DSHK, the focus on differentiated instruction, communication, and global citizenship – all align with the tenets described in the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education: Third Edition. Moreover, an overt focus on sociocultural competence and ensuring that each child is ready and able to serve the community in which they live is apparent.
Continue reading to hear more about José’s experiences with dual language programs….
Following the successful collaboration introduced at the International School of Beijing, at Dalton School Hong Kong, all of the dual language support that I facilitate is focused on ensuring that the school’s vision comes to fruition. It too, includes professional learning, on-site and remote technical assistance, and coaching for teachers and administrators.
Whether bringing together the progressive early childhood work of Renée Dinnerstein, or focusing on parent dual language learning opportunities, the Dalton School Hong Kong leadership and I are “juntos.” As you might expect, I speak a lot of Spanish as well! My DSHK colleagues and friends love to learn español!
For information about the Dalton School Hong Kong, please visit http://www.dshk.edu.hk/eng/
