Languages at UWCSEA
- Beginner foreign language courses
- Continuation foreign language courses
- Advanced First language courses
Beginner foreign language courses
For those with little or no prior exposure to learning the language there are beginner language courses available in most grade for students joining in K1–Grade 8, and Grade 11.
If no beginner language course is available for a student joining UWCSEA in Grade 9 or 10, we are able to discuss alternative subject options. These students then join a beginner (ab initio) course for Grade 11 and 12.
New and existing students have the opportunity to join the offered beginner language class from the start of each school year.
Beginner language offerings differ by campus and grade, and are offered subject to demand. Beginner courses are available in at least one of Chinese, Spanish or French. Details by campus are on the factsheet below.
Continuation foreign language courses
These courses require students to have had at least a year of prior academic study in the language.
There are continuation courses available for students joining the College in K1–Grade 11, in Chinese, English, French and Spanish. Entry to the continuation level course is not available for all languages in each year. In Grade 11, as an alternative to Language A, the Dover Campus also offers Language B in Japanese and German.
Most students joining the College are tested to ensure they are placed in a course that matches their previous experience and attainment with the UWCSEA language course.
Language options differ by campus and are subject to demand. Details by campus are on the factsheet below.
Advanced First language courses
To support our multilingual students, we offer a range of advanced language classes in the academic timetable. To be placed in any first language course, students need to have had previous academic study of the language, as well as it being their home language.
When part of the academic programme we call them ‘advanced’ courses and classes generally take place during the school day. UWCSEA has an extensive home language (mother tongue) programme for those students who are not able to take their first language during the school timetable.
Advanced courses
These courses are for first or near-first language (includes native or near-native speaking) students who also have prior academic study of the language.
Most advanced courses are part of the timetable and delivered during the school day, with the exception of Dutch in the Dover Middle School which is offered after school in Grades 7 and 8.
Our School Supported Self Taught Language (SSST) programme is offered for High School students during the academic timetable. The course is for home language (mother tongue) learners who have also previous study of the language in an academic setting and who plan to continue studying the language in the IB Diploma in Grade 11 as a Language A or B. If you intend to apply to study in the SSST programme, please contact Admissions prior to making an application to ensure that we are able to support the language you plan to request.
On Dover Campus, students in Grade 9 and 10 whose first language is Dutch, French, German, Korean or Japanese are offered a UWCSEA-designed First Language course which provides academic study of the language in preparation for the IB Diploma (or return to study in a school which teaches in the language).
Available languages options differ by campus and are subject to demand.
Factsheet: UWCSEA Languages ProgrammeUWCSEA Grade 9-10 First Languages courseDover Dutch Language and Culture Programme
Home Languages Programme
The Home Languages Programme, which takes place after school during the Activities programme, is not assessed in the same way as an academic subject. It supports learners who may not study their home language as an academic subject but want to maintain and/or develop literacy skills. Learn more