Languages at UWCSEA

In addition to the languages offered via the academic timetable, we also offer a comprehensive Home Languages Programme for students who wish to maintain a level of academic exposure to a home language which they do not study during the school day. Classes are an additional cost. Learn more

To support our bi/multilingual students, we offer a range of First Language courses in the academic timetable. First Languages include a language learned from birth, other languages spoken at home and ‘heritage languages’, which are languages spoken by a parent, grandparent or ancestor. To be placed in any first language course, students need to have had previous academic study of the language. 

This is different from our Home Language Programme which is for students not able to take their first language during the school timetable. 

On Dover Campus, students in Grades 9 and 10 whose first or second language is Dutch, French, German, Korean, or Japanese can study a UWCSEA-designed First Language course which provides academic study of the chosen language in preparation for the IB Diploma (or a return to study in a school which teaches in the language).

Dutch and Korean are offered as First Language courses only. French, German, and Japanese courses include both First and Second Language learners, with a differentiated approach to support varying proficiency levels.

Note that Dutch and German are offered after school to Dover Middle School students, in Grades 7 and 8.

School Supported Languages programme

Our School Supported Language (SSL) programme is offered for High School students during the academic timetable. The course is for first language learners who have also had 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. If you intend to apply to study in the SSL programme, please contact Admissions prior to making an application to ensure that we are able to support the language you plan to request.

Factsheet: UWCSEA Languages ProgrammeUWCSEA Grade 9-10 Additional LanguageDover Dutch Language and Culture Programme 

For students wishing to learn a language for the first time or for those with little or no prior experience, there are foreign language courses available for  K1–Grade 11 on East Campus and K1–Grade 8 and Grade 11 on Dover Campus. New and existing students have the opportunity to join the offered beginner language class from the start of each school year.

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 will then join a beginner course for Grades 11 and 12.

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 at the top of this page.

These courses are available for students joining the College in K1–Grade 11 and require students to have had at least a year of prior academic study in the language.

Language options differ by campus and are subject to demand. Details are on the factsheet at the top of this page.