Home Languages Programme

While UWCSEA is an ‘English medium’ school, where the main language of instruction is English, we are a multilingual community with a complex language profile. Our mission-driven admissions policy asks us to bring together as diverse a cohort as possible with the aim of promoting intercultural understanding.

The complexity of the language profile of our students has prompted the development of the highly regarded Home Languages Programme (HLP) on both campuses (as well as the extension of the English as an Additional Language Programme into our Primary Schools).

The HLP provides a way for students who want to maintain and develop literacy skills in a language spoken at home, but who do not study this language as part of the academic curriculum. 

The HLP is not an activity in the same way as the other offerings in the activities programme. HLP lessons are delivered by qualified native-speaker teachers in small group classes where students are taught with other learners of a similar age and ability. Our bespoke curriculum is written based on the learning objectives of our language curriculum

The classes support students to maintain and develop their literacy skills in their home language at age appropriate levels. Some home languages are offered until a 'home language' level course becomes available as part of the academic programme. However, other languages are offered in small group classes as part of a coordinated Home Languages Programme and are available to students from K1 to Grade 12. 

In K1 to Grade 1, the focus is on maintaining or expanding a students exposure to their home language in an environment other than home. 

From Grade 2, we introduce a particular focus on developing the literacy skills of reading and writing. For older students, the programme is intended to assist them in maintaining a level of proficiency that may allow them (if desired) to move into academic classes in Middle or High School, including the option of School Supported Self Taught Language courses from Grade 9. It may also assist students who aim to study for a bilingual IB Diploma to maintain a level of language learning to access a relevant IBDP course.

HLP classes are an additional cost. Although the intent of the programme is the same, there are slight differences by campus, including the languages on offer, as these are subject to community demand. 

For information on which languages may be offered as part of the home language programme, and when these languages become part of the academic curriculum, please refer to our Languages information and contact Admissions.