​Swiss International Scientific School Dubai

September 3, 2016 594

Swiss International Scientific School Dubai

+971 4 3750600
Floor 25, Opp. Grand Habtoor Hotel Dubai Marina, Dubai

Our bilingual programme is not limited to listening and speaking but also includes challenging requirements in reading and writing. The competences in the first language are thereby enriched rather than compromised. The principle of immersion teaching means that bothEnglish, French or German are not solely "language courses" but instead are the languages of instruction in all subject areas taught with equal attention given to both languages per subject area. Our English, French or German native speaking teachers provide not only additional language skills and knowledge for our children, but also different cultural experiences.

Teaching and learning across the grades (as of school year 2016/2017):

  • Pre-KG: English as the main language; Native English speaking teacher & native French or German TA in the classroom; Play-based teaching (i.e. exposure to the additional language through play situations).
  • KG1: Native English speaking teacher & native French or German TA in the classroom; One daily lesson of French or German & exposure to the language in classroom activities.
  • KG2: Native English-speaking teacher & native French or German speaking teacher in the classroom, teaching both languages on a daily basis. Arabic lessons on a weekly basis.
  • Primary School: one week in English and one week in French or German - all core subjects (Language, Maths, Science and Social Studies) are taught in both languages, with a rolling process to avoid repetition. Testing is done in both languages through collaborative planning.
  • Secondary School: Students move from a weekly bilingual cycle to a discipline-based model, where certain subjects are taught in English and others in French or German by native-speaking specialists. Students in the bilingual streams study both English and French or German at Languages and Literature level.

Assessment methodology:
The two teachers will assess the children within the units of inquiry in each of the two languages of instruction. As the English, French and German speaking teachers collaboratively plan the six week long units of inquiry, they will also plan the ongoing assessments that will run in their classes.

It will depend on each child's individual situation, how well he/she can cope with the bilingual system when entering our school. Based on their mother tongue, nursery languages, exposure to a second language, the ability to adapt to new situations, schooling background and, last but not least, the child's individual cognitive ability and personal development.

At SISD, many students are learning in a language other than their mother tongue. This means that the school pays close attention to students language needs and abilities to ensure they participate fully in the programme and are able to reach their full potential.

Admissions requirements:
Pre-KG to Grade 1: the child must be fluent in one of the two languages of instruction.
From Grade 2: the child must be fluent in one of the two languages of instruction and have good knowledge in the other language.
Admission will be subject to assessment results.