Mother Tongue Programme

ISH helps organise Mother Tongue classes outside the school curriculum using school facilities at the end of a regular school day and within the school curriculum for MYP and DP students. The lessons are taught by experienced private teachers with whom the parents enter into an agreement about participation and payment. The Mother Tongue Coordinators also assist in finding suitable teachers for these courses. Some programmes, such as Swedish and Dutch, follow the national curriculum of their country.

When students reach IB level, they can choose their first language as an A subject. There are two options. Provided there is a qualified teacher available, students can study at higher or standard level. This option is funded privately by the parents of the student. Alternatively, students can choose what is called the “school-supported” programme which means students can study their mother tongue at standard level and without a teacher.

The students should ideally study the language and literature of their first language prior to entering grade 11. To facilitate and encourage students to choose the above options, the Mother Tongue Programme is offered to both junior school and secondary school students.

There are currently mother tongue programmes for the following languages:

• Danish
• Dutch
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Korean
• Polish
• Hebrew
• Russian
• Spanish

ISH recognises that it takes a lot of time and dedication on the student's part to participate in these courses. In order to support and recognise this, the Mother Tongue course is included on MYP and DP students official school report and transcripts for grades 6 to 10. 

Benefits of mother tongue education

There are several advantages related to an education that takes into consideration children’s native language:

• First children learn more efficiently and quicker in their native language. This prevents delays in learning.
• Furthermore pupils enjoy learning more and feel more comfortable.
• Moreover pupils' self-esteem will increase when it is allowed to speak in their native language.
• In addition to that, parents can participate more. For example, they can help their children with their homework and can take part in school activities more easily.
• Studies have shown that children who take advantage of their multilingualism are most likely to enjoy a higher socioeconomic status.
• On average schools that allow pupils to use their mother tongue report that they need less repetition in class.
• Last but not least, it is reported that children stay in schools without a language barrier longer.

 

• Actively encourage the use of the Mother Tongue in the home. It is not useful to speak English to your child in the home if it is not your first language
• Promote knowledge and interest in your child’s first language by reading or telling stories in their mother tongue.
• Encourage your child to read novels and textbooks in their mother tongue. Many students retain their fluency in their first language but fail to develop their literacy skills fully.
• Ensure that your child has a good bilingual dictionary for school.