Speaking English at BIS Hanoi

At BIS Hanoi, we are proud of having a unique ethos and approach when dealing with languages inside our school. We are rich in diversity and want to experience the celebration of different cultures in an environment where the values of global citizenship are promoted and developed in our students.

We are creating environments that inspire adults and children alike. Not only is the students’ work displayed creatively, but there is a range of learning prompts to motivate, encourage and support all pupils. We want to boost our children to discover new spaces such as the quiet areas at the end of each corridor. Our reading areas are inviting, well-resourced and highly organised, we have the recreation rooms where the students can release all their stress and have enjoyable activities and we have our listening corners where the students get exposed to the best possible English language from around the world.

We are also passionate about the English language and the power of communication which it brings to all of us, but as with any form of power, it needs to be harnessed effectively so it can consolidate our learning goals. We now have designated areas where the students are able to speak their native tongue and areas where only English is allowed. We want to provide areas where all our students feel represented, supported and ready to learn but also, where the use of English is carefully looked after and protected.

The canteen, the library, the corridors, the reception as well as many other areas around BIS Hanoi have been designated as English Only Areas. Students and teachers are successfully working together so this guideline can be implemented. Recognising, maintaining and looking after our home language, we want to empower communication, internationalism and the globalization of our very own uniqueness and identity.

I would like to invite the entire BIS Hanoi community to participate actively in the promotion of these areas which takes into consideration the needs, interests, and abilities of students. These spaces should be developed further to make language learning more related to the daily life of our students.

By giving the BIS students autonomy to decide on, decorate and evaluate these areas, we are also encouraging them to take responsibility for their own learning as well as monitoring and appraising their own progress.

Parents also can support their children’s language learning by taking up a more active role in helping their children develop good reading habits and enhancing their interest in their prefered reading topics.