At NAISR, we believe that modern language classes are fundamental to our students’ intellectual, personal, and social development. We encourage our students to:
- Learn English to the level required for academic success.
- Maintain and develop their native language.
- Develop their international awareness and a respect for different perspectives.
Our approach will enable your child to pursue a broad spectrum of opportunities while they're in Rotterdam. It also eases any potential return to their home country’s education system should they move on from our school.
All our students have the opportunity to study a second modern language every day.
Native language instruction
Supporting a student to follow their native language benefits their emotional wellbeing and improves their ability to learn additional languages. This helps them to succeed academically and prepares them for the future, too.
We define a native language as:
- The language(s) a student generally uses to communicate with their family.
- The language(s) a student feels most comfortable with, and in which they intuitively describe the world and their emotions.
- The language(s) that tie a student to their cultural identity(ies).
In practice, this means:
- We work with parents to foster a good environment for language learning.
- We recognise that a great deal of language learning takes place at home.
- All our teachers consider themselves language as well as subject teachers.
- Wherever possible, our students have opportunities to develop their native language.
English is the main language of instruction at NAISR. However, our goal is for students to become literate in at least two languages.
Modern language classes
We’re committed to developing our students’ appreciation of language and culture. Learning a second language, learning about languages, and learning through language broaden our students’ horizons, preparing them for an increasingly globalised world. The ability to empathise with people from other cultures is also hugely important, as is developing a stronger sense of their own identity.
Years 1-6
- Our modern language classes meet for 45 minutes every day.
- We offer native and foreign language instruction in Dutch.
Years 7-9
- Our modern language classes meet for 45 minutes every day.
- We offer native language instruction in Dutch.
- We also offer foreign language instruction in Dutch and Spanish.
Years 10 and 11
- We offer native language instruction in Dutch.
- We also offer foreign language instruction in Dutch and Spanish.
Years 12 and 13
Our students have typically followed one language for at least three years by the end of Year 11. This enables them to continue their studies at IBDP level.
In Years 12 and 13, native language instruction (IB Language A) is offered in the following:
- English.
- Dutch.
- A self-taught option (our IB Coordinator will help your child to find a suitable tutor).
Foreign language instruction (IB Language B) is offered in the following:
- English.
- Dutch.
- Spanish.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with:
- Ms Gul Uyar, Head of Modern Languages, gul.uyar@naisr.nl
- Mr. Aidan Jones, IB Coordinator, aidan.jones@naisr.nl
