Native Language @ ISB

Community Resources

November 6, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Sign Up for “Raising Multilinguals: How?” A Follow-Up Parent Workshop

How can parents nurture native language besides speaking it with their children and enrolling them in classes?

Find out by joining us on November 25, 2020, from 8:15-9:45 a.m., for the workshop Raising Multilinguals How? Unlocking the World Through Language-Rich Experiences.

In this workshop, a followup to Raising Multilinguals, we will explore how families can promote literacy (reading and writing) and rich conversation, in support of the family language plan.

Parents of students in PreK through Grade 12 are welcome! Please sign up here if you plan to attend. The workshop will be held in the MS/HS Library’s Literary Lounge, unless sign-ups require a larger room to meet physical distancing guidelines. If you have any questions, please write: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

October 15, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Sign Up for Raising Multilinguals Parent Workshop

 
On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, from 7:45-9:15 a.m., ISB faculty and administrators will offer a workshop for parents from all divisions (ES, MS, HS) about maintaining students’ native languages while they also study in English at ISB. 
 
At this workshop, faculty and administrators will:
  • Present reasons to maintain native language, based on research
  • Describe language classes and resources available at ISB
  • Discuss the importance of making a family language plan
Please join us! Parents of students in PreK through Grade 12 are welcome. In order to ensure that we have enough space to comply with the current physical distancing guidelines, please sign up here if you plan to attend. We will confirm the location prior to the event. 
 
For further information, please email: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

September 25, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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ISB Language Snapshot, Semester 1, 2020-2021

What languages might you hear on ISB’s campus these days? Here is a snapshot based on student data for Semester 1, 2020-2021 (click image to enlarge).

Note: This graphic shows the number of students for whom each language is listed as Student Language in PowerSchool. The data is incomplete, as multilingual students could report only one Student Language, and some families did not report a language. To check on your child’s language data, please contact: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

September 8, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Planning for an IB Bilingual Diploma

When making a family language plan, some ISB families include a bilingual IB diploma. This is a diploma received at the end of high school, when the student has earned a score of 3 or above in two A languages selected from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program course studies in language and/or literature.

Excelling in language and/or literature in two A/native languages is quite a challenge. Families interested in the IB bilingual diploma will want to support and maintain their children’s native language(s) from as early an age as possible; they should also reach out to the Vice Principal in the Middle School or the Dean of Academics in the High School regarding questions on pathways and levels of proficiency needed to support success.

Questions? Email nativelanguage@isb.ac.th for an introduction to a counselor, administrator, or teacher who might be able to assist you.

ISB’s Class of 2020 had 36 students who earned a bilingual diploma. Their languages were Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Turkish.

Currently in ISB’s High School, in addition to languages taught during the school day, IB students are studying Danish, Dutch, Hebrew, Hungarian and Norwegian independently.

August 21, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Schedule Your Class in Panther Native Language Academy

Thank you to everyone who signed up in CHQ for after-school Native Language classes! The next step is to schedule your classes.

For Dutch, please contact the Dutch Cultural Society directly.

For French and Spanish, please email the Native Language Coordinator: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

For German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and PreK 2 Thai, please complete the Google Form you received by noon on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

If you have questions anytime, please email us: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

Have a wonderful weekend!

August 6, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Register Online for Panther Native Language Academy

Welcome to the 2020-21 school year at ISB! We are excited to welcome students back to campus per ISB’s reopening plan!

Three updates about Native Language classes after-school:

  • The Native Language Academy will now be called the Panther Native Language Academy, because it is part of after-school Panther Activities.
  • Registration and payment for Panther Native Language Academy classes will be done online through the new CHQ system, open August 10-19, 2020.
  • The fee for ALL Panther Native Language Academy classes in Semester 1 will be 7,000 THB plus nominal Activities fees, viewable in CHQ.

Panther Native Language Academy classes will still be formed based on students’ schedules, language needs, and age. The Native Language Coordinator will gather this information from parents by email and Google Forms, as in past years. 

The Semester 1 fee is calculated based on 500 THB/one-hour weekly class session, held for 14 weeks. For students K and up whose families pay this fee for one session per week, ISB will fund a second class session per week if there is adequate demand. PreK 2 classes meet once per week only. 

Depending on when after-school classes in each language begin, some classes may not meet for 14 full weeks in Semester 1. For students in classes that do not meet for 14 full weeks, a portion of their Semester 1 fee will be credited to Semester 2.

If you wish your child(ren) to take Panther Native Language Academy classes in Semester 1, kindly register in CHQ between August 10 and August 19. Also, watch for email from the Native Language Coordinator about your child(ren)’s class schedule.

Most Panther Native Language Academy classes will begin in early September. Classes will not begin earlier than August 24. The start date for each language will be announced by email when the schedule is final. 

If you have questions anytime, please email us: nativelanguage@isb.ac.th

Here’s to a language-rich school year!

June 5, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Five Students Publish Essays in Asahi Shimbun

During the 2019-20 school year, five students in the HS Japanese Native II and MS Native Japanese classes published essays in the Asahi Shimbun, a premier Japanese national newspaper. The students wrote about navigating overseas moves and about their intercultural identities.

Click images below to enlarge.

Kotoha (HS) wrote about negotiating academic English and classroom discussions at international school (November 20, 2019): 

Lisa (HS) described maintaining two family languages, Japanese and Korean, with inspiration from a friend (November 26, 2019):

 

Emina (MS) called for acceptance of people with a wide variety of physical appearances in Japanese society (January 7, 2020):

 

Satomi (MS) reflected on flying to Japan to be with an ailing grandparent, who struggled to communicate (January 16, 2020):

 

Karen (MS) urged that virtual reality and artificial intelligence be used to foster intercultural empathy (January 28, 2020):

 

The students drafted and submitted their essays as part of Media and Culture units instructed by Kahoru Nakamachi. The units called for writing one’s opinion with a particular outlet, audience, purpose, and style in mind.

Students in prior years have published essays about striving and about similarities and differences between Japanese and international school. 

Comparative reflection about one’s cultures, and writing for an authentic audience, are key tasks for multilingual students and highly valued at ISB.

May 18, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 21 ISB Languages

Many ISB families are enjoying Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone this month, thanks to the MS Faculty Read-Aloud. Did you know that this book is free online in many languages during COVID-19? 

To browse the ebook, audiobook, and print versions available in Thailand, visit Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 21 ISB Languages!

(Tip: log in to Sora first.)

Happy reading and listening!

May 2, 2020
by ISB Native Language Programs
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Panthers Pounce Reading Challenge: Read in Any Language!

Panthers Pounce is a school-wide May reading challenge where everyone—students, staff, and families—can join the fun in ANY language! To participate, read in any/all of your languages during May and log your reading time here. (Choose the Students or Adults box on the right side of the page.)

Happy reading in ANY language!