Q & A

We know that you may have many questions while choosing a school for your child. Please see if your question is answered here, and feel free to call us for more detail.

What is full language immersion?

“Full immersion” is a way of teaching language by completely immersing the learner in that language for most of each day. The learner will hear only the target language for both regular conversation (i.e. talk about getting dressed and eating meals), as well as subject matter learning (i.e. math and science). A significant body of research shows that with language immersion, young children learn their second language the same way they learned their first – by listening, absorbing, imitating, and then trying it out. The more time a child spends hearing and using the second language, the more fluent she will become.  Full immersion is in contrast to “partial immersion”  programs where half the day is taught in English and students achieve a lower level of language proficiency. The International School teaches a full immersion program.

What will the first days at TIS be like for my child?

Our teachers have many years of classroom experience, and they love children. Knowing that the children will not understand the spoken language at first, the teachers use their warmth, familiar activities, and visual cues to help the children understand and feel at home. For example, the teacher will pick up a scissors while saying “use your scissors” in the target language. The children quickly learn the Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish word for scissors. By the end of the first week, your child will know that the teacher is another grown-up who loves them and who happens to use different words.

Is any English used in TIS classrooms?

In general, it is extremely important that the teacher uses only the second language in the immersion classroom.  Speaking English may help comprehension at a particular moment, but in the long run it becomes a hindrance to learning the second language. If English is used regularly, the child will not focus on the Spanish, Chinese or Japanese instructions – he will simply wait for the English translation.

From preschool into the beginning of first grade, teachers speak to the children in the target language and expect that the children will answer in English. The children naturally use their second language as they become more comfortable with it – first with words, then sentences, then paragraphs. By second grade, the children are generally expected to use only their Spanish, Chinese or Japanese in the classroom.

Starting in first grade, all students study English language arts with English specialists for one hour every day. This allows them to grow their English skills to or beyond grade-appropriate levels by fifth grade. (See more on this topic below.) English is also used for art, music, PE and library.

Given all of the above, the teacher will use English as necessary – if a child needs to be comforted, and for issues of discipline and safety when complete understanding is necessary at that moment.

What if no one at home speaks Spanish, Chinese or Japanese?

Most of our families do not speak the language their child is learning, so our teachers are prepared for that. If and when parents are expected to help with homework, the instructions will be given in English. Parent notices and report cards are issued in English.

How will my child adjust to having class in a different language?

Many children are nervous about starting a new school, whether the program is in English or not. Your child may need some time to adjust to this new challenge. He may need more sleep than usual – an earlier bedtime often helps in the first month. By the beginning of October, every child should be over the initial adjustment and look forward to school.

How can I help my child with the transition to language immersion?

Encourage your child by telling her how proud you are that she is learning Chinese, Spanish, or Japanese. Take advantage of opportunities to expose your child to the immersion language and culture outside of school. This helps her see that the language is not just something for school, but something for life.

When will my child start speaking his/her second language?

All children will start to use their target language on their own and at their own individual pace. It is not uncommon for children to spend the first year just soaking up the second language. Just like young babies learning their first language, your child’s comprehension will increase daily, and but she may not be ready to speak it for some time. When the children are ready to speak, it’s amazing to see how much they know.Since children at The International School learn language in the context of every day life, their first words are often phrases like, “more juice please”, or “blue paper.” Because of this, it is awkward for children to be asked to “perform” for others. A request to “say something in Chinese” will seem most unnatural. Similarly, your preschooler may not understand the concept of translation. He is learning the meaning of his new language, and will start to think in his second language rather than translating his thoughts from English. Once your child shows a readiness to use his second language at home, encourage him to do so. Give him the benefit of the doubt if you are uncertain about his pronunciation or word usage.

Will my child’s English suffer?

Research on this question is both voluminous and unequivocal: studies consistently show that by the end of the elementary grades, immersion students perform as well as or better than non-immersion peers in English and math skills. Nevertheless, in the first few years of any immersion program, there may be certain lags in English language arts. However, there is significant transference of literacy skills between languages, and once formal English instruction is introduced (in first grade at TIS), children catch up quickly.

All our first through fifth grade students study English language arts daily. By third grade the lags are generally gone, and by fifth grade the immersion students’ English skills often surpass those of their non-immersion peers. The TIS English department has a list of recommendations for parents who wish to support their child’s literacy skills at home. Please see the English Literacy page on our web site under “About TIS.”

How will my child’s learning compare to her peers at other schools?

Do not give in to the temptation to compare your child’s progress to that of the neighbor children. No two teachers and no two students work at the same rate.

What kind of interaction will I have with my child’s teacher at TIS?

It is important that you and your child’s teachers have clear, open communication to help your child with successes and with any struggles that may occur.  At the very least you will receive weekly e-mails from your child’s teacher, in person parent/teacher conferences in November and March, and a formal report card in November, March and June. In addition, we encourage parents to get involved in class activities (i.e. field trips, class parties, special projects) and to contact the teacher proactively with any questions or concerns – while they are still small questions or concerns! Teachers generally have time for short conversations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school, and can always schedule longer meetings if necessary. If you pick up your child close to 3:15, it’s always great just to say hello for a quick touching base about the day.

Is immersion the right choice for my child?

Although every child is different, an immersion program will be an exciting and stimulating experience for most children and their families. The TIS program will enable your child to fully appreciate a diverse world, and to communicate freely with people in another language. Being bilingual will enhance job opportunities, and will make it easier to learn a third language. As you contemplate this decision, it is important to remember that your child will realize the full benefits of an immersion program by following the program all the way through fifth grade.

What will a typical day be like for my child?

Click here to read about the “typical day” in preschool and kindergarten.

How many students are at TIS?

Enrollment in PreK through 5th grade has been over 450 students for several years.

How many new students do you admit each year?

The most common times for new students to start at TIS are in prek (3-year-olds) and lowk (4-year-olds). We also enroll new students in kindergarten. Space availability differs from year to year, between the language tracks and grades based on the prior year’s enrollment and retention. Please contact the admissions director to find out more about the grade and language openings for your child.

How old do children need to be to start at TIS?

Children must be at least 3 years old and potty trained to start in prek. As long as space is available, students may start on any of our pre-set start dates after their third birthday.

For lowk, children must be 4 years old by September 1. For kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by September 1. As an independent school we have some flexibility with the September 1 date, but for the benefit of the child’s immediate and long term development we encourage parents not push children ahead of their chronological age peers.

Do you have before and after school programs?

Yes. All students may be dropped off at 7:30am at no extra charge. After school SquareGator provides on-site after school care until 6pm each day and on most no-school days, and many providers offer a wide variety of fun after school programs. See intlschool.org/parents/life/before-after/ for details.

What should I do now?

Please contact the Admissions office to schedule a tour, observe a class, or speak to a current parent. We would enjoy sharing our school with you during a visit.