Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD), a leading international day and boarding school in Dubai, is enhancing its curriculum with the launch of a new IB Bilingual Arabic / English programme for children aged 3-6 years (Pre-KG to KG2): an initiative that is unique to SISD. With this exciting development, SISD will complement its existing bilingual programmes (French and German)while also now supporting and encouraging Emirati and Arab families. High-quality, personalized learning takes place in a one-of-a-kind setting that draws on local UAE and Arabic cultural and linguistic contexts while preparing students for their place in an interconnected world.
The new IB Bilingual Arabic / English programme is driven by growing demand from parents who realize that multilingualism and intercultural understanding are a key factor in future employment and opportunities for their children, and who want to immerse them in Arabic language and values from an early age.Students will be taught Classical Arabic and English by two teachers in a co-teaching environment, with rich and meaningful exposure to both languages throughout the day. An additional focus will be placed on the teaching of Arabic culture, heritage and traditions by means of storytelling, music, arts and drama, to ensure that students are fully conversant in all elements of the UAE and Arabic ways of life.
Amina El Difrawi, Head of Early Years at SISD said: “As a truly bilingual IB school, this new programme of Arabic / English is a compelling addition to our existing bilingual programmes at SISD. We are delighted to be able to incorporate the local language of the Middle East with our innovative and successful co-teaching language approach and IB experience. This is a unique programme in Dubai, and one that we believe will appeal not only to local Emirati and Arabic speaking families, but also to expat families wanting their young children to build a more profound understanding of the Arabic language and culture. The programme will also be enriched by UAE and Arab customs, traditions, heritage, and will include Classical Arabic language arts, music, story-telling.”
The SISD IB Bilingual Arabic / English programme will launch in September 2021. This development comes soon after SISD’s launch of a premium and personalized STEAM programme in September 2020. The future-focused and integrated approach to learning focuses on a wider range of knowledge that is content specific. It uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.
