Our beliefs

Learning another language is not only different words for the same things but learning another way to think about thingsFlora Lewis

Why is language acquisition so important?

In our daily lives, we use words to communicate with others. Yet language offers far greater opportunities for exploring conceptual awareness, nurturing logical thinking skills and deepening our understanding of who we are. If we are not sensitive about how we use language, we cannot convey our feelings accurately. It could be said therefore, that language reflects the personality of the individual itself. For example, we see the rising demand for acquiring English as an additional language in Japan. Yet, the objectives of learning must go beyond the visible, surface-level acquisition because language provides the fundamental role in forming personalities of individuals.
To this end, we at Sunnyside, recognise the importance of providing Japanese as the primary language whilst offering English as a second language in varied degrees of exposure throughout the school.

Collaborative Team of Teachers

In accordance with our language policy, Japanese homeroom teachers lead classroom across the Kindergarten division in collaboration with English specialist teachers. Collaborative planning meetings are conducted within grade level teams where discussions are shared to identify learning objectives shared by all the teachers. For instance, English specialist teachers may explore concepts within the unit of inquiry learning conducted in Japanese to deepen understanding for the children. 。

A Love of Reading

Nurturing a love of learning can begin from exposure to stories and books in every young child’s life. Books provide an avenue for children to explore their thoughts and feelings and tools for researching and understanding knowledge. Reading is a life skill required to support, aid and inspire each learner at any age. We strongly believe it is our role as a school to provide an enticing and safe learning environment for children to develop a love of reading and to share the importance of reading to our wider school community.

Aligning with the PYP

In reviewing our language policy, we recognise our beliefs and values align closely to the philosophy of the PYP enhancements:

In summary, we believe:

• Language learning includes the development of home and family languages, languages of the school, additional languages and literacy.
• Language is a means of affirming and expressing cultural identity and developing international-mindedness.
• Multilingualism benefits learners and the learning community in a variety of ways.
• Schools provide students with multiple, authentic opportunities to learn language, learn about language and learn through language.
• The student language portrait is a tool that captures a learner’s complex language profile.



Language in the PYP: Learning and teaching; Language
From Principles Into Practice; PYP (2020)