Many parents assume their child needs strong English skills to access an international education. As a result, they often turn to English centres, hoping that one day their child will be ready to enrol. While this may be true for some schools, others, like the British International School Hanoi (BIS Hanoi), take a different approach.
At BIS Hanoi, English as an Additional Language (EAL) is not a separate track, but a whole-school commitment. Specialist EAL educators work closely with classroom teachers who are trained to support multilingual learners. This integrated model helps students progress from limited English proficiency to confident, independent learners capable of achieving outstanding academic outcomes. The immersive environment ensures incredible progression.
Mr. Quoc Minh, a BIS Hanoi parent, explained:
“We have many English teaching schools in Hanoi, but BIS is the only British school. And from my personal point of view, once you study English, you need to send them to the British school.”
His daughter joined BIS Hanoi after attending a local public school with limited English exposure. Today, she’s thriving.
“The final result doesn’t lie, right? She got offers from three medical universities in Europe.”
At the British International School Hanoi, students enter with varying levels of English ability and with the right support, they adapt quickly and grow with confidence.
On the Primary campus, English learning is all about building strong foundations, not just in language, but in confidence and connection.
“We really focus on those basic language skills to help the students express their feelings, because that’s the base. That helps them build confidence,” explained Ms Laurence Cabanne, newly appointed Head of Primary. “A child who joined two years ago with absolutely no English has now graduated from the EAL programme. He’s made leaps and bounds of progress, and in a very short time frame.”
Ms Sumin Min, a parent of two children at BIS Hanoi, shared how her son progressed after joining in Early Years.
“He didn’t speak any English at all. He couldn’t understand what they said. He just came to school and listened. The class teacher supported him to speak, to play with his friends. After two years, he was totally different. We could really see the results, and that’s exciting.”
For Ms Veronica and Mr Luiz, the phonics-based approach to early English learning made a noticeable difference for their youngest daughter, Larissa:
“The language was the first challenge she faced. The phonics method, which we didn’t even know about before, was very helpful. Larissa started from zero, and now, after only two years, she speaks naturally. In just four months, she was already reading. At home, she teaches me. It’s so funny.”
These early years form the foundation not just for language, but for confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.
On the Secondary campus, English learners at BIS Hanoi receive tailored support from specialist EAL teachers, both in mainstream classes and through dedicated sessions outside the classroom. For students who need more intensive language support, EAL replaces a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) in Years 7–9 or one IGCSE option in Years 10–11, ensuring students receive the time and attention needed to thrive.
For Beatriz, who joined BIS Hanoi from Brazil, it was her first experience in an international school and her first time using English daily.
“I was very nervous at first,” she shared. “But I feel like I’ve developed my English a lot, and I’ve gained much more confidence to speak in public.”
In just two years, Beatriz became Head Student and now plans to study medicine and become a doctor, a powerful reflection of her academic and personal growth.
Runa, who joined BIS Hanoi in Year 10, shares a similar story:
“I entered BIS with almost no English. When I took EAL classes, the teachers supported my speaking, writing, and listening skills, as well as providing academic support. I gained enough English for academic learning in one year.”
Today, Runa is studying the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), one of the most academically rigorous programmes in the world.
These students are not just catching up. They’re excelling, equipped with the language, confidence, and mindset to succeed.
Every new student completes an English placement assessment to determine the right level of support. From there, the EAL programme places students into tiered levels based on their needs. With small-group instruction from specialist teachers and integration into mainstream lessons, students receive focused, personalised support that evolves as they grow.
Most students graduate from the EAL programme within 18–24 months, a milestone proudly celebrated during school assemblies, where learners are recognised for their achievement with certificates in front of their peers.
Parents are kept informed through regular reports each term, creating opportunities to support and encourage progress at home. For families, it’s more than just learning English; it’s seeing their child grow in confidence, communication, and independence.
If you’re looking for more than English support - if you want your child to grow in confidence, find their voice, and thrive in a truly international environment - BIS Hanoi offers a proven path.
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