Mother language as starting point
Not only do we value the various languages spoken in our school community, but also we strongly encourage students to develop a knowledge of the mother language(s). Research shows that children learn best in a language they already understand (UNESCO, 2016).
We, teachers, witness every day in the classroom that students’ mother language serves as a scaffolding strategy for language skills development and content learning. In other words, Students’ mother language forms an essential starting point in language learning.
A multilingual world
21st of February was International Mother Language Day. International Mother Language Day is celebrated all over the world to raise awareness of linguistic diversity and multilingualism around the world.
During our primary assembly last week, we recognized and celebrated all the different languages we have here at NISC. These statistics were also shared with the students, and they had a chance to ponder the importance of maintaining mother language:
Continue to support your child’s mother language
To sum up, a strong mother language foundation is the key for successful multilingual education. At Northbridge, students are encouraged to draw on all their linguistic and cognitive resources by bringing their languages, cultures and previous life experiences.
The best way for parents to support their child’s mother language development is to spend time with their children. Give your child a chance to talk about his/her school work in mother language. Discuss the material and the key terms with your child. This will aid your child on his/her journey to become multilinguals.
Last week, our second annual NISC Cup kicked off, with four schools and over one hundred students facing off to see who would be taking home the silverware on offer in separate boys’ and girls’ competitions. Last year CIA girls’ team won a thrilling final and were hoping that the cup would be returning to their school for a second year in a row, while our own NISC boys’ team were hoping to retain their hard won 2023 title.
World Children's Day, celebrated on November 20th, is a global occasion dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of children everywhere.
Metacognition is the process of thinking about one’s own thinking. It involves reflecting on how you come to conclusions, understanding why you think the way you do, and recognizing patterns in your thought processes. By developing an awareness of your thinking, you can learn to reduce cognitive biases or identify and reuse effective thought processes in different situations. Essentially, metacognition helps people become more intentional and effective in their actions and decision-making.
At Northbridge International School Early Learning, we believe that children's curiosity is a powerful tool for learning, sparking discoveries that help them develop important skills for life. Through loose parts play, we create an environment where children’s natural inquisitiveness shines.
