Language Options

Language Immersion Program – Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten
WIS offers a total Language Immersion Program in French or Spanish. Experience in French or Spanish is not needed. Many children enter WIS for Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, or Kindergarten speaking only English, while others are fluent in or have some knowledge of Spanish or French. Still others speak another language. Our three Early Years grades are open to all levels of language learners.

Dual Language Program – English/French and English/Spanish – Grades 1 through 5
WIS offers a Dual Language Program in English/French and English/Spanish. Students spend alternating days of academic instruction time in English and French or Spanish. Applicants are expected to be reading, writing, and speaking on grade level in French or Spanish and will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.

French as an Additional Language (FAL) – Grades 1 through 5
This program is open to beginning French learners, as well as to students who have some knowledge of French, but are not yet ready to join the Dual Language Program. Grade-level proficiency in English is required.

Spanish as an Additional Language (SAL) – Grades 1 through 5
This program is open to beginning Spanish learners as well as to students who have some knowledge of Spanish, but are not yet ready to join the Dual Language Program. Grade-level proficiency in English is required.

Our Primary School welcomes all levels of language learners. The top chart summarizes programs and levels of language proficiency while the other charts are language-specific.

PROGRAM	GRADES	PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
LANGUAGE IMMERSION French and Spanish	Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten	Total language immersion. Open to all language learners. No prior knowledge of French or Spanish required.
DUAL LANGUAGE English/French English/Spanish	Grades 1-5	English, and French or Spanish. Open to those who are reading, writing, and speaking on grade level in French or Spanish.
French/Spanish as an Additional Language (FAL/SAL)	Grades 1-5	English, and French or Spanish. Open to beginners and intermediate language learners. No prior knowledge of French or Spanish required.

 

FRENCH LANGUAGE PROGRAM OPTIONS
GRADE LEVEL	FRENCH BEGINNER	FRENCH INTERMEDIATE	FRENCH ADVANCED/FLUENT
Preschool	X	X	X
Pre-Kindergarten	X	X	X
Kindergarten	X	X	X
Grade 1	X	X	X
Grade 2	X	X	X
Grade 3	X	X	X
Grade 4	X	X	X
Grade 5	X	X	X

 

 

SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM OPTIONS
GRADE LEVEL	SPANISH BEGINNER	SPANISH INTERMEDIATE	SPANISH ADVANCED/FLUENT
Preschool	X	X	X
Pre-Kindergarten	X	X	X
Kindergarten	X	X	X
Grade 1	X	X	X
Grade 2	X	X	X
Grade 3	X	X	X
Grade 4	X	X	X
Grade 5	X	X	X

 

In Grades 6, 7, and 8, WIS offers the language programs outlined below.

SECOND LANGUAGE OPTIONS

• Beginning French (Applicants to Grades 6 and 7 only): No previous experience is required. All other classes are taught in English.
• Transitional French (Applicants to Grade 6 only): An intensive French program designed for students with a strong academic background who have an intermediate level of proficiency in French. Students are expected to transition into the Dual Language English/French Program in the second semester of Grade 6. Applicants will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Intermediate French (Applicants to Grades 7 and 8 only): Applicants should have an intermediate level of proficiency. All other classes are taught in English. Applicants will have their French proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Dual Language Program in English/French (Grades 6, 7, 8): Students who are highly proficient/fluent in French have their humanities (history, geography) and language classes taught in French. All other classes are taught in English. Applicants will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Beginning Spanish (Applicants to Grades 6 and 7 only): No previous experience is required. All other classes are taught in English.
• Transitional Spanish (Applicants to Grade 6 only): An intensive Spanish program designed for students with a strong academic background who have an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. Students are expected to transition into the Dual Language English/Spanish Program in the second semester of Grade 6. Applicants will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Intermediate Spanish (Grades 7 and 8 only): Applicants should have an intermediate level of proficiency. All other classes are taught in English. Applicants will have their Spanish proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Dual Language Program in English/Spanish (Grades 6, 7, 8): Students who are highly proficient/fluent in Spanish have their humanities (history, geography) and language classes taught in Spanish. All other classes are taught in English. Applicants will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.

ELECTIVE OPTIONS

• Beginning Chinese – Mandarin (Grade 6, elective only): Available only to students in the Dual Language programs. Taken in addition to the English/Spanish or English/French program.
• Intermediate Chinese – Mandarin (Grades 7 and 8, elective only): Available only to students in the Dual Language programs. Taken in addition to the English/Spanish or English/French program. Applicants will have their language proficiency assessed during the admissions process.

English Language Support
Middle School students whose first language is not English are expected to have a strong foundation in English (intermediate to advanced level). English language support is available; however, because of our rigorous academic program, students must be proficient at or near grade level (reading, writing, and speaking). If a student has never studied English or if his or her English skills are not yet at or near grade level, please contact the Admissions Office to discuss program recommendations.

In Grades 9 to 12, WIS offers the language programs outlined below.

• Spanish Intermediate/Advanced: A program for those with an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency. Applicants will have their Spanish proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Spanish Advanced/Fluent: Requires applicants to be highly proficient/fluent. Applicants will have their Spanish proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• French Intermediate/Advanced: A program for those with an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency. Applicants will have their French proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• French Advanced/Fluent: Requires applicants to be highly proficient/fluent. Applicants will have their French proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Chinese (Mandarin) Intermediate/Advanced: A program for those with an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency. Applicants should have approximately five years of previous instruction. Applicants will have their Chinese proficiency assessed during the admissions process.
• Language Tutorial: Applicants with a strong academic background in another approved IB language (e.g. German, Russian, Arabic) can request to study the language on a tutorial basis. Additional fees will apply.
• Spanish ab initio (Applicants to Grade 11 only): A beginning language program. Additional fees will apply.
• French ab initio (Applicants to Grade 11 only): A beginning language program. Additional fees will apply.

English Language Support
Upper School students whose first language is not English are expected to have a very strong foundation in English (advanced level). English language support is available; however, because of our rigorous academic program and the fact that the IB examinations are conducted in English, students must be proficient at or near grade level (reading, writing, and speaking). If a student has never studied English or if his or her English skills are not yet at or near grade level, please contact the Admissions Office to discuss program recommendations.