Language Policy

The language policy is a working document developed by the Academic Council Team Members from our

schools (i.e., Boys’ and Girls’ Sections). This document summarizes our school’s linguistic and academic

goals and defines the programme designed to help our students attain these goals.

The main purpose of this policy document is to provide an overview and guiding principles for language

learning at AIS which runs through the entire school curriculum through authentic contexts in a culturally

rich and diverse environment. Our policy is a statement of agreement – one to which the staff and the AIS

community are asked to commit to so our school can achieve its mission.

The language policy stimulates life-long learning. Developing language learning skills gives students the

capacity to solve problems, think critically and act creatively. Language empowers students to

understand, interpret and respond to ideas, attitudes and feelings. Information literacy and technology

also provide a gateway to life-long learning and a rich range of language learning opportunities.

The language policy recognises the transfer of cognitive skills from the mother tongue to English and vice

versa and the acquisition of additional languages. This process encourages the acquisition of higher order

thinking skills and development of multiple perspectives. The policy also recognises the importance of all

teachers differentiating instruction for students at different levels of language acquisition

AIS aims to nurture an appreciation of the richness and diversity of language. Language does much more

than promote cognitive growth; it is crucial for maintaining cultural identity and emotional stability. The

acquisition of more than one language and maintenance of the mother tongue enrich personal growth

and help facilitate international understanding. As language, by its very nature, is integrated into all areas

of the curriculum every teacher within the school is considered a language teacher.

At AIS, the aim is to foster in students the ability to think and express themselves with precision, clarity,

confidence and imagination in at least two languages. Language development in more than one language

enriches personal growth, provides cognitive advantages and is essential to the development of

international mindedness. The school strives to address the particular challenges of those students who

are learning in a language other than their mother tongue by providing an integrated, well-implemented

English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme at all school sections. We endeavour to integrate

students’ Islamic, cultural and linguistic heritage throughout the curriculum.

LANGUAGE PROFILE AND ADMISSIONS POLICIES

Although every student in our school speaks English as a medium of communication and instruction, we

have more than 30 different nationalities that use their mother tongues to communicate outside the

classrooms. All of our administrative and teaching staff speaks English and the majority is fluent in at least

one other language.