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Languages at KIS

KIS believes that language underpins the foundation for thinking and the development of self-expression. Here at KIS, students from many linguistic backgrounds come together to learn, with English being their shared language; the language of instruction and inclusion at KIS.

The acquisition of more than one language enriches personal growth and promotes international understanding, therefore, knowledge of a second language is an essential element of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes. Additionally, KIS supports the IB’s beliefs that continued development of the home language (the native or first language of a student, and the language(s) student speaks most often at home and uses for daily communication with family) is crucial for maintaining identity, cultural understanding and empathy.

As outlined in our 2020-25 Strategic Plan, KIS is excited to build upon our language offerings and language programme framework schoolwide over the next few years as part of our school development initiatives.

Please see the list of languages that KIS can support with external tutoring:

Bahasa Indonesian Literature

Burmese Langauge & Literature

Dutch Literature

French Literature | French Language & Literature

German Literature & Acquisition

Hebrew Language & Literature

Hindi Language & Literature

Hungarian Literature

Japanese Language & Literature

Korean Literature

Mandarin A Language & Literature

Norwegian Language & Literature

Russian Language & Literature

Serbian Literature

Spanish Language & Literature

Swedish Literature

Tamil Language & Literature

Thai Language Acquisition

English as an Additional Language

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme has been developed to help non-native English speakers develop their English proficiency in order to access the curriculum and fully interact with their peers in a common language. Students receive EAL support according to their individual needs. This is provided during the regular school day, either in the classroom (Primary School only) or by individual or small group support (or a combination of both).

Students in Secondary School must have a certain level of competency in English in order to be successful with the KIS Middle Years Programme and be fully prepared to work toward the IB Diploma. Students who enter KIS from Grade 6 and up who require English support will enter an EAL programme designed according to their English language proficiency. They will not study Language & Literature English, Individuals & Societies or Sciences until such time as they are able to participate fully in these classes without support. Other subject areas such as Mathematics, Thai Studies, Design, Physical & Health Education, and the Arts will take place within the mainstream classroom. Students must complete the EAL programme by the end of the 9th grade in order to be prepared for the demands of the Diploma Programme. Please note that students will only be admitted to KIS if they are expected to be fully mainstreamed by the end of Grade 9.

For Early Years students who are not yet proficient in English, language acquisition occurs through language immersion; organized and spontaneous play and group activities help develop comprehension skills and establish a more extensive vocabulary, to support immersion in the classroom.

Since language skills at all levels are key to accessing the curriculum, KIS has developed extensive strategies, curriculums and procedures to ensure that language is a focus in all learning areas across the school.

Thai Language Programmes

The Thai Language programme supports the home language of our host country students, and together with Thai Studies meets the Thai Ministry of Education approved language and culture curriculum. All Thai students are required by law to participate in this programme throughout their school years. In the Primary School, students join the Thai as an Additional Language Programme. Likewise, Non-Thai Students who make Thailand their home and can speak Thai fluently may be assessed and join the Thai Language Programme.

Thai for Beginners

This course offers a supportive starting point for students who are new to the Thai language. This language course is designed to provide differentiated support for students who have little knowledge of Thai Language or culture.

The Aim of Beginner Thai is to develop the following:

1. A strong foundation in Thai pronunciation
2. Vocabulary for everyday communication
3. Confidence in basic speaking and listening
4. Understand Thai culture
5. Skills that support multilingual development

Language Acquisition (Language B)

In the Secondary School, Spanish and Mandarin are offered as a second language to non-Thai students and as a third language option for those qualifying Thai students. Students typically should maintain two to five years of instruction to be eligible to continue studying with Language B or Literature in the IB Diploma programme. An alternative course for beginners is offered in Mandarin and Spanish in the Diploma Programme. This course is known as Ab Initio and is an equally acceptable course for earning an IB Diploma and for university admissions.

Additional Language Programmes

KIS will assist in setting up additional language programmes upon request. This can be done at primary and secondary levels through after school classes, personal tutorials and small group tuition.

The Program for Additional Languages (ALP) is designed to support students in their journey to develop and maintain proficiency in their home or other language not formally offered by the school. Secondary school families incur no charges for program facilitation, however, they are responsible for hiring a tutor and, in some instances, acquiring necessary course materials.

ALP - Secondary School Language Options

In the Secondary School, students have the opportunity to study their home language at either the Language Acquisition or Language and Literature level, depending on their fluency. This option allows students to continue their home language studies all the way to IB DP/CP. This course of study requires home support and an understanding of the challenges of independent study. Parents are required to discuss the logistics of this option with the Principal.

MYP Students

All MYP students at KIS are required to study two languages. English is a compulsory Language and Literature subject for all students, and the second language options include:

Thai Language and Literature: For Thai passport-holding students.
Thai Language Acquisition with External Tutor: For Thai passport-holding students whose proficiency does not meet requirements (based on placement test score and Thai teacher’s evaluation).

Additionally, students may choose one of the following options for their second language:

  1. One Language Acquisition course (Language B) in Spanish Language Acquisition or Mandarin Language Acquisition.
  2. Other Language in Language & Literature or Language Acquisition with External Tutor: Available at an additional cost.


For Thai Passport holding students taking three languages during school hours, Thai Studies will not be included in their daily class schedule. Instead, they will have one period per week dedicated to Thai Studies as an extracurricular activity (ECA).

Third Language Entrance Criteria

In addition to students needing to show a strong capacity in English and Thai (or home language if relevant), the entrance criteria for the Third Language program includes the following:

  • The school will carefully evaluate the transition to a three-language profile by looking at the student’s full academic and personal profile. This includes not only their interests but also a review of their academic reports, MAP test results, social skills, and self-management abilities to ensure they can thrive under a heavier workload.
  • Thai Passport holders must select a Thai option as one of their two languages and can add up to three languages.
    • Students with lower language proficiency are encouraged to take the ALP Language & Literature for Thai, which is facilitated by a paid tutor.
  • Some KIS students opt to study three languages, with the following options available:
    • English L&L + Thai L&L + Mandarin LA / Spanish LA
    • English L&L + Mandarin LA / Spanish LA + Additional Language Program (including Thai LA)
    • English L&L + Thai L&L + Additional Language Program

DP / CP students

DP and CP students can continue their language studies, with courses offered in Mandarin and Spanish as Language B or Ab Initio, Mandarin L&L or Non-DP Thai (at additional cost). Students can also choose some options in School-supported Self-taught Literature courses, or Language B or Ab initio in selected languages using online resources like Pamoja.

Contact Hours and Fees

For all ALP courses in MYP, a minimum requirement of 50 teaching periods per year, approximately 3 periods every two weeks, is mandated. The school assists in finding suitable classrooms for tutoring and provides curricular documents aligned with IB MYP/DP requirements and school report card standards.