Statement of Philosophy

Language learning at TISA is based on the philosophy that language is learned best when it is integrated in meaningful contexts. In practice this means that language learning is integrated as much as possible into the Primary School Units of Inquiry and into the Secondary School MYP Areas of Interaction. The teaching of language structure, grammar, spelling and vocabulary are taught as much as possible in the above context and have relevance within that context. The ELS specialists work closely with homeroom teachers to plan the units and provide support within the classroom to ensure that ELS students have access to the curriculum and are active participants in the mainstream classroom.

TISA ELS Program

Students applying to TISA who are non-native speakers of English are potential candidates for the English Language Support program (ELS). The aim of the ELS program is to equip incoming students with the conversational, social, cultural and academic language skills needed in order to integrate into the school as quickly as possible. The ELS Program is designed to enable students to:

• use the language confidently and effectively as a means of communication
• develop the language skills required to access the curriculum
• develop skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and presenting
• develop strategies for dealing with unfamiliar texts and language
• feel comfortable, confident and eager to learn in a supportive caring learning environment

The ELS Department uses a range of assessments to determine placement into the program. Students placed in the ELS program receive English language support in the homeroom class from the ELS teacher who goes into the homeroom class on a regular basis. From P5-P8, ELS students also attend three classes per week where they are provided with English language instruction instead of attending a foreign language class.

The ELS teacher works closely with the homeroom teacher and attends all meetings to plan the Units of Inquiry. In-class language support ensures that ELS students have equal access to the curriculum and are active participants in the homeroom class. During the ELS classes, language is taught in the meaningful context of the PYP Units of Inquiry in an effort to reinforce skills required in the homeroom class.

The homeroom teacher and the ELS teacher assess students on an ongoing basis using a variety of assessment tools and strategies. Students exit the ELS program when the ELS teacher and the homeroom teacher agree that the student has reached a level of English language proficiency to meet the grade level curriculum expectations.


Teachers