Languages
Building linguistic proficiency in Khmer, French, and Mandarin
We believe that language is central to all learning, therefore, all teachers are language teachers who strive to promote and foster ways to communicate. We recognize the importance of home language (mother tongue) in the learning process. The aim is for all students to achieve the benefits of multilingualism, which values all languages and cultures and affirms the identity of each learner.
WORLD LANGUAGE CLASSES
Tailored for students learning a language beyond their mother tongue, our World Language Classes program encourages learners to communicate confidently and creatively in more than one language.
Through meaningful language acquisition and exposure to diverse cultures, students build strong foundations while developing an appreciation for different perspectives. Reflecting the IB learner profile, the program nurtures communicators who collaborate effectively in global contexts. Complemented by clear milestones and a consistent curriculum across grade levels, students experience purposeful progression throughout their language learning journey.
Students from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 9 participate in regular language classes, with options including Khmer, Mandarin, and French. Language study is optional from Grade 10 onward, with advanced language pathways available for students who wish to pursue greater fluency.
SPECIALIZED COURSES
Khmer First Language Classes
The Khmer First Language (Language A) program provides a robust framework for students in Senior Kindergarten to Grade 6 to strengthen linguistic skills while deepening their connection to their cultural heritage. Designed for students who speak Khmer at home or demonstrate a high level of proficiency, the curriculum focuses on developing advanced reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. To ensure every child succeeds, the program accommodates various skill levels within a supportive learning environment.
French Fluent Classes
The French Fluent course provides a pathway for students who possess the linguistic proficiency to thrive in a full French-speaking environment. Students in Grades 7–9 who have sufficient aptitude to engage in a French-speaking environment may choose to enrol in the French Fluent course. This course is designed for students who aspire to develop advanced linguistic competency in academic and professional contexts. Student readiness will be determined by the CEFR language proficiency criteria.
High School Khmer, French, and Mandarin Classes
Students studying Khmer, French, and Mandarin in Grades 10–12 may enrol in our credit-earning language and culture courses. The course is accredited by the Ministry of Education of the province of Alberta, Canada. It promotes a depth of understanding of language, culture, and history through a structured curriculum. Students can earn up to 15 credits toward an Alberta High School Diploma and will be prepared to continue their language studies at the university level.
BILINGUAL PROGRAMS
CIS students may apply to enrol in either the French Bilingual Program or the Mandarin Bilingual Program at the beginning of each school year. The Bilingual Program provides students with the opportunity to develop essential skills in speaking, reading, writing, listening, and communicating. Students study the Alberta (Canada) curriculum in French or Mandarin for approximately 35% of the school day. This immersive approach allows students to naturally integrate language learning into their daily academic journey.
Students in the French or Mandarin Bilingual Program are not required to take additional language classes.
French Bilingual Program
Students in Grades 1–6 can enrol in our French Bilingual Program, a purposeful pathway designed to build fluency and confidence in the French language. Engaging in cross-curricular subject areas (Units of Inquiry) in both French and English, students connect different subjects around a central theme and apply their learning to real-world situations in both languages.
Mandarin Bilingual Program
Our Mandarin Bilingual Program offers a rich, immersive experience for students from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 9 who are already proficient in Mandarin. Students engage in cross-curricular subject areas (Units of Inquiry) in both Mandarin and English. By exploring a single theme through multiple academic disciplines, students build critical thinking skills and see how their classroom learning relates to the world around them. From Grades 7–9, Mandarin Bilingual students will take Social Studies in Mandarin.
IDBP LANGUAGE ACQUISITION COURSES
Grades 11–12 students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme (DP) are required to complete at least one language acquisition course as part of their studies. The modern language courses are designed to help students master the use of a language across a variety of academic and social contexts. Beyond linguistic proficiency, the curriculum encourages a deeper appreciation of different cultures through the lens of language.
CIS offers the following IBDP language acquisition courses:
- Chinese B HL/SL
- Mandarin ab initio SL only
- French ab initio SL only
- French B HL/SL