PYP policy
Language.
Rooted in identity, open to the world.
Language is at the heart of identity and culture. It is the basis for thinking, communicating and learning about the world.
Every student’s mother tongue matters, and it is supported at school while they learn other languages.
To build international-mindedness, every student learns at least two languages: English, and one other. All teachers are language teachers, so students grow in English across every subject. We also give high respect to Hindi, the national language, and Tamil, the language of Tamil Nadu.
Languages at The Pupil
English is the language of instruction for all subjects, except other languages, where the target language is used with English as support. Outside the classroom, students and teachers are free to use the language of their choice.
We are developing a spelling guide so that students use either US or British spelling consistently, never a mix of both.
Language options
Students in Forms 1 to 3 study Tamil, as required by the State Government, and choose Hindi or French. From Form 4, students choose one of the three languages.
| Form | Additional language |
|---|---|
| Forms 1, 2 and 3 | Tamil, plus Hindi or French |
| Forms 4 and 5 | One of Hindi, Tamil or French |
Language and admission
English is the main language of communication for our students. Every student applying to The Pupil takes an admission test that checks their English.
Language in practice
- We support language development in a caring, student-centred way.
- All teachers are language teachers and give prompt feedback on language in their classes.
- We offer as many languages as practically possible, with active teaching and support.
- Language learning is matched to each student’s age and needs.
Host country language and culture
India has many languages, and we celebrate them through assemblies and events such as:
- Independence Day: performances in different languages that show India’s linguistic diversity.
- Hindi Utsav: a celebration of the Hindi language.
- Language Day: a celebration of the language of the state.
Local languages are also part of school events. For example, Sports Day commentary may be in Hindi, Tamil and English.
Support for English learners
Students whose second language is English receive dedicated support:
- Dictionaries, online and offline, between their language and English.
- An English as a Second Language section in the library, with books, video and audio.
- Set time each week for reading, writing, viewing and presenting in English.
- A plan, led by English teachers with subject teachers, that builds the language each subject needs.
- Practice sheets and resources to build vocabulary.
- A buddy system that pairs them with first-language English speakers.
- Differentiated work, peer learning in mixed groups, and extra time when needed.
The library
The library is central to our language programme and a place that celebrates all languages. It holds fiction, non-fiction, picture books, world classics, reference books, and books in English, Tamil, Hindi and other languages, along with bilingual books. Language support material includes Hindi and French magazines, a Hindi newspaper, and Hindi, Tamil, French and Korean dictionaries.
Every Early Years classroom has its own library corner, and every class has a class library. Teachers hold lessons in the library, and the library team runs events such as author week and poetry month to make reading part of school life.
Parents and community
Parents are part of our community of learners. They volunteer in classrooms, support mother-tongue learners and students who need learning support, and help with Language Day.
Teacher development
- Training for all teachers on text forms.
- Training on reading and writing strategies.
- Subject teachers work with language teachers to build language into their lessons.
Mother tongue
The mother tongue plays an important role in a student’s personality and identity, and no student or teacher is ever disciplined for using it. In class, it is used as a support language, for example to draw on what students already know or to explore cultural beliefs, so that it does not hold back fluency in English.
Festivals and morning assemblies are held in English, Hindi and the regional language.
Policy review
The Language Policy Steering Committee, made up of the Director, the Principal, the PYP Coordinator, the Curriculum Coordinator and the Language department, reviews this policy twice a year.
Last reviewed March 2021. Next review March 2022.
Questions about this policy? Write to admission@thepupil.in or call +91 98848 89910.