French-English Bilingual programme

Nurturing global communicators: French-English Bilingual Programme at CIS

Give your child a competitive edge with Singapore's premier French–English bilingual pathway from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6.

French-English Bilingual

Why choose the CIS  French–English Bilingual programme?

Canadian International School (CIS) offers a unique French–English Bilingual (FEB) programme for students aged 4 to 11 (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6). We are the only school in Singapore to offer a bilingual French pathway fully aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework.

Our programme is designed for families who want their children to become truly bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. Research shows that learning in a bilingual environment helps students become:

  • Sophisticated Thinkers: Enhanced problem-solving and cognitive flexibility.
  • Effective Communicators: Increased listening skills and memory retention.
  • Linguistic Experts: A deeper understanding of their first language through comparative learning.

Our core beliefs and dual-language approach

We prioritise high-level literacy in both languages, utilising evidence-based frameworks to ensure every student  succeeds.

  1. Dual-Language Value: We treat both English and French with equal importance.
  2. Celebrating the Francophonie: We promote French cultures from across the globe, not just France.
  3. Research-Based Practice: We use proven methods to build bicultural identities.
  4. Conceptual Thinking: Students develop deep academic understanding in both languages.
  5. Differentiated Support: We tailor instruction to meet each child’s unique linguistic needs.

Academic excellence across two languages

Students in the FEB programme follow the same rigorous Programme of Inquiry as the English programme, ensuring they meet the same high academic standards.

Mathematics (Ontario Standards)

Using platforms like MathUp and Matific (available in both languages), students learn 50% of the curriculum in each language, ensuring they master mathematical vocabulary in both English and French.

English Literacy (Common Core)

Focusing on narrative, informational, and opinion writing, our English curriculum is integrated into the units of inquiry to build strong reading and writing foundations.

French Literacy (British Columbia Standards)

Students are taught French grammar, conjugation, and oral expression. They are assessed on three key areas:

  • Reading & Comprehension
  • Writing Genres & Structure
  • Speaking & Listening

Language Acquisition (LAQ)

In addition to academic French, students receive functional language instruction focused on daily interactions. This ensures they can navigate real-world French environments with confidence.

Integration and portability

While students spend half their time in French, they remain fully integrated into the wider school community. They share recess, excursions, and the Grade 6 PYP Exhibition with the entire grade level, building friendships across all programmes.

Will my child be able to transfer back to a local system?

While we do not follow the national French syllabus, our curriculum meets high international benchmarks. The IB PYP is the global "gold standard" for education, ensuring that the skills your child acquires at CIS are highly portable and recognised by schools worldwide.

Admission & Entry Requirements

  • Junior Kindergarten to Grade 1: Entry is based on language readiness.
  • Grade 2 to Grade 6: Students undergo a placement assessment to ensure they can comfortably thrive in a bilingual environment.
  • Note: Classes are subject to demand and sufficient enrolment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the French-English Bilingual Programme at CIS?

The French-English Bilingual (FEB) Programme at Canadian International School (CIS) is a dual-language programme for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6. Students learn in both French and English while following the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework.

2. What age groups can join the French-English Bilingual Programme?

The programme is available for students aged approximately 4 to 11 years, from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6.

3. How much time do students spend learning French and English?

Students spend approximately 50% of their learning time in French and 50% in English. Students spend one full week immersed in French with a native French speaker, followed by one full week in English with a native English speaker.

Both teachers collaborate closely to ensure seamless integration of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) units of inquiry and core subjects across both languages.

This alternating block model gives students sustained periods of language immersion to build deep fluency, biliteracy, and academic competence in both languages across the school year.

4. What curriculum does the bilingual programme follow?

Students follow the same rigorous IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) as students in the English programme. The bilingual programme also incorporates relevant standards, including Ontario Mathematics, Common Core English Literacy, and British Columbia French Literacy standards.

5. What subjects are taught in French?

Students learn academic content across the curriculum in both languages. Mathematics is taught 50% in French and 50% in English, while French literacy includes reading, writing, grammar, speaking and listening. Students also receive functional French language instruction through Language Acquisition (LAQ).

6. Does my child need to already speak French to join the programme?

Entry requirements depend on the student's grade level. For Junior Kindergarten to Grade 1, admission is based on language readiness. Students entering Grade 2 to Grade 6 complete a placement assessment to determine whether they have the language skills needed to succeed in a bilingual learning environment.

7. Will my child become fluent in both French and English?

The programme is designed to develop students into bilingual and biliterate communicators, with strong academic and functional language skills in both languages. Students receive differentiated support based on their individual linguistic needs.

8. Is the French-English Bilingual Programme aligned with the IB PYP?

Yes. CIS is the only school in Singapore offering a French bilingual pathway fully aligned with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Students participate in the same rigorous Programme of Inquiry and develop conceptual understanding across both languages.

9. Will students in the bilingual programme be integrated with the wider CIS community?

Yes. Although students spend half of their learning time in French, they remain fully integrated with their grade-level community. They participate in recess, excursions and major grade-level experiences, including the Grade 6 PYP Exhibition, alongside students from other programmes.

10. Can my child transfer to another school or education system after the programme?

Yes. While the FEB Programme does not follow the national French curriculum, it is based on internationally recognised educational frameworks and the IB PYP. The skills and knowledge developed through the programme are designed to be portable and transferable to schools and education systems internationally.

 

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