Transformative Multilingual Learning Programming in International Schools with Dr. Ying Chu

East Asia Regional Council of Schools & International School of Beijing

Dual language (DL) is a form of bilingual education in which students are taught literacy and content in two languages (Center for Applied Linguistics, 2021). DL programs have proliferated rapidly in North America and worldwide due to demographic shifts and the fast pace of globalization. Extensive research has demonstrated that DL programs provide academic and cognitive benefits for all students, regardless of their native language or socioeconomic status (Gleason, 2014; Jong, 2016; Lee & Jeong, 2013; Li et al., 2016). Well-designed and implemented DL programs promote linguistic, cultural, and racial equity for students, schools, and communities (DeMatthews & Izquierdo, 2016).

Unfortunately, there is a critical knowledge gap in DL program implementation, international education, and Chinese-English bilingual education in the international school context. The scarcity of research created immense challenges and might impose a threat to the development of emerging DL/bilingual programs and the sustainability of such programs in international schools. As a result, new programs can only rely on trial and error, facing tremendous risks and challenges to attain the benefits of bilingual education.

Webinar Description

This webinar series was created by Dr. Ying Chu (Head of the Dual Language Program at the International School of Beijing). It is based on Dr. Chu’s doctoral research and practice in implementing high-quality DLI/bilingual programs in the international school context. Dr. Chu and a number of guest speakers will share their decades of successful and promising practices gained in DL/bilingual education.

The presenters will walk the participants through the foundations of DL/bilingual education, leadership in DL/bilingual education, and the quality implementation of DL/bilingual programs. DL/bilingual program implementation is a systematic process requiring extensive planning, structuring, and step-by-step procedures. Dr. Ying Chu will present a comprehensive program implementation framework to guide school leaders in planning, implementing and improving a DL/bilingual program at the school sites. In addition, she will share a bilingual program leadership competency framework that will guide international school leaders in identifying, cultivating, or growing to be linguistically and culturally responsive leaders to assume the critical roles of realizing the core goals of dual language education. Moreover, the presenters will share their decades of practitioner experience in planning, implementing, and improving DL/bilingual programs to support school leaders in addressing common misconceptions and avoiding mistakes and pitfalls in implementation.

Target Participants

This workshop is intended for school leaders and educators responsible for designing and implementing DL/bilingual programs. It is also suitable for any school leaders or educators interested in gaining more knowledge and understanding of serving multilingual learners and creating a multilingual and multicultural ecosystem in their school sites, as well as growing in their journey to become linguistically and culturally responsive practitioners.

Session I: Foundational Understanding of DL/Bilingual Education

JANUARY 9, 2025
6:00 PM HKT

Bilingual/Multilingual identities
Program core goals
Research on high-quality DL/bilingual programs
Provide examples of DL program models and outcomes in sample schools with guest speakers

Guest Speaker: Huali Xiong

Session II: Dual Language Program Implementation

JANUARY 16, 2026
6:00 PM HKT

Research on dual language program implementation
The Four Phases of the Implementation Process
Critical steps and strategies for each implementation phase
Guest speakers provide sample school implementation stories

Guest Speakers: Dr. Dustin Collins & Rena Brown

Session III: Leadership Competencies for DL/Bilingual Education

FEBRUARY 13, 2025
6:00 PM HKT

Linguistically and culturally responsive leadership
Leadership competency framework for DL/bilingual education
Knowledge, skills, dispositions, and actions for each competency
Guest speakers share leadership stories and insights

Guest Speaker: Dr. Dustin Collins

Session IV: Common misconceptions, mistakes and pitfalls in implementation

FEBRUARY 20, 2025
6:00 PM HKT

A collection of common misconceptions, mistakes, and pitfalls
Plan for new program and plan for improvement
Reflect, grow, and build a community of practice
Guest speakers share stories and insights on program implementation/improvement

Guest Speakers: Huali Xiong and Kevin Chang

About Dr. Ying Chu

Dr. Ying Chu is the Head of Dual Language Program at the International School of Beijing. A seasoned research practitioner, Dr. Chu specializes in asset-based bilingual program implementation and evaluation, along with expertise in culturally and linguistically responsive practices. With over a decade of instruction, research, and leadership experience from prominent international schools in the region and distinguished institutions in New York City, Dr. Chu is dedicated to exploring and expanding thinking, blending theory with practice, and fostering a culture of transformational change and continuous improvement in international schools.

Guest Speakers

Rena Brown, EAL Director, Stamford American International School, Singapore

Kevin Chang, Director of Chinese Studies and World Languages, Hongkong International School

Dr. Dustin Collins, Elementary School Principal, International School of Beijing

Huali Xiong, Director of Chinese and Bilingual Program, Canadian International School Singapore

Registration

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