Languages Other Than English (LOTE)

There are two types of Languages Other Than English (LOTE) courses:

1. LOTE Foreign language

2. LOTE first & second language (native, near native speakers)

The teaching of LOTE is a core element of the curriculum. The ideas of the improvement of communication skills and the

propagation of greater understanding of other cultures are central to the aims of the UWC movement.

Language teaching has moved on from the traditional ideas of teaching grammar in isolation, now focusing on realistic

language functions such as asking for tickets at a station or ordering a drink in a café. The grammatical notions of the

language are presented in a meaningful context. The four skills of language (listening, speaking, reading and writing) are

taught in an integrated way, so that grammatical concepts act as a reinforcement of vocabulary learnt. Cultural aspects

are also taught so that students gain more understanding of the people who live where the languages are spoken.

Students’ competency in foreign languages is assessed through a variety of formative and summative assessments,

including classroom observations, performance tasks, self-evaluations and peer assessments. At the end of each unit,

students are assessed on the four language competencies: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The format for these

assessments can be audio, audio-visual or written.

Some topic areas that are covered in Middle School include:

● Beginners courses: introductions, family life, school, daily routine, descriptions, hobbies and clothes

● Foreign language courses: education, getting around, leisure, celebrations, health and communications using technology.

A more detailed list of the topics, vocabulary and grammatical notions (and Chinese characters) covered in each grade is

available from the Head of Department and the website.

Foreign languages available in Grade 6

● beginners and foreign language Chinese

● beginners and foreign language French

● foreign language Spanish

Foreign languages available in Grade 7

● foreign language Chinese

● foreign language French

● beginners and foreign language Spanish

Foreign languages available in Grade 8

● foreign language Chinese 

● foreign language Spanish

● beginners and foreign language French

For the foreign language continuation courses, students are expected to have basic knowledge of the language; this

usually means at least one year’s previous study of the language is required. A placement test may be required to

determine the appropriate class.

LOTE first languages courses are for those whose proficiency in the language is of native speaker level.

LOTE second languages courses are for those whose proficiency in the language is of near native speaker level.

First Language:

The aim is to develop sensitivity and effectiveness of speaking and listening through various themes, tasks and activities using literary and non-literary texts. Students develop their reading and writing skills, and their awareness in analytical, critical and original thinking using a variety of texts. The appreciation of culture is an important part of the courses. Students study literature texts through various media. A placement test may be required to determine the appropriate class.

Second Language: 

The Second Language course is a course in-between foreign language and first language which suits students with a language heritage but who might not necessarily be able to speak it as the main language at home, or students who have extensive experience of the language but have not developed their linguistic awareness in analytical, critical and original thinking using a variety of texts.  This pathway offers more challenge and depth than studying a foreign language , and students need to have a high level of language ability in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) especially in speaking and listening, as the lesson will be conducted fully in the language of study. Students must pass a placement test before being enrolled in this class.

First & Second language available in Grade 6

• First and second language Chinese 

• First and second language Japanese 

First & Second language available in Grade 7

• First and second language Chinese 

• First and second language Japanese 

• First and second language German (see below)

• Dutch (see below)

First languages available in Grade 8

• First and second language Chinese 

• First and second language Japanese 

• First and second language German (see below)

• Dutch (see below)

For all grades there are further options in our Home Language Programme (see below).

The HLP is for students who want to maintain and consolidate a language spoken at home but they do not study this language as part of the academic curriculum during the school day. Lessons take place once or twice a week, after school. Parents contribute  $47.04 per hour per child to the school.  (9% GST and Admin fees included). Classes are taught in very small groups of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 students. The focus is on building students’ skills in reading and writing. The languages on offer may vary year to year subject to demand. In 2023/24 we ran classes for Bahasa Indonesia, Bengali, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Russian, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, and Swedish. For further information, please visit our HLP Dover website  or contact the Home Languages Department - doverhomelanguages@uwcsea.edu.sg

In addition to the other languages, Dutch lessons are available from Grade 7–12 for native speakers of Dutch. For students in Grade 7 and 8, these lessons take place after school, twice a week from 3–4.30pm.

The policy of Dutch language provision is as follows:

• UWCSEA, together with the Dutch-speaking community in Singapore, operates a joint scheme to employ a fully-qualified teacher of Dutch. This teacher provides Dutch tuition both within and outside the normal timetable for native speakers of Dutch. The teacher is a full-time employee of the College, but the Dutch-speaking community contributes to the total cost of employing the teacher.

• The College is thus not obliged to provide Dutch tuition but does so to accommodate the wishes of the Dutch and Flemish community. For this reason, there is an extra charge levied by the Dutch community for any Dutch tuition. The cost depends on the number of students taking Dutch lessons. More information is available from Hans Schellekens (hsc@uwcsea.edu.sg) or from our website: uwcsea.edu.sg/learning/academics/language-learning/dutch

In Grades 7 and 8, German is taught as a first and second language for native, near native speakers according to the Swiss curriculum.  For students in Grade 7, these lessons take place after school, twice a week from 3–4.30pm. This is a provision for Swiss students joining us in Grade 7 from the Swiss School. Other German native or near native speakers may join this class, but will have to sit a test that assesses if their level of German is sufficient to keep up with the specific curriculum requirements. More information is available from Head of Multilingualism, Pilar Jimenez (mpj@uwcsea.edu.sg).