Laurie Kraaijeveld

Head of Languages at UWCSEA in Singapore

Workshop Information:

The session will be informative, interactive, and collaborative. 

Leaders will learn about practices at United World College of South East Asia, reflect through a guided multilingualism audit, and exchange ideas with their peers.

While English is often the common language of instruction in IB schools, many students live, think, and dream in other languages. How leaders choose to value these first languages sends a powerful message about identity, equity, and belonging. 

This session will explore how leadership, not only teaching, shapes the multilingual culture of an IB school. Through sharing practices at United World College of South East Asia (Singapore), research highlights, and interactive reflection, participants will examine how policies, community engagement, and resource allocation empower multilingual learners. 

Participants will conduct a guided “multilingual audit” of their own context, identify barriers, and share strategies for sustainable change.

This session is about vision and leadership which ensures that every student engages with their first language as part of their school curriculum. It addresses ways to affirm students’ own cultures and languages while strengthening their cognitive abilities and supporting their mental health.

Participants will take away practical, actionable insights promoting the inclusion and empowerment of multilingual students. They will consider strategies that highlight international mindedness and equity within their own school community. 

Session Outcomes:

1. Conduct a self-assessment highlighting strengths and areas for improvement in their current school practices.

2. Commit to at least two concrete leadership actions, one short and one long term, to strengthen multilingualism in their school.

Biography:

Laurie Kraaijeveld has been working in international schools for the past 20 years and is currently Head of Languages at United World College of South East Asia in Singapore. Having studied at six universities in four languages across four countries, she brings a rich international perspective to her work in education. Growing up, she was intrigued by her parents’ different origins, which sparked her lifelong mission to empower young people to grow as confident multilinguals. Laurie has delivered the ESL in the Mainstream programme and has extensive experience teaching French A and supporting School-Supported Language A students in the IBDP. She is also an active member of the IB Educator Network (IBEN) in Asia Pacific. Laurie is deeply committed to fostering environments where students not only learn languages but also embrace the diverse identities and perspectives that come with them.