Pursuant to Article 34 of the Statute of the International School, at the meeting held on the 09 July 2021, the Board of International School adopted the following:
Language Policy
Basic Provisions
Article 1
Pursuant to the Statute of the International School, the official language in use in the International School is English Language.
Official Documentation
Article 2
International School is located in Serbia and, although modern when it comes to teaching methodologies, use of technology and innovative practice, it nurtures traditional cultural values. Therefore, all the official documents and resources are bilingual – written and presented in both Serbian and English Language. These documents and resources include, but are not limited to:
- School’s official website page;
- Reports, grade transcripts, statements and official letters;
- Policies and regulations;
- Parent-School Agreement.
The School nurtures international mindedness and appreciation for the cultural diversity. Since we believe that all languages have equal cultural value, for students and legal guardians whose native language is not English or Serbian Language, the School shall provide additional support regarding translation of the documents.
Language of instruction
Article 3
International School offers international curricula in compliance with the international examination organisations. The language of instruction and assessment is English Language.
Due to the fact that many students’ native language isn’t English Language, all teachers are language teachers.
For students who have a learning barrier connected to the language of instruction, the International School will provide additional support which may include, but is not limited to:
- Remedial English Language lessons;
- Additional English Language lessons;
- Online English Language course.
Languages in the International School
Article 4
Students enrolled in the Diploma Programme are obliged to choose between Serbian Language and Literature and English Language and Literature.
Serbian Language is the language of the host-country, which is available to both Serbian Language speakers and those who want to improve their Serbian Language skills. These students are obliged to choose English Language B from the Language Acquisition group, while French Language, Spanish Language and German Language might be chosen as the second language within the group. This way, the International School allows non-native speakers of Serbian Language to adapt to the host-country.
For students who have a learning barrier connected to the language of the host-country, the International School will provide additional support which may include, but is not limited to:
- Remedial Serbian Language lessons;
- Additional Serbian Language lessons;
Foreign language lessons from the group Language Acquisition are conducted in compliance with the foreign language subjects’ syllabi, which means that:
- Subject French as a foreign language is conducted in French language, with the help of English language as the language of instruction;
- Subject German as a foreign language is conducted in German language, with the help of English language as the language of instruction;
- Subject Spanish as a foreign language is conducted in Spanish language, with the help of English language as the language of instruction.
All teaching materials, services and assessment is presented and conducted in English Language.
The following table shows the organisation of language lessons in the Diploma Programme:
Language A | Language level offered |
---|---|
Serbian Language and Literature | Upper-Secondary Level *** students must choose English B in the Language B group |
English Language and Literature | Upper-Secondary Level *** students must choose Spanish, German or French Language in the Language B group |
Language B | Language level offered |
English Language B | Secondary Level |
Spanish Language B | Secondary Level |
German Language B | Secondary Level |
French Language B | Secondary Level |
Language Policy Committee
Article 5
The Language Policy Committee is responsible for making sure that the Language Policy is implemented and understood by the school community.
The Language Policy Committee comprises of the Head of Social Sciences and Humanities Department, Head of STEAM Department and Programme Coordinator.
The Language Policy Committee is obliged to meet and discuss the Language Policy at least twice a year – at the half term and the end of the school year, when they form a Language Report and submit it to the school administration.
The Language Report is an integral part of the School’s Mid-Year Report and End-Year Report.
Final Provisions
Article 6
The Language Policy is developed by the Language Policy Committee:
- Ljubica Krstić – Head of Social Sciences and Humanities Department;
- Ana Vlašić – Head of STEAM Department
- Zorana Živanović – Programme Coordinator.
The Language Policy will come into force on the eighth day following their posting on the School’s notice board.
The Language Policy Committee, the School Principal and the Board will collaboratively review this Policy in August 2022, on which they will report to parents and students through an official email in September of the same year.
President of the Board
_____________________________
Nikola Subotić