Please find below the key information regarding the Native Language Enrichment (NLE) programme.
Admissions
Students must have some communicative competence in the language to join an NLE class. However, this is left to the native language teacher’s discretion. The student does not need to be a citizen of the country where the native language is spoken or to have parents from that country. In some instances, it may be considered appropriate for students adopted from a certain country to participate in NLE classes in order to maintain links of language and culture with the country of their birth.
Groups and Resources
The school will, as appropriate, offer instruction for the purpose of maintaining the student’s native language as set out below:
Native Language Enrichment lessons in Early Childhood will only be open and available to pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students when the student is deemed by the Early Childhood teacher and Administration to be sufficiently mature to benefit from the NLE class.
Native Language Enrichment teachers are not required to hold certified teacher status, however they should have specific experience that prepares them for the role. Any teaching certification (even if not in the target language) and university qualification is highly preferred, especially for instruction of students in grades 6 to 10. ACS Cobham sources Native Language Enrichment teachers through recommendations from the ACS Community.
NLE Instructor Interview and Hiring Process
All NLE teachers will be interviewed and hired with a flexible hours contract. Appropriate security checks will be made and references will be required.
Venues for NLE Instruction
Unless otherwise instructed, NLE teachers and/or the families requesting instruction may contact the Native Language Coordinator for help in securing a venue for NLE instruction.
NLE Teacher Absences
When an NLE teacher is going to be absent from class, he/ she should report to the NLE coordinator with as much notice as possible. They should also advise parents to inform the relevant divisional offices of the revised transport arrangements after school. For Early Childhood and Lower School especially, it is imperative to contact parents and the offices as soon as possible because alternative arrangements will need to be made for these children to get home after school.
Funding Materials
In addition to funding the lessons and providing classroom space, ACS provides a small amount of funding for teaching resources (e.g. textbooks, books, posters, CDs) for each native language. ACS will reimburse the native language teacher or parent representative for any teaching materials purchased up to a maximum of £100 per school year for each native language provided receipts are submitted to the Head of School’s office. These materials may be purchased in the UK or abroad. If purchased abroad, the current exchange rate should be included with receipts.
Additional Funding
Currently, ACS provides a maximum of approximately £100 per school year for each native language. However, this amount will depend on the needs of each group, the number of students involved and other financial demands on ACS at the time. NLE instructors who anticipate that the current rate offered will be insufficient for their needs, are advised to consult with the NLE Coordinator. Any additional funding will need approval by the NLE Coordinator and the Head of School.
Additional Native Language Instruction
Parents of students whose native language is not covered by the NLE programme are welcome to contact the Native Language Coordinator at the school if they would like to arrange private native language instruction. The school will try to help parents by identifying suitable tutors and where possible, by providing a room for instruction. Payment for private additional language instruction is not arranged by the school and is a matter between the instructor and the parents.
Admissions
Students must have some communicative competence in the language to join an NLE class. However, this is left to the native language teacher’s discretion. The student does not need to be a citizen of the country where the native language is spoken or to have parents from that country. In some instances, it may be considered appropriate for students adopted from a certain country to participate in NLE classes in order to maintain links of language and culture with the country of their birth.
Groups and Resources
The school will, as appropriate, offer instruction for the purpose of maintaining the student’s native language as set out below:
- Native language classes for grades Pre-K- 10 are held before and after school for a maximum of 1 hour per week.
- Classes can take place during recess or lunch times at the discretion of the Principals of the relevant division.
Native Language Enrichment lessons in Early Childhood will only be open and available to pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students when the student is deemed by the Early Childhood teacher and Administration to be sufficiently mature to benefit from the NLE class.
- All EC students will be grouped together for one lesson per week. The time allotted for this lesson can be no more than 30-40 minutes maximum.
- Lessons will ideally be play-based, focusing on songs, games and stories in the native language.
- Lessons should take place preferably during lunch or recess times; however, when this is not possible, groups can meet after school.
- Students must be mature enough to handle missing lunch or recess or having an extended lesson after school. They also must have permission for this schedule change from both their classroom teacher and the Early Childhood Principal.
- Students joining an NLE class in Early Childhood must speak the relevant native language at home as their mother tongue. It cannot be their third or fourth language.
- All students wishing to join NLE classes will be judged on a case-by-case basis by the classroom teacher and the Early Childhood Principal. ACS reserves the right to deny or remove students from the NLE class should we believe it is inappropriate for their maturity levels.
Native Language Enrichment teachers are not required to hold certified teacher status, however they should have specific experience that prepares them for the role. Any teaching certification (even if not in the target language) and university qualification is highly preferred, especially for instruction of students in grades 6 to 10. ACS Cobham sources Native Language Enrichment teachers through recommendations from the ACS Community.
NLE Instructor Interview and Hiring Process
All NLE teachers will be interviewed and hired with a flexible hours contract. Appropriate security checks will be made and references will be required.
Venues for NLE Instruction
Unless otherwise instructed, NLE teachers and/or the families requesting instruction may contact the Native Language Coordinator for help in securing a venue for NLE instruction.
NLE Teacher Absences
When an NLE teacher is going to be absent from class, he/ she should report to the NLE coordinator with as much notice as possible. They should also advise parents to inform the relevant divisional offices of the revised transport arrangements after school. For Early Childhood and Lower School especially, it is imperative to contact parents and the offices as soon as possible because alternative arrangements will need to be made for these children to get home after school.
Funding Materials
In addition to funding the lessons and providing classroom space, ACS provides a small amount of funding for teaching resources (e.g. textbooks, books, posters, CDs) for each native language. ACS will reimburse the native language teacher or parent representative for any teaching materials purchased up to a maximum of £100 per school year for each native language provided receipts are submitted to the Head of School’s office. These materials may be purchased in the UK or abroad. If purchased abroad, the current exchange rate should be included with receipts.
Additional Funding
Currently, ACS provides a maximum of approximately £100 per school year for each native language. However, this amount will depend on the needs of each group, the number of students involved and other financial demands on ACS at the time. NLE instructors who anticipate that the current rate offered will be insufficient for their needs, are advised to consult with the NLE Coordinator. Any additional funding will need approval by the NLE Coordinator and the Head of School.
Additional Native Language Instruction
Parents of students whose native language is not covered by the NLE programme are welcome to contact the Native Language Coordinator at the school if they would like to arrange private native language instruction. The school will try to help parents by identifying suitable tutors and where possible, by providing a room for instruction. Payment for private additional language instruction is not arranged by the school and is a matter between the instructor and the parents.