At Garden, we believe that language is a powerful tool for fostering connections, promoting understanding, and creating a more inclusive and peaceful world, in line with the fifteen International Baccalaureate Language Tenets. We are committed to creating a language-rich and inclusive environment that values and supports the diverse linguistic backgrounds of our community. Preserving and developing students’ first languages is essential for maintaining cultural identity and fostering strong family connections, and learning an additional language increases students’ marketable skills in the global economy.
All of our learners undertake language courses in both English and other languages, including the study of a range of genres, texts and other forms of communication. Learners develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and presenting, both independently and with others, and become more internationally minded. Students with a Thai passport will study the Thai language from an early age, in Key Stage 2, Spanish is introduced and in Secondary, we also offer French and Mandarin, allowing students to develop multilingual knowledge and understanding.
By embracing multilingualism and nurturing language proficiency in English, World Languages, and their First Language if different from English, we empower our students to become confident communicators, responsible global citizens, and lifelong learners who can thrive in an ever-changing, linguistically diverse world.