NEWSLETTER 28 22 March 2013 - Hollandse School Singapore

areas in Dutch and in English students will not only extend their vocabularies outside oftheir language classes, but also practice their communication skills. Research has shownthat CLIL is not only successful in the acquisition of foreign languages, but also leads tohigher achievement in the mother tongue and a better cognitive development as a formof explicit language support. Besides this it will allow for the language training to be morefunctional, which benefits the motivation for acquiring the foreign tongue positively.Wherever CLIL is used, the educational partners encounter learning profits for the foreignlanguage, without inflicting any harm to the subject knowledge. Strong engagement withthe subject enhances the student motivation, because CLIL creates more possibilities forthe use of authentic materials, specific vocabulary and intercultural subject matter.Which objectives are achieved by CLIL?• Building intercultural knowledge and understanding• Developing intercultural communication skills• Improving both active and passive language skills in both languages, in Dutch as wellas in English• Studying the subject matter from different (international) perspectives• Having more contact with the foreign language without the implementation of extralanguage classes• Adding an extra dimension to the existing subjects, without having to compete withthem• Diversity within the educational methods used in class• Improved student motivation by extra confirmation of the language skillsWe hope this explanation helps you understand more about the proposed changes in thisspecific area (our English language education) and look forward to discussing this andother topics in more detail with you on one of the information sessions to be set up.As mentioned in the letter from the board attached to last week's newsletter, the advisorycouncil will publish their advice on the proposed alterations in the week starting 15 April,upon which the HSL school board will make their final decision about the plan and itscontent.Should you have any queries about any of the above, please email them topo-herziening-hsl@hollandseschool.org or via adviesraad@hollandseschool.org.With kind regards,Nelleke Deelen-GeuzeRebecca de GrootStan van Laarhoven3