At The Hamilton International School, students bring different languages, cultures and experiences into their learning every day. Recognising those different starting points and creating opportunities for students to develop as multilingual learners can help young people communicate, connect and participate confidently in the world around them. The Hamilton International School at the ISP Leadership in Multilingualism Conference Recently, Dalia Aljaibat, Whole School Multilingualism Lead, and Matt Bennett, Head of Secondary, represented The Hamilton International School at the ISP Leadership in Multilingualism Conference in Dubai, joining colleagues from ISP to explore how multilingualism can translate into meaningful experiences for students. The two day conference brought together multilingualism leads and senior leaders from ISP schools across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, alongside regional, divisional, global and Group colleagues. Participants explored multilingualism through the lens of their own school communities, while learning from the experiences and expertise of colleagues working in different contexts. Reflections from the conference Dalia Aljaibat, Whole School Multilingualism Lead “One of the most valuable takeaways from the conference was the shift from focusing on what schools provide for multilingual learners to examining the difference it makes in their learning. The discussions encouraged us to challenge our assumptions, look more closely at the evidence behind our decisions and consider how we can make our approaches more intentional and consistent across the school. Equally valuable was learning from colleagues across ISP, whose different experiences brought fresh perspectives to familiar challenges. I look forward to building on these insights at Hamilton, with a stronger focus on the impact our practice has on students’ learning and progress.” Understanding multilingual learners Students across ISP schools have different experiences of language. Some already use several languages in their everyday lives, while others may be developing an additional language for the first time. ISP’s wider ambition is to give every student opportunities to develop and benefit as a multilingual learner. During the conference, participants considered how the languages and knowledge students already have can support new learning, how Learning Design can create opportunities for language development and how evidence can help schools better understand student progress. They also used ISP’s Multilingualism Roadmap to reflect on practice and consider priorities within their own school contexts. Sharing learning across the region Gemma Donovan, Regional Head of Multilingualism for ISP Middle East, said: “Every school taking part serves its own unique community, so the next step will look different in each context. What connects us is the ambition to understand our learners well, recognise the language experiences they bring with them and create meaningful opportunities for every student to continue developing as a multilingual learner.” Learning from different school communities The conference brought together colleagues from schools with different curricula, communities and student language profiles. This gave Dalia Aljaibat and Matt Bennett the opportunity to hear different perspectives, share experiences from The Hamilton International School and consider how ideas discussed at the conference relate to their own students. Hamilton, an American school in Doha, follows an international curriculum built on American standards, with English as the primary language of learning. Rather than applying the same approach in every school, the focus was on developing a shared understanding of multilingualism while recognising that strong practice needs to respond to each school’s particular context. Rory Galvin, Regional Learning Director for ISP Middle East, said: “Language is fundamental to learning. When we understand the language experiences students bring with them, we can think more carefully about how we design learning, build on what they already know and support them to make progress. The important next step is turning that understanding into what happens in classrooms every day.” Belonging through multilingualism Matt Bennett, Head of Secondary “Students learn best when they feel a strong sense of belonging within their school community. ISP’s commitment to multilingualism plays an important role in creating this environment, ensuring students feel valued, included and connected. Representing Hamilton at the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the work we have undertaken to strengthen this important ISP pillar. It was encouraging to see how Hamilton is leading the way in the region, while also recognising the opportunities to continue developing and enhancing our approach moving forward.” Creating opportunities for students For ISP Middle East, developing multilingualism is ultimately about what students experience in their schools and classrooms. Kam Bhamra, Regional Managing Director for ISP Middle East, said: “Our students are growing up in communities where different languages, cultures and perspectives are part of everyday life. We want them to see that as an opportunity that enriches their sense of culture, belonging and identity. Developing as a multilingual learner can help young people communicate with more people, understand different perspectives and prepare for opportunities beyond school. Our responsibility is to create environments where students’ languages and cultures are valued, they feel a genuine sense of belonging, and multilingualism becomes part of who they are and who they can become.” Looking ahead for multilingual learning at The Hamilton International School For The Hamilton International School, taking part in the conference provided an opportunity to contribute to that wider regional conversation while bringing fresh thinking back into the school community. A community of more than 90 nationalities At The Hamilton International School in Doha, Qatar, our community represents more than 90 nationalities. Multilingualism helps us celebrate the languages and cultural experiences students bring to school while strengthening belonging and meaningful learning across Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary. As colleagues across ISP Middle East take their learning back into their individual school contexts, the connections created through the conference will continue to provide opportunities to share expertise and learn from one another. At The Hamilton International School, the learning and perspectives brought back by Dalia Aljaibat and Matt Bennett will contribute to that continuing journey, with the shared ambition of creating meaningful opportunities for students to develop and thrive as multilingual learners.
