Kindergarten - Grade 5
The Elementary Program operates in WAB's international award winning
Elementary Campus. The Elementary Curriculum follows the International
Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) and is taught by a combination
of classroom teachers and specialist teachers. English, Mathematics,
Social Studies and Science subjects are taught by classroom teachers,
while Specialist subjects include Music, Art, Physical Education,
Library, Information Technology and Chinese, French, Dutch and English
for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and English Language Enrichment
(ELE).
General Chinese Language is offered to all children in Kindergarten
classes. Three streams of Chinese are offered for students in Grades
1-5:
• Practical Chinese which emphasizes conversational language;
• Academic Chinese which provides a comprehensive and challenging
program including reading and writing;
• Chinese for Native Speakers.
Students in Grade 4 and 5 may continue to study Chinese or choose
to study French. Dutch can be chosen from Kindergarten, by students
whose first language is Dutch. Non-native English speakers are assessed
by the English Resource Center and offered English for Speakers
of Other Languages (ESOL) and English Language Enrichment (ELE)
programs as appropriate. A number of languages are also offered
as part of our After School Home Languages Program. These include
Danish, German, French, Finnish, Malay, Korean and Spanish.
A warm and open environment in the Elementary School classes encourages
the involvement of parents to share and participate in the formative
years of their child's education. Our teachers provide challenging,
exciting learning activities that extend children's creativity and
problem solving. They make efforts to link the program to the outside
world with the aim of developing a broad perspective in our students.Our
curriculum exposes students to:
• A wide range of concepts and experiences which extend
knowledge and skills;
• Relevant teaching that prepares the students for the opportunities,
experiences and responsibilities they may encounter in a rapidly
changing world.
Regular assemblies and concerts throughout the year give students
opportunities to perform in front of an audience. Field trips enhance
the academic program and help develop an appreciation of the richness
and diversity of our host country, China. From 4 year olds touring
the school grounds to look at insects, to 10 year olds visiting
the Lama Temple or an international television company in downtown
Beijing, WAB takes full advantage of the local area's cultural and
natural resources.
