Language policy
Language Policy
of
Kőrösi Csoma Sándor
Két Tanítási Nyelvű Baptista Gimnázium
Language philosophy
The ability to communicate in more than one language is an essential skill that students in the 21st century must possess, specially so in a tiny country like Hungary with a unique language which is only spoken in and around the country. Our school realized the importance of teaching and learning languages early on, several decades ago, and started the first bilingual programme in the country. At the beginning, teachers and students had to work together closely to develop methods, techniques and resources for running a successful bilingual programme. Their experiences later became the bases of all bilingual programmes in Hungarian schools. Today, the various languages offered and the high quality of language teaching in the school are still among the main reasons why students want to study here and parents decide to bring their children to this school. We believe that languages open the world to our students, not only because by speaking two or three languages they can communicate with almost anyone but also because while learning a language they are also exposed to different cultures and traditions, and learn to look at the world (and within it themselves) from different perspectives.
Introduction
Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Két Tanítási Nyelvű Baptista Gimnázium offers the following programmes for its students:
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Hungarian National Curriculum
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fully Hungarian programme
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Bilingual Hungarian-English Programme
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Bilingual Hungarian-German Programme
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Bilingual Hungarian-Russian Programme
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Bilingual Hungarian-Chinese Programme
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Hungarian School for foreign students
Although students follow several different programmes, they all share the facilities of the school. Many teachers also work in more than one of the above programmes. All teachers involved in any of the bilingual programmes who teach their subjects in a language other than Hungarian are also language teachers not only responsible for teaching the content of these subjects but also for teaching the language through their subjects.
The majority of the students are Hungarian, with an increasing number of foreign students (mostly Chinese and Russian). However, increasing numbers of our Hungarian students have returned to Hungary after spending years abroad, and many have a foreign parent.
Since the school is funded by the government, Hungarian Language and Literature or Hungarian as a Foreign Language is a compulsory subject for all students (with the possible exception of IB DP students).
The main working language of the school is Hungarian, except for subjects taught in a foreign language (either in the bilingual programme or language lessons). Students participating in the IB Diploma Programme are expected to communicate in English in the classroom.
School language profile
The majority of our students are Hungarian, but there are several other nationalities represented in our student body (Chinese, Russian, Australian, Ukrainian, German). For most foreign students and even some of the Hungarian students of the school Hungarian is only a second or, in most cases, a third language. The school recognizes that students come from various nationalities with different cultural backgrounds. All foreign students are therefore allowed to use their mother tongues among themselves (usually outside of class), and when possible, participate in classes taught in their mother tongues (English, German, Russian, Spanish or Chinese) to help them improve their skills in their mother tongues. Foreign students are also allowed and encouraged to observe the traditions and national holidays of their home countries.
Other than Hungarian, the most widely spoken languages in the school are the target languages of the bilingual programmes: English, German, Russian and Chinese.
The various programmes offered by the school all have one common goal: by the end of grade 12 our students should be able to communicate fluently in at least three languages. For Hungarian students this means that they learn two foreign languages besides the compulsory Hungarian. For foreign students it means that they learn Hungarian and another language besides their mother tongue.
Language in the Bilingual Programmes
In grade kny (preparatory year for the bilingual programme), students study only their target language (18 lessons / week) in addition to Hungarian.
In grades 9 and 10, students study their target language (6 lessons / week) and must choose another foreign language (4 lessons / week) from the languages offered at the school (English, German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese).
In grade 11, students study their target language (4 lessons / week) and their other chosen language (3 lessons / week).
In grade 12, students study their target language (4 lessons / week) and their other chosen language (2 lessons / week).
Language in the Hungarian Programme
In the fully Hungarian Programme:
Students study English (5 lessons/week) and another foreign language of their choice (5 lessons/week) from the languages offered at the school (German, Russian, Spanish, Chinese).
Language in the Diploma Programme
Students are required to choose at least two language courses, one of which is a Language A (the student's native or most fluent language) and at least one Language B. The Language A subjects offered at the school are Hungarian Literature and English Language and Literature. Since for some students neither Hungarian nor English is a native language, the school supports Self Taught Languages. The Language B subjects offered are English, German and Spanish, allowing our students the chance to further develop the languages studied in the years prior to entering the Diploma Programme.
Hungarian
Hungarian is offered as a first language (Language A) as a literature course. Since the majority of the students are Hungarian, this subject provides them with the opportunity to develop their skills in their mother tongue. It is offered at both the standard and higher level.
English
English is offered as a first language (Language A) as a language and literature course. English B is also offered, mainly for non-native English speakers in the school. It is offered at both the standard and higher level.
German and Spanish
Consistent with the subject offerings in previous years, students can choose German B or Spanish B in the Diploma Programme, both at the standard or higher level.
Other languages
Students can choose to study their native language as a School Supported Language. This course is only offered at the standard level. The school provides assistance with the literary skills (in English or Hungarian), but the student is responsible for developing the language.
Language requirements
Language Support
There are three key areas of additional language support in the school.
Students entering the school with no or very little Hungarian in grades kny to 10 are only accepted if they enter the Hungarian School for foreign students, where they can study Hungarian as a foreign language with teachers who are expert in this field. Students in the Hungarian School study in very small groups (1-5 students) and receive 600 Hungarian language lessons in a school year.
Students entering the bilingual programme are (by law) not required to be at any level of their target language. The school therefore offers additional support to students who have difficulties with reaching the level required by the school at the end of the year. These additional lessons are available to all students and usually take place after the regular classes in the school.
Students entering the Diploma Programme will be required to undergo an admission procedure, during which their level of English will be assessed to determine whether they are able to understand all of their subjects in English. To help students reach the required level of English, the school organizes a pre-IB afternoon course for students in grade 10. This course is tailored specifically to the needs of a future Diploma Programme student.
Students already in the Diploma Programme will also have continuous support if needed through after school additional lessons.
Review
This language policy is reviewed annually by the end of August by a committee comprising the following members:
Headmaster
Deputy Heads
Language teachers
Parent Council members
Student Council members
