International School Languages in Singapore: A Parent's Guide
Most international schools in Singapore teach in English and add a second language, often Mandarin, at a level that differs a great deal from school to school. The best way to judge a school is to ask how many minutes of second-language learning your child gets each day, how English support works, and whether your home language is valued. This guide walks you through each of those questions for children aged 1.5 to 12.
TL;DR
English is the main language of instruction in most international schools, with a second language added on top, so the real difference is how much and how well it is taught.
Singapore’s own national system treats English plus an official Mother Tongue (Chinese, Malay or Tamil) as the foundation, and many parents use that as a yardstick.
Ask every school about daily second-language time, English support for new learners, and what happens to your child’s home language.
At Astor, small classes (maximum 20, average 15) let teachers notice how each child is progressing in every language.
Visit, observe a lesson, and compare notes before you commit.
Table of Contents
How languages are taught in Singapore’s national schools
It helps to start with the local benchmark, because many international schools shape their language offer in relation to it. In Singapore’s primary schools, pupils learn English as a first language and Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a second language.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) explains that Mother Tongue Language is a compulsory second language in primary school, and the three official choices are Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Children of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicity generally study their corresponding language, while students of other backgrounds may request an official Mother Tongue through their school, subject to approval.
The habit starts early. MOE’s early learning guidance says children begin learning both English and an official Mother Tongue when they start preschool. Its kindergarten programme, for children aged 4 to 6, develops bilingualism in English and Mother Tongue.
International schools follow their own curricula and are not bound by these requirements in the same way. That freedom is useful, but it also means you need to look closely at what each school actually delivers.
What international schools typically offer
In practice, you will meet a few common patterns. We describe them by type rather than by name, since every school mixes them differently.
Language model | What it looks like | Best suited to |
English instruction with a second language class | Lessons in English, plus a set number of Mandarin (or another language) periods each week | Families who want strong English and steady exposure to a second language |
Bilingual programme | A planned share of the day taught in two languages | Families who want real fluency in both |
Full immersion | Most of the day in the target language, often Mandarin | Children who already hear the language at home or have a strong aptitude |
English as an additional language (EAL) support | Extra help for children still building English | Newcomers arriving from another language environment |
None of these is automatically better. The right model depends on your child’s age, the languages already spoken at home, and how long you expect to stay in Singapore.
Languages in the preschool years (1.5 to 5)
Young children absorb language through play, songs, stories and conversation, not worksheets. When you visit a preschool, look for teachers who talk with children rather than at them, and for a day that moves between indoor and outdoor activity.
Singapore Global Network’s education guide suggests parents ask whether a preschool offers full Mandarin immersion, a bilingual programme, or English instruction with Mandarin included, and how much second-language tuition is given each day. These are the right questions, and we suggest asking them in exactly that order.
If you want a closer look at how to separate a genuinely structured bilingual programme from a marketing label, our article on spotting real bilingual preschools gives you three practical questions. For a wider picture of what young children learn day to day, see our parent’s guide to preschool curriculum.
At our Holland preschool, children learn across two playgrounds, moving between outdoor and classroom learning. You can see how the day is organized on the preschool programme page.
Languages in the primary years (5 to 12)
From around age five, language learning becomes more structured. Reading, writing and speaking all need regular practice, and a second language needs time on the timetable to grow. Three things matter most.
Daily or near-daily exposure. A second language taught once a week rarely goes far. Ask how many sessions your child will have, and how long each lasts.
Teaching quality in the second language. Ask who teaches it, whether they are native or fluent speakers, and how progress is assessed. Our parents’ checklist on Mandarin in international schools covers this in detail.
A curriculum that gives language a purpose. Children learn languages faster when they use them to explore real questions. This is one reason we teach through the International Primary Curriculum, which is inquiry based. You can read more on our IPC page and in our guide to international curriculum in Singapore schools.
It is also worth checking the school day itself. Timetables vary, and afternoon finish times are not what many parents assume, so our note on primary school timetables is a useful companion when you are comparing language time.
Supporting children who are still learning English
Many expat children arrive speaking another language at home. That is a strength, not a problem, but it does mean English support in the first months matters.
In the national system, MOE notes that Primary 1 pupils who need literacy help may join English Learning Support Programme lessons in small groups, for one period each day, with specially trained teachers. The principle is worth borrowing as a test: ask any international school whether support is small group, how often it happens, and who delivers it.
At Astor, English as a Second Language support is available as an additional service, priced at 350 to 1090 SGD per month, and our Student Support service ranges from 450 to 5150 SGD per month. Details are on our fees page. Because our classes are small, teachers can see quickly when a child needs a little more help and respond early.
Protecting the home language
A child who keeps strong skills in the family language usually feels more confident overall. It is worth asking each school what it does for home languages, whether through library books, language classes or clubs.
MOE’s early learning guidance describes bilingualism as a cornerstone of Singapore education, linked with communication, cultural identity, social cohesion and cognitive development. Our article on home language support in Singapore schools explains what to check and which rules apply.
For younger children, a gentle approach works best. Our piece on language enrichment through play shows how songs, stories and games can build language before any formal exams enter the picture.
Our perspective on languages
We believe the best learning happens when every child is truly seen and supported, and nowhere is that more true than in language. A child learning a new language needs to be heard. In a class of 35, a quiet child can go a whole week without speaking much. In our classes, with a maximum of 20 and an average of 15, teachers hear every child, correct gently, and notice the moment confidence begins to grow. We are a small school and we are proud of it. Being small but mighty means we can adjust to each family: a child new to English, a child already fluent in two languages, a child who simply needs more time. Our multilingual support, enrichment classes and flexible scheduling are designed around that reality. Our work has been recognized with awards for Best Small School and Best Affordable International School in Singapore, and we see these as a reflection of the personal attention families tell us they value most. Elena
How to judge a school’s language approach
Bring this short list on your visit. It works for a preschool or a primary school.
Ask for the timetable. How many minutes of each language per day and per week?
Ask who teaches. Are second-language teachers qualified and fluent?
Ask about newcomers. What happens in the first term for a child who speaks little English?
Ask about continuity. If you move countries or schools, will the language work carry over?
Watch a lesson. Are children speaking, or only listening?
For broader guidance on the full decision, see how to select an international school in Singapore, our overview of types of international schools and our advice on navigating school choices for expat kids.
Languages and fees at Astor
Our published fees on the fees page include two main options: Option A, Flexi Fees, at 17580 SGD per year, and Option B, Fixed Fees, at 23650 SGD per year. There is a one-off admission fee of 1950 SGD and a material fee of 180 SGD per year. Language classes and some support services are listed there as well.
If you would like to see classes in action, our team is happy to show you around the campus and talk through the right fit for your child’s languages and age.
To plan a visit or ask about places, start from the Astor International School homepage. Our summer camps, at 108 SGD per day or 488 SGD per week, are also a gentle way for a child to try our classroom before enrolling; see the summer camps page.
FAQ
What language do international schools in Singapore teach in?
Most teach in English and add one or more other languages as subjects. Some offer bilingual or immersion programmes. Ask each school for its weekly timetable so you can compare real language time.
Can my child study Mandarin, Malay or Tamil at an international school?
Many international schools offer Mandarin, and some offer other languages. Within the national system, Chinese, Malay and Tamil are the three official Mother Tongue languages. Availability at an international school depends on the school, so confirm it directly.
My child is still learning English. Will that be a problem?
Not necessarily. Look for small-group English support delivered by trained teachers, and ask how often it takes place. At Astor, ESL support is available and our small classes help teachers respond quickly.
When should my child start a second language?
Language learning begins in preschool in Singapore: children start with English and a Mother Tongue when they enter preschool. Starting early through play is a gentle, effective way to build comfort with sounds and words.
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