How DHSZ supports every student
For many families, one of the most common questions when considering an international programme is: If my child is not yet confident in English, will they be able to cope in an English learning environment?
At Dulwich International High School Programme Suzhou, our answer to this question comes from how we understand international education itself: it is not simply about switching languages, but about developing new ways of learning and thinking.
International by Design: The People and Environment Behind a Dulwich Education
At Dulwich, “Truly International” is not only reflected in our curriculum, but in the learning environment and teaching structure students experience every day.
In this environment, English is no longer just a subject in the classroom; it becomes a natural and integral part of students' daily learning experience.
Support from Different Starting Points
Each year, we welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and English proficiency levels. Students are not expected to understand everything from the very beginning. Instead, we provide structured support to help them gradually build both understanding and confidence.
Based on individual needs, students receive 5, 7, 9, or 11 hours of English support per week, ensuring they can access the wider curriculum and progressively engage with more advanced academic content.
Importantly, language support extends beyond English lessons. Teachers of subjects such as Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry also play an active role in supporting students' language development, helping them build understanding while learning subject knowledge.
Accessing Learning in the Classroom
To ensure students can actively participate in lessons, our teaching approach includes carefully designed support strategies:
- Pre-teaching key vocabulary before new topics
- Clear visual support through presentations and learning materials
- Scaffolded tasks that break learning into manageable steps
- Differentiated materials to support students at different stages
These approaches do not lower expectations. Instead, they provide every student with a pathway into high-quality learning.
Using English in Real Contexts
At Dulwich, English is not only learned for exams, but also as a tool for communication and thinking.
Through the extended curriculum and a wide range of school activities, students regularly use English in authentic contexts, including:
- Dulwich Talks and Soapbox public speaking
- Debate and discussion through Model United Nations (MUN)
- Performance and creativity in the Shakespeare Festival
- Engagement with visiting speakers, such as poet Mark Grist
These experiences help students move from learning English to using English, building confidence in expressing ideas and communicating effectively in an international environment.
Developing language proficiency is a process.
However, in a supportive environment where students are understood, guided, and encouraged to express themselves, they begin to realise that they are not only able to cope, but they are also able to grow, gain confidence, and find their own voice.
Experience DHSZ Firsthand
If you are considering whether your child can thrive in Dulwich’s learning environment, we warmly invite you to join us on the 18th of April, step into our classrooms, experience real lessons, and speak with our students, and see for yourself how this growth takes place.