Balancing Cultural Roots with a Global Mindset: A Bilingual Approach at HELP International School

In a rapidly globalised world, bilingual education has become a priority for many parents in Malaysia. They understand that mastering multiple languages broadens their children’s horizons and enhances their future competitiveness. At HELP International School, we are dedicated to meeting this demand, providing high-quality bilingual education from preschool and primary onwards. Here, cultural roots are celebrated alongside international mindedness.

2 homeroom teachers are teaching in the bilingual class

Bilingual Education: Connecting Children to Their Future and Culture

At HELP International School, bilingual education goes beyond teaching a language; it’s about connecting students to their heritage while preparing them for the world stage. For many Malaysian Chinese families, learning Mandarin is a way to preserve cultural identity and heritage. HELP’s curriculum integrates English and Mandarin across core subjects, such as Singapore Mathematics and the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) at the preschool level, creating a rich, dual-language environment where students apply language in real-world contexts.

June Seow found this balance especially meaningful when deciding on a school for her son. In 2021, she was torn between sending him to a local Chinese vernacular school, where Mandarin would be heavily emphasised, or to an international school, where English would be the primary focus. But when she discovered HELP International School’s bilingual programme, she realised it was the perfect solution. “I wanted my son to develop strong English skills while maintaining his cultural roots and fluency in Mandarin,” June explained. Since starting in Year 1, her son has thrived, developing fluency in both languages and feeling deeply connected to his heritage. Now in Year 4, he can confidently engage in Mandarin while also learning from a diverse community of international teachers and peers. Recently, during a summer camp in school, he even helped translate for non-English-speaking participants from overseas, showcasing the cultural and practical fluency nurtured by HELP’s bilingual programme.

Kyven took part in a summer program where he studied and interacted with classmates from South Korea, China, and Japan.

Personalised Learning: The Advantage of Small Class Sizes

HELP International School is known for its small class sizes, which allow teachers to focus on each student’s unique needs and provide personalised guidance. Unlike traditional schools, which often face large classes and a more passive learning style, HELP’s flexible teaching methods encourage students to actively participate and engage in discussions, building their confidence in language skills and critical thinking.

Kelly Lim experienced this difference firsthand after transferring her daughter from a local Chinese school in 2023. Having raised her daughter in an English-speaking household, Kelly was concerned about how her child would cope with Mandarin in a traditional school setting. “In her previous school, classes had up to 40-50 students, making it hard for her to receive individual attention,” Kelly shared. The strict and crowded environment left her daughter feeling overwhelmed by the language. 

At HELP, however, the smaller class sizes and the presence of two dedicated teachers—one a native English speaker and the other a native Mandarin speaker—made all the difference in her daughter’s learning experience. The immersive bilingual programme allowed her daughter to transition smoothly, benefiting from the targeted support in both languages. “Now, she feels comfortable learning Mandarin in an engaging way, and her progress has been remarkable,” Kelly noted. “Her Mandarin has improved so much, and she’s excited to come to school every day,” she added, grateful for the nurturing environment that has given her daughter the confidence to embrace her mother tongue.

Cultivating a Global Mindset: A Multicultural Learning Environment

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to understand and communicate across cultures is invaluable. At HELP International School, a multicultural student body—comprising both local and international students—helps students learn the importance of cross-cultural communication and adaptability. This diverse environment is especially significant for non-Chinese families like Aziela Arif’s.

Aziela enrolled her daughter in HELP’s bilingual programme from preschool with some initial apprehension. She wondered if her daughter would find Mandarin too challenging and if she would feel out of place in a bilingual setting. However, the school’s multicultural environment, coupled with the dedication of HELP’s teachers, soon reassured her. “The diverse community here has given my daughter a chance to learn Mandarin naturally, with plenty of support from her teachers and her friends from various cultural backgrounds,” Aziela explained.

Aziela's daughter, Aish, wrote the Chinese character for “sheep” (羊).

This inclusive atmosphere not only eased her daughter’s learning journey but also made the experience enjoyable. “The teachers have been incredibly encouraging, and seeing students from different cultures learning Mandarin together has inspired my daughter to embrace it,” Aziela said. Today, her daughter can converse fluently with Mandarin-speaking friends and feels comfortable engaging with people from different backgrounds. “Learning an additional language in this multicultural setting is crucial for thriving in Malaysia and beyond. HELP’s approach prepares her for both local and global contexts,” Aziela added, grateful for the way her daughter has blossomed in a community that values inclusivity and mutual respect.

The Results Speak: A Proven Bilingual Curriculum

HELP International School’s bilingual programme is more than just a theory. As Mr. Benjamin Allen, Assistant Principal (Primary), explained, “We’ve structured a curriculum that delivers tangible results and nurtures confident language learners.” The results from the 2023/2024 academic year speak for themselves. Year 1 students taking the international Youth Chinese Test (YCT) achieved an impressive average score of 81%, while Year 2 students averaged 86% at Level 2. By Year 3, proficiency soared, with students scoring an average of 91% at Level 3. This data highlights the impact of HELP’s bilingual programme and the dedication of its teachers in supporting each student’s language journey.

Two teachers from the bilingual program are conducting a class.

Paving the Way for Your Child’s Future

HELP International School remains committed to providing bilingual education that balances cultural heritage with a global perspective. In response to the rising demand for bilingual programmes, HELP is dedicated to fostering students who are both culturally grounded and globally minded.

Join us in shaping the next generation of confident, culturally aware, and globally adept students. For more information, visit www.his.edu.my or call 03-7809 7000.