View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
View All
Looking for a bilingual school for your child? Here are the schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong that cover dual-language education programmes.
Bilingual school education has many benefits, and we’re lucky to live in a truly international city where it’s easy for kids to pick up a new language. Beyond local Cantonese and Mandarin schools, there are a variety of schools in Hong Kong that will help your child learn language skills to make them multinational students. Even if you’re looking for a way for your child to learn your native language, there are a variety of bilingual, and even trilingual options for your child.
Read More: How To Raise Multicultural Kids In Hong Kong
The International Montessori School Hong Kong (IMS) – The first fully accredited Bilingual Montessori Education from pre-nursery through elementary
Montessori makes bilingual learning engaging. At IMS, language is learnt through real immersion, integrated throughout every aspect of the child’s experience, focusing on fluency rather than rote learning or homework. An IMS classroom functions a little bit like a bilingual family, featuring one English and one Chinese teacher dedicated to speaking English and Mandarin at all times. The Hands-on Montessori materials makes learning Chinese easy and engaging. The Chinese curriculum at IMS, first developed in Hong Kong, is specifically designed to cater to children across a broad spectrum of abilities, language and culture backgrounds. There are daily small-group Chinese lessons, tailored to individual proficiency levels. IMS children thrive in a bilingual environment where teachers consistently communicate in both languages, fostering natural language acquisition. IMS serves close to 1,000 children aged 1 to 12 years through its network of four campuses.
Languages: English, Mandarin
Sassy Mama Tip: IMS has perfected bilingual Montessori instruction over the years. See for yourself by signing up for a campus tour at any of the four campuses, and experience a Montessori trial.
IMS, various locations across Hong Kong, www.ims.edu.hk
Read More: Your Guide To Montessori Education – Top Montessori Schools In Hong Kong
German Swiss International School – Bilingual school offering German and English education
Part of a network of 135 German Schools Abroad, German Swiss International School (GSIS) is a leading bilingual school in Hong Kong with through-train education from kindergarten to secondary school. It offers two streams with globally recognised diplomas — German International Stream (GIS) with the German International Abitur (DIA) Diploma and the English International Stream (EIS) with the IGCSE / International Baccalaureate (IB). For students looking to be bilingual and bicultural, GIS is open to all nationalities where there’s no German language pre-requisite for certain age groups, plus, students who wish to continue their academic career at a university in Germany receive an education resident visa and a gratuitous tuition is offered by the German government.
Languages: German, English
German Swiss International School (Kindergarten and Lower Primary), 162 Pok Fu Lam Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
German Swiss International School (Upper Primary And Secondary), 11 Guildford Road, The Peak, Hong Kong, 2180 0511, www.gsis.edu.hk
Read More: The Best International Schools In Hong Kong
Chinese International School (CIS)– Bilingual school from kindergarten right through to bilingual primary and secondary school
The Chinese International School is one of Hong Kong’s most desirable bilingual schools or dual language schools for Mandarin and English. CIS offers classes from Reception to Year 13. A dual-language history programme is also offered through years 7 to 9 as well as a two-week China Experience Programme and a one-year academic and residential programme at CIS’ Hangzhou campus in China in Year 10.
Bilingual education in: Mandarin and English
Chinese International School (CIS), 1 Hau Yuen Path, Braemar Hill, Hong Kong, 2510 7288, www.cis.edu.hk
Read More: Where To Learn Chinese In Hong Kong – Mandarin Classes And Cantonese Tutors
Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA) – English and Mandarin bilingual school
At this bilingual school, children in primary will be co-taught by teachers native in both English and Mandarin. Starting from Year 6, classes are mainly taught in English, but as a bilingual and biliterate school, Chinese Language and Literature and Chinese as Additional Language classes are mandatory for all students. Additional French and Spanish classes are also available for students who excel in language.
Bilingual education in: Mandarin and English
Victoria Shanghai Academy, 19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 3402 1000, www.vsa.edu.hk
Read More: Get Back-To-School Ready – School Supplies, Extracurriculars And More
Lee Siu Yam Memorial Primary School – Cantonese and English bilingual school
The core curriculum at Lee Siu Yam bilingual school is similar to other public schools in Hong Kong but offered in two different streams. One in which all subjects are taught in Chinese and the other stream, that is Chinese-English, has core subjects like math and computer studies taught in English while the remaining subjects are taught in Cantonese. The school also offers Mandarin classes from Primary 1 to 6 and instructions for non Chinese-speaking parents on how to make their kids bilingual and trilingual.
Trilingual education in: Cantonese, Mandarin and English
Lee Siu Yam Memorial Primary School, 18, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2791 6681, www.lsy.edu.hk
Read More: Learning Chinese – A Native Mandarin Speaking Mama’s Tips
Korean International School (KIS) – Korean and English bilingual school
Korean International School (KIS) originated back in 1988 to meet the needs of the growing Korean community in Hong Kong. Since then the KIS has grown and now offers a bilingual education – English International stream as well as a bilingual Korean International stream. Within the Korean stream, classes are instructed on a split 50/50 in English and Korean, with specialist classes in Mandarin also available.
Bilingual education in: Korean and English
Korean International School, 55 Lei King Road, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong, 2569 5500, www.kis.edu.hk
Read More: International Mother Language Day – Celebrating Hong Kong’s Diversity
HKTA Yuen Yuen Institute No 3 Secondary School – English, Mandarin and Cantonese trilingual school
AT HKTA, Maths, liberal studies, integrated science and computer science are taught in English, with the exception of Chinese word processing for non-Cantonese students. They will beare placed in a peer-reading scheme with native Chinese students in either Cantonese or Mandarin to benefit Chinese students looking to improve their English.
Trilingual education in: English, Mandarin and Cantonese
HKTA Yuen Yuen Institute No 3 Secondary School, Sheung Tak Estate, 2 Tong Ming Street, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2178 3223, www.hktayy3.edu.hk
Spanish Primary School (SPIS) – Trilingual education in English, Spanish and Mandarin, with immersive language learning
Spanish Primary School (SPIS) is not just a bilingual school, it offers trilingual education in English, Spanish and Mandarin, covering the top three most spoken languages in the world. While following the British National Curriculum, Spanish, English, and Chinese are mandatory for years 1 to 6, embracing what many European cultures do in creating a trilingual environment.
Trilingual education in: Spanish, Mandarin and English
Spanish Primary School, 9-11 Shung Tak Street, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, 3955 1589, www.spis.edu.hk
Read More: British Schools In Hong Kong – International Schools, Preschools And Secondary Schools
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kau Yau School (PLKCKY) – Natural bilingual co-teaching school during the primary school years
PLKCKY is one of the few independent and not-for-profit schools offering a 12-year bilingual education within the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. PLKCKY claims to have 60% Western teachers and 40% Chinese teachers, offering a natural bilingual co-teaching environment during the primary school years (read more about that here). Students also study themes in both languages and have opportunities for field trips and overseas trips as well.
Bilingual education in: Mandarin and English
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kau Yau School, 6 Caldecott Rd, Piper’s Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2148 2052, www.cky.edu.hk
Read More: IB Schools In Hong Kong – The IB Curriculum Explained
French International School of Hong Kong (FIS) – French and English bilingual school in Hong Kong
The French International School (FIS) of Hong Kong caters to the large French expat population in the city as well as local and other expat students. This international school offers two internationally accredited streams in French and English and all students across streams must learn both languages taught by native speaking teachers. Those in the French stream follow the French national curriculum, from kindergarten through to the French Baccalauréat, while students in the international stream follow an English National Curriculum-based programme and complete their IGCSE and then IBDP.
Bilingual education in: French and English
French International School, various campuses across Hong Kong, www.fis.edu.hk
Read More: A French Mama Shares Her Secrets And Tips About French Parenting
Singapore International School – English and Mandarin bilingual school from prep to secondary school
The Singapore International School offers a bilingual education to kids aged 3 to 12 years. In the preparatory and primary age groups all subjects, except for Maths and the language classes, are conducted in both English and Chinese. It also offers immersion travel programmes to both Singapore and Taiwan. SIS is one of the few bilingual schools in Hong Kong that teaches the simplified Chinese script.
Bilingual education in: Mandarin and English
Singapore International School Preparatory Years and Primary Section, 23 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2872 0266
Singapore International School Secondary Section, 2 Police School Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 2919 6966, www.singapore.edu.hk
Read More: The Best October Holiday Camps In Hong Kong For Kids 2024 – Half-Term Break Sorted!
More Bilingual Schools In Hong Kong
- Independent School Foundation (ISF) – Follows the IB curriculum with a focus on bilingual mastery in English and Mandarin. www.academy.isf.edu.hk
- Kingston International School (KIS) – Bilingual teaching starts as early as playgroup and continues toward Primary 6. www.kingston.edu.hk
- Yew Chung International School (YCIS) – Has a Western and Chinese co-principal for each of its campuses that offers bilingual teaching for IGCSCEs and IBDP. www.ycis-hk.com
- Stamford American School Hong Kong – Bilingual school with programmes in Mandarin and English or daily language programmes in Mandarin or Spanish. www.sais.edu.hk
- Shrewsbury International School – A dedicated primary school with a bilingual programme. www.shrewsbury.edu.hk
- Italian International Nursery & Kindergarten (IIKG) – The first Italian school in Hong Kong offering two streams – Italian- English with the addition of Chinese language and Chinese-English with the addition of Italian language and culture. www.iikg.edu.hk
- Kiangsu & Chekiang International Section (KCIS) – Offering both a local school and an international section, this school offers a great bilingual education option for students in Hong Kong. www.kcis.edu.hk
Read More: Local vs. International School – How To Choose The Right School For Your Child In Hong Kong
Editor’s Note: “Top Bilingual Schools And Bilingual Kindergartens In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in September 2024. Special thanks to Danielle Roberts and Alex Purcell Garcia for their contribution.
