--- title: "Bilingual Education in International Schools: Expat Parent Guide 2025" description: Learn why bilingual education in international schools matters for expat families in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Compare international schools with doris. image: https://blog.doris.school/hubfs/girl-sitting-school-table-with-notebook.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.doris.school/bilingual-education-international-schools-expats#main-content) [![doris-logo-dark (1)](https://blog.doris.school/hubfs/doris-logo-dark%20(1).svg)](https://tips.doris.school/) - [Ask doris](https://tips.doris.school/chat) - [Explore events](https://tips.doris.school/schools/events) - [My shortlist](https://tips.doris.school/parent/dashboard/compare) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Ask doris](https://tips.doris.school/chat) - [Explore events](https://tips.doris.school/schools/events) - [My shortlist](https://tips.doris.school/parent/dashboard/compare) - [Find schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools) [Find schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools) [All posts](https://www.doris.school/international-school-guide) October 10, 2025 # Bilingual Education in International Schools: Advice for Expat Families ![Picture of Sara Ortiz Martinez](https://blog.doris.school/hubfs/public.avif) By  Sara Ortiz Martinez  ·  1 minute read For expat families, one of the big questions when choosing an international school is: *Should my child study in a bilingual program?* Whether you’re in Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand, many international schools now offer bilingual pathways. Here’s what parents should know. ### ![girl-sitting-school-table-with-notebook](https://blog.doris.school/hs-fs/hubfs/girl-sitting-school-table-with-notebook.jpg?width=3400&height=5100&name=girl-sitting-school-table-with-notebook.jpg) ### 1. Why Bilingual Education Matters for Expats - **Smooth relocation:** Helps children adapt to a new culture while keeping their home language. - **Future opportunities:** Bilingualism is an asset for universities and careers. - **Confidence & integration:** Children can make friends more easily across cultures. ### 2. Bilingual Education in Singapore Singapore is home to several international schools with well-developed bilingual pathways. | School | Bilingual Languages | Curriculum | Annual Tuition (SGD) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Nexus International School Singapore](http://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore/nexus-international-school-(singapore)) | English-Mandarin | IB, British | 30,000 – 45,000 | | [The Grange Institution](http://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore/the-grange-institution) | English-Mandarin | IB PYP | 20,000 – 25,000 | | [International French School (IFS)](http://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore/international-french-school-(singapore)) | French-English | French National + IB | 15,000 – 25,000 | | [German European School Singapore (GESS)](http://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore/german-european-school-singapore-(GESS)) | German-English | IB + German curriculum | 20,000 – 40,000 | | [Canadian International School](http://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore/canadian-international-school) | English-Chinese | IB all-through | 25,000 – 40,000 | 👉 Explore: [All Singapore international schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools/singapore) --- ### 3. Bilingual Education in Malaysia [Malaysia’s international schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools/malaysia) tend to focus on English, but some premium schools offer strong second-language programs. | School | Location | Bilingual Languages | Curriculum | Annual Tuition (MYR) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Marlborough College Malaysia](http://tips.doris.school/schools/malaysia/marlborough-college-malaysia) | Iskandar Puteri, Johor | English + additional languages | British | 90,000 – 130,000 | | [The Alice Smith School](http://tips.doris.school/schools/malaysia/the-alice-smith-school-secondary) | Kuala Lumpur | English + second-language tracks | British | 30,000 – 80,000 | 👉 Explore: [All Malaysia international schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools/malaysia) --- ### 4. Bilingual Education in Thailand Thailand has a growing number of bilingual international schools, especially in Bangkok. | School | Location | Bilingual Languages | Curriculum | Annual Tuition (THB) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Wells International School](http://tips.doris.school/schools/thailand/wells-international-school-bang-na-campus) | Bangkok | English-Thai + English-Mandarin options | American + IB | 300,000 – 600,000 | | [Bangkok Patana School](https://tips.doris.school/schools/thailand/bangkok-patana-school) | Bangkok | English + second language tracks | British + IB | 600,000 – 900,000 | 👉 Explore: [All Thailand international schools](https://tips.doris.school/schools/thailand) --- ### 5. Questions Parents Should Ask - What is the balance between English and the second language? - Is the bilingual program available across all grades or only in primary? - What support exists for children who are not fluent in either language? --- ## FAQs **Is bilingual education common in international schools?** Yes, especially in Singapore and Bangkok where English + Mandarin, French-English, or German-English programs are common. **Does bilingual education mean less English?** No, most programs maintain strong English alongside the second language. **Which curricula support bilingual streams best?** IB, French, and German curricula integrate bilingual programs well, while British schools may offer bilingual tracks at certain levels. 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