NIS proudly hosted the ACAMIS English Language Learners (ELL) Conference for the first time, welcoming educators from 38 international schools across Asia. Themed "One Team, One Goal," this year’s conference highlighted the vital importance of collaboration between English language teachers and content-area teachers to support multilingual learners in international school settings.

The theme resonated throughout the two-day event, underscoring a central truth in international education: multilingual learners are not the exception – they are the norm. In China, as in many other regions, the majority of students in international schools are English language learners or multilingual learners. These students bring linguistic and cultural assets to the classroom that, when acknowledged and harnessed, enrich the learning environment for all.

One of the standout moments came from keynote speaker Ms. Beth Skelton, who delivered a science lesson in German during one of her workshops. Through this immersive experience, she modelled how content teachers can make subject matter accessible to students new to English without lowering academic standards. The demonstration powerfully illustrated how language and content can be developed together.

Another key highlight of the conference was the connection and shared purpose among attendees. Educators had the opportunity to build networks, exchange ideas, and develop actionable strategies for more inclusive, language-rich classrooms.

“In international schools, everyone is a language teacher,” said Ms. Shiqi Burton, conference organiser and ELL Teacher at NIS. “Speaking a language other than English is a superpower.”

Hosting the ACAMIS ELL Conference marks another milestone for NIS as a hub of progressive, inclusive education. By bringing together educators from across Asia to explore research-based strategies and build stronger partnerships between departments, our school reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that every student – not just native English speakers – has access to academic excellence.

As schools worldwide continue to serve increasingly diverse student populations, the message from this year’s ACAMIS ELL Conference is clear: language is not a barrier—it’s a bridge. And when teachers work as one team, focused on one goal, every learner can thrive!