School Head of Multilingualism / EAL

The Asia Pacific Schools, in partnership with The International Schools Partnership (ISP), equips students for local and global success by delivering Amazing Learning and offers both the international and Malaysian National curricula in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.

The Asia Pacific Schools promotes equality and is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, as well as providing employees with a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

A culture of engagement and trust, where staff contributions are recognized and valued.

A passionate and motivated team of professionals who put children at the heart of decision-making.

An embedded whole campus commitment to professional development and a commitment to serving others.

A peer network of like-minded teaching colleagues and support from operations’ staff.

Access to expertise, best practice sharing and learning opportunities across countries and cultures.

A commitment to employee well-being.

We also offer:

1. Pension fund contribution to an Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
2. Fee discount for children of employees
3. Outpatient and inpatient medical benefits
4. Paid leaves: medical, hospitalization, annual leaves, maternity, compassionate, exam/study, etc.
5. Training opportunities

ISP Malaysia – Asia Pacific Schools

We are seeking to hire a School Head of Multilingualism/ EAL with experience of working in an international school for commencement August 2025. Reporting to: Deputy Head of Secondary.

Purpose of Role

Facilitate experiences of amazing learning. This essential role focuses on ensuring that our multilingual students are provided with structured and consistent opportunities to become proficient in English and any other languages of education, in addition to their home and additional languages, in ways that support their wellbeing and identity, academic achievement and future pathways. Supports their school to embed quality provision and drive improvement through our quality assurance framework, the Multilingualism Roadmap and by committing to continuous engagement with the Learning Improvement Process.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP School Head of Multilingualism: Key Responsibilities

Leading and implementing ISP’s Multilingualism strategy across the school by:

1. Developing, improving, agreeing and implementing the school’s multilingualism vision and language policy in collaboration with other stakeholders.
2. Contributing to enhanced admissions procedures where required to develop detailed language profiles, assess baseline language proficiency, identify potential future pathways and set students and their families up for success in language learning.
3. Collaborating with MLT and SLT to ensure that there is a linguistically inclusive, supportive induction process in place at the school, which welcomes learners and their families effectively and promotes their rapid integration into the school community.
4. Determining appropriate professional learning opportunities related to multilingualism.
5. Upskilling school learning communities (leaders, teachers, students and parents/carers) about the benefits and processes of multilingual learning.
6. Working directly with Key Stage leaders, heads of department and other MLT and SLT to support learning design for multilingual learners as they develop units of work.
7. Supporting in coordinating the launch of EdTech initiatives that support language learning, such as iSP-promoted digital platforms, AI tools and translation software.
8. Gathering evidence of learning in real time through regular Learning Visits to ensure that all multilingual learners are either engaged in a ‘good struggle’ or consolidating learning.
9. Creating and developing a repository of resources that can be accessed and used by school educators across the curriculum to ensure that all multilingual learners can access learning in the languages of education at the school.

Working in partnership with key school stakeholders to drive, embed and develop ISP’s Multilingualism strategy, including:

1. The Regional Head of Multilingualism/Group Head of Multilingualism to report and collaborate on school-based initiatives, areas requiring additional support, professional learning opportunities and Multilingualism Roadmap (our quality assurance framework) alignment.
2. The Campus Principal and members of the SLT to develop language policy and action planning using ISP’s Learning First approach and the 9 Criteria of the Learning Improvement Process.
3. The school’s Admissions Team to support the initial enrolment, language profiling and baseline assessment and induction of multilingual learners into the school.
4. Other school-based multilingualism heads and specialists within the region to collaborate on developing and implementing best practices, regional learning events and to support, review and improve language provision.
5. Teachers across the school to ensure that Knowledge, Skills and Understanding (KSU) related to multilingualism are developed and embedded in all planning and learning design.
6. Parents and carers, to ensure that the school’s approach to multilingualism is widely shared and embedded, while detailed understandings about individual students’ needs, profiles, progress and next steps are communicated openly and accessibly.

Designing and facilitating language learning across the curriculum, including:

1. Delivering high impact language learning courses for multilingual learners.
2. Where appropriate, conducting action research into key focus areas related to the development of language learning within the school.
3. Ensuring timetabling of EAL is provided to ensure quality time is embedded to meet, monitor and review work of staff.
4. Delivering CPD on relevant EAL strategies.
5. Model teaching of EAL small group support.
6. Tracking progress of EAL students and report on progress.
7. Working with admissions during enrolment process and assessing new students where necessary.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

1. A bachelor’s degree in education and/or a recognised, language-related postgraduate teaching qualification or equivalent.
2. At least 5 years of teaching experience within a recognised educational organisation, ideally internationally.
3. The ability to differentiate and adapt effectively for students with a range of linguistic backgrounds, abilities and stages of development.
4. The ability to use data points across the school to track progress and adapt programmes to develop highly personalised language learning pathways; and the skills to visualise and share this data with different stakeholders to drive improvements.
5. CELTA/TEFL certification qualification as an added advantage.
6. Experience of successful coordination or middle leadership within a school context.
7. Familiarity with and experience of working with the schools’ curriculum (whether national, UK, USA, IPC, IB or other).
8. Evidence of a commitment to professional learning through the completion of specialised courses, membership of professional organisations and ongoing action research.

We seek an individual who consistently models iSP’s Leadership Competencies in all that they do:

1. Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
2. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback, supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
3. Innovation Leadership. It is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
5. Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
6. Community Focus. It is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
7. Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.