Why bilingualism is the key invisible asset of Russian International School students
An Inside View from the Classroom
At Russian International School, bilingualism is not an elective, a special course, or a competitive advantage — it is the foundation of the everyday academic environment. Our students do not simply learn Russian and English; they think in both languages, switching between them freely depending on the task and context.
This ability manifests everywhere: in academic discussions, during project work, exam preparation, and informal conversations. It’s not an exception — it’s the everyday norm. And it’s not a special feature — it’s a natural, sustained way of thinking.
Natural switching: How bilingualism works at RIS
In class, students move effortlessly between two languages throughout the day. However, there is no language switching within individual lessons: subjects from the English program are taught entirely in English, while subjects from the Russian curriculum are delivered in Russian.
A major factor shaping this ability is the structure of the academic day. At Russian International School, students follow two parallel academic programs: the English National Curriculum and the Russian national program (FGOS). The school day is divided into two distinct blocks: in the morning, students follow the Russian curriculum; in the afternoon — English subjects (or vice versa, depending on the schedule).
Although the programs differ methodologically, in practice they are largely synchronized and often overlap. Students experience them as a unified educational environment, internalizing two systems, two sets of terminology, and two academic approaches — while thinking holistically, without drawing rigid boundaries between them.
At the same time, the language of instruction remains distinct for each subject: Russian is used for the national curriculum, and English for the international program. This separation helps students develop clear academic registers in both languages — without mixing them during lessons.
Crucially, switching languages does not interrupt thinking — it expands it. Both languages become equal cognitive tools. Students use them instinctively, without consciously choosing one over the other. Because for them, this is the norm. And it is this structure that cultivates not just bilinguals, but academically flexible, intellectually mature, and culturally agile learners.
What science says: Bilingualism and the brain
Scientific research confirms what we see at RIS every day:
- Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and UCL show that bilingual children demonstrate stronger working memory, attention control, and multitasking skills.
- According to The Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (2016), adolescents fluent in two languages exhibit greater gray matter density in brain regions responsible for cognitive control.
- Research by Bialystok et al. (2012) found that bilingual students more easily acquire new language structures and adapt faster to different educational systems — especially in international academic environments.
In linguistics, this phenomenon is known as academic code-switching — the strategic use of two languages within a single intellectual task. At Russian International School, it’s not an exception — it’s the norm. It has become a structured part of the educational system.
Our students:
- analyze and synthesize information in both languages;
- formulate complex arguments fluently across linguistic codes;
- confidently work with Russian and international sources, examination formats, university requirements, and faculty.
Why does this give students a real advantage?
❯ Preparedness for international education
RIS graduates adapt seamlessly to universities in the UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Asia. Academic English and global learning environments are not unfamiliar to them — they are part of their daily experience.
❯ Academic independence
Bilingual students write analytical essays, engage with scholarly texts, and conduct research — not by memorizing language structures, but by thinking in the language.
❯ Cognitive flexibility and confidence
They can effortlessly shift between academic styles, teaching formats, and cultural expectations — without losing clarity or academic depth.
Why bilingualism matters for families
For families thinking ahead about higher education, bilingualism is not just a convenience. It’s a foundation that opens real global opportunities:
- Access to any university in the world. RIS graduates write confidently in both languages — from Russian university essays to English-language personal statements.
- Faster acquisition of additional languages. A well-developed "language switch" mechanism makes it easier for bilingual students to learn a third (or even fourth) language — such as French, Spanish, or German.
- Skills for international communication. In their future careers, students will navigate emails, meetings, and presentations in multiple languages. At RIS, this is already a daily norm.
How to support bilingualism at home
Even if you cannot speak both languages to the same level as your child, you can still support them at:
- Ask them questions to explain to you their work. For example, if they just read a text in English about an interesting topic, ask them follow-up questions for explanations in Russian.
- Discuss differences and fun nuances, such as how there is no Russian word for 'grandparents' and no English word for 'тоска'.
- Enjoy media in its original language instead of dubbed movies or translated books.
One powerful insight
- As educators, we see it every day: children switching between languages effortlessly, without pausing to think about it. For them, it’s routine. But for us, it’s a sign of something remarkable: thinks across two academic systems,
- navigates multiple cultural and linguistic contexts with ease,
- and faces change not with fear, but with confidence.
For these students, borders are not obstacles — they are launch points.
And bilingualism isn’t just an academic asset — it’s a lifelong educational capital. One that opens doors, broadens perspectives, and builds a mindset for the world ahead.
