Bilingual teaching at primary school level.

The school follows a bilingual programme, offering key subjects such as Maths, Science and the Humanities in English. Subjects such as Drama, Arts and Crafts and Music are taught in Portuguese. Concepts are explained in English to pupils who have not yet mastered Portuguese and vice versa. By promoting and building on literacy skills in both languages, children are given the opportunity to learn an additional language at an early age.

VVIS acknowledges that children at international schools are likely to learn the basic use of the language of the school - in this case, English. However, VVIS values linguistic diversity and recognises that the younger the child, the easier it is for that child to learn an additional language. Recognition of the Portuguese culture and traditions will form an integral part of the daily activities to encourage cross-cultural awareness and tolerance.

Pupils will be taught listening, speaking and reading with emphasis on receptive skills in English and Portuguese in years one and two. Productive skills such as writing will be gradually introduced in both languages. The aim is for all children to be able to understand both languages by the end of year two. After four years pupils should have a good degree of functional fluency in both languages, hopefully achieving conversational fluency in both languages by the end of their primary school career. At the end of year 6, students will transfer to VVIS Secondary School, where they will continue to develop their literacy skills in both languages.

In addition to focusing on language and literacy skills, VVIS also ensures that children develop vocabulary and mathematical understanding through various methods. In the area of knowledge and understanding of the world, children are taught to develop the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help to make sense of the world. Children are also given ample opportunity to develop their physical and creative skills.