This professional development day goes beyond the classroom, equipping school leaders and educators with the tools to create an inclusive, language-aware environment for multilingual learners.

‘Language-aware’ Schools: Marketing, Admissions and Recruitment in the International School Setting
Learn how to make a strong first impression with international families by aligning your school’s messaging with global language standards. This session explores how to present language expectations clearly and inclusively across marketing and admissions platforms, helping to foster trust, engagement, and long-term community connection.

 ‘Language-aware’ Schools: Monitoring Progress and Attainment – Principles and Practice
Discover how to assess multilingual learners ethically and effectively without relying on tools built for monolingual norms. This session unpacks how appropriate language assessment can support learner progress, inform school-wide strategy, and drive inclusive academic excellence.

 ‘Language-aware’ Pedagogy: Understanding Multilingual Learners – What Affects Success?
Uncover the hidden challenges multilingual learners face in the classroom. This interactive session highlights the crucial difference between conversational fluency and academic language, offering whole-school strategies to support learners in navigating both content and language demands.

‘Language-aware’ Pedagogy: Strategies and Tools for Supporting Multilingual Learners
Walk away with a toolkit of evidence-based strategies to embed language development into every lesson. From vocabulary pre-teaching to building academic literacy at text level, this session equips educators with practical techniques to scaffold learning and boost student achievement across the curriculum.

By the end of the day, participants will be equipped with the tools to create a school-wide culture that supports multilingual learners from admission to academic success.

Dr. Helen Wood 

Dr. Helen Wood is the Head of School Partnerships at Password English Language Testing.

Educated in Wales with a Doctorate from Geneva University, she brings first–hand experience of the highs and lows of multilingual education experience. Former Deputy Chair of BAISIS and Head of International Section at d’Overbroeck’s College, she joined Password in 2018. Helen is an experienced teacher trainer and has delivered CPD content for BAISIS, the BSA, COBIS, ECCTIS and various schools upon request.   

Helen fosters Password’s collaboration with independent and international school partners and supports the development of our assessments tailored for the sector. 

James Buchanan

James leads the development of relationships across the Asia Pacific region for Password English Language Testing, focusing on International Schools, Higher Education Institutions, Agents, and Ministries of Education, with a strong emphasis on South East Asia.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, James brings a diverse background in international education. He previously served as the Director of Admissions and Marketing for a leading International School in Vietnam, as a Regional Director for SE Asia at a specialist University matchmaking firm, and as the Regional Lead for Education for 10 countries in Central and Eastern Europe with the UK Department for Business and Trade at the British Embassy in Bratislava.

In his current role, James leverages his extensive experience to foster collaborations and build strategic partnerships within the education sector across the Asia Pacific region.

King Henry VIII College, Malaysia: Persian Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor

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