English as an Additional Language at Dalian American International School
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Dalian American International School, a Cambridge English Demonstration School since September 2025, reports that its English as an Additional Language (EAL) curriculum has been fully upgraded, with the CEFR used as a unified benchmark for English proficiency.
Cambridge English Demonstration School
Dalian American International School (DAIS) became a Cambridge English Demonstration School in September 2025. In a post dated 27 October, 2026, the school states that since then it "has continued to enhance its English as an Additional Language (EAL) curriculum". The headline of the same post reads: "Supporting Every Learner: DAIS EAL Curriculum Has Been Fully Upgraded".
The post describes DAIS as "Part of the Nord Anglia Education family".
CEFR as the common benchmark
According to the school, it uses the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) "as a unified benchmark for English proficiency". The post presents the CEFR as the reference point for describing students' English levels.
English across the secondary years
The school describes the secondary years as Grades 6–12. In its words, "From Grades 6–12, students increasingly use English to study mathematics, science, humanities, and other subjects."
For secondary EAL, the school sets out three development stages. Students follow one of these stages, and the school states that placement is "Based on WIDA results, MAP data, and teacher observations". WIDA and MAP are the two assessment sources named in the post, alongside observations by teachers.
Cambridge English Program for Grades 1–7
In addition to its EAL curriculum, the school states that it "also offers the Cambridge English Program for students in Grades 1–7."
English in the elementary curriculum
English learning in the elementary years is also covered in other school posts. DAIS teaches a subject called World Literacy, which the school says "brings Language Arts and Social Studies together through an interconnected, interdisciplinary approach to learning across Kindergarten to Grade 5."
In a post dated 04 November, 2026, the school reported that elementary students were exploring the overarching understanding "Our Changing World: Past, Present, and Future" that quarter. Examples given in the post:
- In Grade 3, students are "developing their understanding of different sentence types while investigating Ancient Egypt and exploring how societies have developed over time."
- In Grade 5, students are exploring Ancient Greece through the question, "Why does the past still matter today?"
The school states that English Language Arts in the elementary school is assessed against the Common Core State Standards, and Social Studies against the AERO standards.
Reading and Language Usage in the Spring 2026 MAP assessments
In a post dated 22 October, 2026, DAIS reported on its elementary results in the Spring 2026 NWEA MAP assessments. For the two English-related areas, the school reported:
- Language Usage results were at or above the US benchmark in every grade assessed from Grade 2 to Grade 5.
- Reading results were above the benchmark in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, and 4.
The school also reported that Grade 4 had results above the US benchmark in all four subjects assessed.
MAP data is one of the sources the school names for placing secondary students into one of the three EAL development stages.
Summary of the published details
| Item | What the school has published |
|---|---|
| Cambridge English Demonstration School | Since September 2025 |
| EAL curriculum | Described as fully upgraded |
| Proficiency benchmark | CEFR |
| Secondary EAL | Three development stages, placement based on WIDA results, MAP data and teacher observations |
| Cambridge English Program | Grades 1–7 |
| World Literacy | Kindergarten to Grade 5, combining Language Arts and Social Studies |
What the material does not cover
The posts reviewed do not describe what each of the three secondary EAL development stages involves or how students move between them. They also do not state an English level required for admission.
Questions parents ask
Is Dalian American International School a Cambridge English Demonstration School?
Yes. The school states that it became a Cambridge English Demonstration School in September 2025 and has since continued to enhance its English as an Additional Language (EAL) curriculum.
How does the school measure students' English proficiency?
The school says it uses the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) as a unified benchmark for English proficiency.
How are secondary students placed in EAL?
The school describes three development stages. Students follow one of them based on WIDA results, MAP data and teacher observations.
Which grades can take the Cambridge English Program?
The school states that it offers the Cambridge English Program for students in Grades 1–7.
How did elementary students do in Reading and Language Usage on MAP?
In the Spring 2026 MAP assessments, Language Usage results were at or above the US benchmark in every grade assessed from Grade 2 to Grade 5, and Reading results were above the benchmark in Kindergarten and Grades 1, 2, and 4.
Sources
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/12/short-term-study
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/10/yes-ai-no-ai
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/06/halloween
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/05/7-day-boarding
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/04/world-literacy
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/11/03/david
- https://www.daischina.org/-/media/dais-dalian/admission/2026-2027-fee-schedule---dais-en.pdf
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/10/27/eal
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/10/22/map-results
- https://www.daischina.org/news/2026/10/19/ai-for-teachers