The development of language is fundamental to the need to communicate, it supports, and enhances our thinking and understanding. The learning process simultaneously involves learning language, learning about language and learning through language. 

All mainstream classes are taught in and through the English Language. Students from Sunflower learn French as an additional language whiles Mandarin is introduced at Year 3 as an extra additional language. All students at DIS study one of the following languages; Ga, Twi and Ewe – either as a Mother tongue or the host country language. 

Language learning in Early Years and Primary School takes place within the context of the units of inquiry and also as a separate subject. The overall expectations for language learning are described in five developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

There are four strands within the Language Framework: 

Oral language – listening and speaking 

Visual language – viewing and presenting 

Written language – reading 

Written language – writing

Mathematic learning in Early Years and Primary School takes place within the context of the units of inquiry and also as a separate subject. The overall expectations for mathematics learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

There are five knowledge strands within the Mathematics framework: 

Data Handling 

Measurement 

Shape and Space 

Pattern and Function 

Number

Science learning in Early Years and Primary School takes place within the context of the units of inquiry. The overall expectations for Science learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

In Science knowledge and conceptual understandings are arranged into five strands:

• Living Things 
• Earth and Space 
• Materials and Matter 
• Forces and Energy 
• Human and natural environments

Social Studies learning in Early Years and Primary School takes place within the context of the units of inquiry. The overall expectations for Social Studies learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6. 

The knowledge content and conceptual understanding of the Social Studies curriculum is divided into five strands:

• Human systems and economic activities 
• Social organization and culture 
• Continuity and change through time 
• Human and natural environments 
• Resources and the environment

The Visual Art curriculum is divided into two strands:

• Creativity 
• Responding

These strands allow the students to learn specific skills within a creative framework, they allow the student to simultaneously create and respond to art. The overall expectations for Visual Art learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

In the Early Years and Primary School, the Music curriculum is taught by a specialist teacher and learning takes place within the context of the units of inquiry and as a separate subject. The overall expectations for Music learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

In the Early Years and Primary School, the development of personal and social well-being takes place within the context of the Units of Inquiry and across all areas of the curriculum and school life. The overall expectations for personal and social education are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.

In Early Years, Physical Education is taught by the Enricher and in Primary School by specialist teachers and learning takes place within the context of the units of inquiry and as a separate subject. The overall expectations for Physical Education learning are described in four developmental phases with each phase building upon and complementing the previous one. These phases cover DIS students from Sunflower through Year 6.