From Russia to Dubai: "How My Children Learnt English at a Dubai School"

February 6th 2025

From Russia to Dubai: "How My Children Learnt English at a Dubai School"

Diana Kulyagin and her four children moved to Dubai two years ago, speaking very little English. Now, her eldest son, aged 16, is preparing for his GCSEs after receiving intensive English Language Learning support at South View School.

By Natalie Long

Updated:

6th Feb 2025

With a month’s notice, Diana and her husband left their native Russia for a new adventure in Dubai - along with their children aged one, three, 11 and 14. Her two eldest sons, Kosta, now 16, and Iiuri, now 13, had received some English instruction at their school in Moscow, but this was their first time abroad.

After the family arrived in Dubai, the children were enrolled at South View School, an all-through UK curriculum school in Dubailand. Along with the challenges of finding a home and school at short notice, the two boys had to take the plunge into learning English in order to access the curriculum.

Mum Diana acknowledges it’s been hard work, but with support from South View School's English Language Learning (ELL) department, and her faith in their abilities, she feels it’s been a success. Find out How English is taught to non-English speakers in Dubai Schools including South View School.

Iurii, who started in Band B (early acquisition), went to the ELL department during his mainstream English classes. He progressed to Band C (developing competence) and Band D (competent) over his first academic year and now is fully immersed in all lessons including mainstream English class, says Gemma Donovan, English as an Additional Language (EAL) Coordinator at South View School. To support with content, he now visits ELL once or twice a week during DEAR (drop Everything and Read) time.

"Kosta had a similar path, and last year he joined the IGCSE ESL class in place of mainstream English and is currently taking his mock IGCSE exams," says Ms Donovan. "His English has improved considerably."

Diana spoke with WhichSchoolAdvisor about their experience, describing how her family has adjusted to life in Dubai, the support they’ve received at South View School, and how her sons have thrived through the English Language Learning programme there.

How much English did your children know before starting at South View School?

"They learned English at school in Russia, and I hired tutors for them. Each of the children has different abilities, not only for language, but also for perception of knowledge, speed of perception. Their English proficiency was around Level A2 (New to English according to The Bell Foundation's EAL Assessment). They had not been abroad before, and they were simply afraid to speak at all. Even if they knew something, they were just afraid to talk."

Why did you decide to send them to an English-language school in Dubai?

"There is a Russian school in Sharjah, but my husband didn’t want to live in Sharjah and his office is in Dubai. Secondly, I feel that moving to Dubai was an added development for the children – a leap into the future. For them to learn the language, it is not enough to just have tutors, we need to immerse them in the environment, in school. That’s why I wanted them to attend an English-language school.

"At that time, I didn’t fully understand all the options available here, like the American or IB programmes, though I have a better understanding now. Since our work covers part of the fees, we were able to access an English-language school."

After moving from Russia, how easy was it to find a school place in Dubai?

"The children were so stressed – they had to adjust to a new environment, school, country, language, and housing. We were initially turned down by one school, but they didn’t explain why, whether it was due to the language or the test.

"However, when we visited South View School, we liked how we were greeted and spoken to. They showed genuine respect to the children - and the reply was quick compared to other schools.

"The language support was well thought out, and they weren’t afraid to take on students with language challenges. I felt some other schools either didn’t have enough resources or were hesitant to support our children."

How have your sons adapted to school life in Dubai?

"My boys are already at that age where they won't complain, they'll just tolerate it. But as a mother, of course, I could see some signs that it was challenging for them. I realised that it was a challenge for them. It wasn't easy, it was quite difficult. But I had no doubt that they would cope. Not for a second.

"I kept checking in with them, and I eventually realised that the learning style here is just different. Subjects are taught differently here, especially mathematics and physics.

"So now they also study in an online Russian school. They take tests once every three months, because they are preparing for technical universities – they want to become programmers. The question is, where will they study next? If in Russia, then Kosta needs to get a certificate."

How is their English now after two years in Dubai?

"The school has been very supportive. Kosta was really impressed; after two years with a private teacher, his English improved. Iurii received one-on-one support for a year, as it depends on age.

"I’m really glad that they can now talk in English, and I feel like the whole world is open to them. They won’t be afraid to look for work anywhere, not just in Russia."

What about your youngest son?

"When Stefan [now in Year 2] arrived, it was difficult. He loves to communicate and understood that the other children didn’t understand him, but he spoke to everyone anyway.

"He started in FS2, and since he didn't know a single word in English, he had teachers who taught him colours, objects, shapes – everything he knew in Russian, but in English.

"The first three months, he didn’t speak; he was silent. Around spring, he started to speak. Then, we went to Russia for the summer, and he almost forgot everything. But, by September, he remembered it again. Now he knows how to read, and he reads books from school as well as English books we have bought for him. He can also read in Russian now."

Do you think it was easier for your youngest son to learn English in Dubai?

"It was faster because he’s younger, but it’s difficult to compare because my children have different personalities. Maybe the younger one wasn’t as afraid to speak up. But a lot of it depends on the older children’s motivation.

"If parents have higher education, and for example, my husband works in English, it gives them strong motivation to learn English. It really comes from the family."

Has your school experience in Dubai lived up to your expectations?

"When you jump headfirst into the unknown, you have no expectations. I try not to have them so I won't be disappointed. I just decided to accept things as they come.

"As for language support, I'm grateful to our school for the additional classes that they provided. My children’s language proficiency has improved, and their self-confidence has grown. Plus, the classes were free, though I was prepared to pay."

What advice would you give to other families moving to Dubai with limited English?

"Don’t be afraid – just go for it. I didn’t see this situation as a bad one; I saw it as a great opportunity to start a new life and for the children to learn a new language, have new experiences, and discover a new culture.

"For mums who have a lot of children, don’t be afraid. It's not too much. Sometimes it's easier with more children because there’s less pressure on each child."