IEAP: Intensive English Academic Programme (Grades 1-6)
Igniting Minds. Impacting Lives
Overview
The IEAP at IGB International School is designed for students in Grades 1-6 to develop English proficiency for a smooth transition into international programmes like the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
- Small class sizes and a co-teacher model ensure personalised attention.
- Students learn core subjects like Science, Arts, Physical Education (PE), and Mathematics while improving English.
Curriculum Highlights
- Intensive English lessons integrated with Visual Arts, Performing Arts, PE, and more.
- ESOL strategies used to build language skills and prepare students for an international learning environment.
- Focus on hands-on learning and student-led inquiry.
Co-Teacher Model
Our experienced ESOL co-teachers support students in mastering English through core subjects and homeroom lessons, providing a comprehensive learning experience.
Who is it for?
- Students planning to join the IB or other international programmes.
- No prior English proficiency required, just a strong desire to improve.
Pathways
Facilities
- Spacious classrooms designed to support interactive learning and English development.
- Specialized spaces for Science & Design, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and PE.
- Flexible learning areas with reading nooks and study spaces for focused activities.
Next Steps
- Learn more: Contact us at +603 6145 4688
- Apply now: https://igbis.openapply.com/
For further information and enquiries contact us at admissions@igbis.edu.my.
FAQs
Teacher's Biography
Nigel Woods
Director of IEAP
Nigel has been living and working internationally for over two decades at schools in Thailand, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine. He has worked as a homeroom teacher and as an ESOL specialist, and his work in the PYP spans over 10 years. Nigel is passionate about supporting education from its very core, and has chaired numerous committees involved with inspections and accreditations. Nigel lives in Malaysia with his wife Nikki, and 2 cats. Outside of school, Nigel enjoys travel, training martial arts, chess, exploring new and different cultures and foods.
Erin Coffin
Grade 1 IEAP Teacher
Erin, originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, has spent the last 15 years teaching abroad in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Venezuela, and South Korea. Her teaching journey has primarily focused on elementary-aged students, and she has developed a wealth of experience in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) as well as the US Common Core standards.
Julie Denomme
Grade 2 IEAP Teacher
Julie is a passionate primary educator with extensive experience as a PYP, special education, and ESOL teacher. Her work in diverse educational settings, both internationally and in her home country of the United States, has equipped her with the skills to create an inclusive and engaging classroom environment. Before joining IGBIS, she most recently taught in Shanghai, China as a PYP teacher, where she thoroughly enjoyed guiding students through their learning journey by nurturing their natural curiosities and wonders. Outside of the classroom, Julie enjoys exploring local food, hiking, reading, and spending time with her husband and young son.
Amy Bowan
Grade 2 IEAP Teacher
Ms Amy began her teaching journey at an English language academy in South Korea. Since 2005, she has worked as a junior teacher in New Zealand, where she is passionate about creating a nurturing and calm environment for the learners in her class. She is very excited to be in Malaysia and working at IGBIS. Amy speaks Spanish and continues learning te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, as well as New Zealand Sign Language. In her free time, she enjoys cooking vegetarian meals, practicing wellbeing, reading, macramé, tramping, travel and spending quality time with family and friends.
Amanda Hart
Grade 3 IEAP Teacher
Amanda is a passionate and dedicated educator with over ten years of experience teaching elementary-aged children in diverse settings. Before relocating to Malaysia, she spent six years teaching in Qatar. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Amanda is currently pursuing a DipTESOL to stay up-to-date with the latest in pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, she is an avid lover of the outdoors, with a particular interest in hiking and scuba diving.
Erika Chapman
Grade 3 IEAP Teacher
Ms. Chapman is an enthusiastic and positive teacher who deeply cares about the future and well-being of her students. She has been teaching abroad for over 20 years. She has previously worked in schools in Sakhalin Island, Russia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, USA, and Malaysia.
Kerstin Grevis-James
Grade 4 IEAP Teacher
Kerstin has 33 years of teaching experience in both Australian and International schools. She has worked in a variety of educational settings, including Primary education (UK curriculum, Australian curriculum, and the PYP), Primary and Secondary English as an Additional Language, and whole-school Learning Support (Kerstin was the Head of Learning Support at a school in Hong Kong). Kerstin is interested in learner diversity and environmental causes. A love of travel and new experiences has led her to Malaysia and IGBIS. Kerstin’s interests include reading, the arts, animals, and travel. She can speak basic Mandarin, and German at an intermediate level. Kerstin’s family are all living in Australia.
Amber Scullion
Grade 5 IEAP Teacher
Amber has spent the past nine years teaching in both the United States and international schools in China, gaining experience across diverse educational settings. She has taught Grades 1–5 across a range of subjects, including Humanities, Math, and Science, and most recently taught Classics as part of an Ancient Civilizations program. In addition to her classroom teaching, Amber served as a Dean of Students, where she led initiatives to support student well-being, positive behavior systems, and restorative practices. She is passionate about building inclusive learning environments where students feel seen, heard, and valued, and believes that strong relationships are at the heart of meaningful education. Amber recently relocated to Malaysia with her two cats and is excited to be part of the IGBIS community. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, writing, running, spending time in nature, practicing Pilates, and trying new dishes.
Glen Nicholson
Grade 5 IEAP Teacher
Mr Nicholson grew up on the international circuit and has spent most of his adult life working as an educator. He has in the past been part of learning communities in Oman, Ukraine, New Zealand, Vietnam, Turkiye and Africa. He is passionate about learning and teaching and believes in the real power of education to make a positive impact in the world. He has worked with and learned from people of all ages and is passionate about learning through, in and about languages connecting what is known to the unknown. In the classroom, he strives to nurture the students’ questions and passions and to guide them to become agentive independent lifelong learners. At home, he loves to spend time with his wife and two children as well as to be active, cook, read, play board games and watch movies.
Louise McQuade
Grade 6 IEAP Teacher
Ms Louise has lived and worked internationally for the past 28 years. She has worked in Japan, Australia, Portugal, England, Turkey, Mozambique and Singapore. She is a very experienced IB PYP teacher, especially in Grades 5 and 6. She has a passion for power of education. She believes each learner ability to use their passions, abilities and skills as a force for good in the world. Ms Louise is here with her son, Hamish and they love to travel, discover new places and try as much delicious new food as possible!
Ada Sharifuddin
English through Art
Ada has been teaching in various international schools around Klang Valley since 2013 and is well-versed in the IB curriculum. Throughout her career, she has worked in various roles including assistant teacher in homeroom and art in Elementary, and Host Nation and Bahasa Melayu teacher in Secondary. During her free time, she enjoys reading, Lego-building and swimming. She also loves traveling and enjoying local delicacies.
Farah Areesa binti Mohammad
English through Science and Design
Areesa has been teaching in various national and international schools for approximately a decade, with experience in both primary and secondary education. She holds a degree in TESL and is well-versed in delivering inquiry-based Science and English lessons that align with the IB philosophy. Her background includes a few years teaching within the Cambridge IGCSE framework, where she developed engaging, hands-on projects that foster curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Goh Wei Jian (Bryant)
English through Physical Education (PE)
Bryant has been teaching since 2018 in various international schools in Malaysia. Certified as an Athletics Coach under Malaysia's National Coaching Licensing Scheme, he is also a Certified Kids’ Athletics Lecturer and a U16 Youth Coach for World Athletics (WA). Driven by his passion for sports and education, Bryant inspires the next generation in both classroom and field settings. He also thrives in endurance sports like distance running, showcasing his commitment to an active lifestyle inside and outside of school.
Kui Li Ern
English through Music
Kui has been teaching for over a decade. She began her teaching career as a piano tutor in music schools and later developed her passion for classroom teaching at several international schools in Malaysia. She spent 3 years in the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) prior to her journey at IGBIS as a Music and Chinese specialist teacher in the Primary Years Programme (PYP). Despite being a classically trained pianist, Kui enjoys singing and rapping K-Pop songs as her hobby.
Siti Nurafiqah binti Saffie (Afiqah)
IEAP Bahasa Malaysia and Host Nation Teacher
Afiqah has been teaching for the past 12 years in international schools. She is committed to creating an enjoyable learning environment that stimulates and encourages the students. Afiqah has a huge passion for teaching because her lifelong dream ambition has always been to be a teacher. In her leisure time, she is involved in various volunteer work.
Au Zhi Zhng (Tricia)
Grade 1 IEAP Co-Teacher
Tricia has been supporting neurodiverse students since 2018 across both school and center-based settings. Her experience includes working as a teacher and shadow aide, providing individualized support tailored to each student’s unique learning profile. She began her journey at IGBIS as an Inclusion Aide and later transitioned to a Learning Support Teacher. She is currently a co-teacher for Grade 1, where she continues to learn and explore many ways to support students with diverse needs. Tricia is passionate about inclusive education and believes in empowering every learner to thrive. Outside of school, she enjoys outdoor activities, crocheting, and spending time with her family!
Kinosha Nair Bhaskaran
Grade 2 IEAP Co-Teacher
Kinosha Nair Bhaskaran holds a Bachelor in TESL from Management and Science University, Malaysia, where she was recognised on the Dean’s List for her academic performance. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Early Childhood Education. Kinosha has experience teaching in an international school in Malaysia and has worked with students in Grades 1, 2, and 3, with a strong focus on English Language Learners. She enjoys working with young children and loves helping them grow in confidence, language, and learning. Her teaching style is caring, supportive, and student-focused. Outside the classroom, Kinosha enjoys cooking, exploring new recipes, and trying different cuisines. She also loves hiking and spending time in nature to stay active and refreshed. Kinosha values lifelong learning and is passionate about helping each child grow at their own pace through encouragement, creativity, and care.
Jaswinder Kaur
Grade 3 IEAP Co-Teacher
Ms. Jas, short for Jaswinder Kaur, has been part of IGBIS since 2015. During her time here, she has worked with students from Early Years to Grade 5. Before joining the IEAP Grade 3 team, she taught PYP Grade 2 for seven years, PYP Grade 5 for one year, and Host Nation for one year, and also served as a Trainer for Associate Teachers. Ms. Jas is passionate about teaching and enjoys learning alongside her students. She is a wife and a mother to one daughter and two fur babies, and she values quality time with her family outside of school. Born in Jakarta but proudly Malaysian, she speaks Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Hindi, Punjabi, and English. Her multilingual and multicultural background helps her connect with students from diverse backgrounds. She enjoys guiding students as they adapt to school life in Malaysia, helping them feel seen, safe, and supported.
Mangeet Kaur Khera A/P Mendar Singh
Grade 4 IEAP Co-Teacher
Mangeet holds a First Class Honours degree in Education (TESOL) from the University of Nottingham Malaysia. She began her teaching journey as a Year 5 Homeroom Teacher at an international school in Ampang, where she taught English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies for 2.5 years. She later joined another international school in Damansara, focusing on Primary Science while continuing her role as a homeroom teacher. Passionate about education, Mangeet enjoys working with children and takes pride in supporting their academic and personal growth. She strongly believes in lifelong learning and actively seeks opportunities for professional and personal development.
Thanushyah A/P Paranjothi
Grade 5 IEAP Co-Teacher
Thanushyah holds a Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) and have worked in several international schools. Currently, she is a co-teacher for the Intensive English Academic Programme (IEAP) at IGB International School, where she supports students in developing their English language skills. She enjoys working in multicultural environments and is passionate about language learning and student growth. In her free time, she loves traveling, listening to music and baking, hobbies that keep her balanced and inspired as an educator.
Ain Mutiara Mohd Noor
Assistant Manager in Administration and Customer Engagement
Mutiara comes from a Science background and possesses a passion for both organisation and lifelong learning. She brings nine years of experience in school office operations and administration to her role and is adept at managing the smooth running of daily operations.
