When English is not a student's first language, EAL (English as an Additional Language) lessons are designed to enable students in Years 7-9 to develop skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. By expanding vocabulary and improving grammar, students will become better equipped for communicating and learning in English.
Lessons are designed around their existing English level (based on CEFR Common European Framework of Reference), and include, a wide range of accessible but challenging reading books, exercises and activities. Students will progress through the CEFR levels to improve all aspects of their English and enable these students to better integrate into school life.
Students in Years 10 and 11 work towards a Cambridge IGCSE in English as a Second Language (0993) (Speaking Endorsement)
This course develops learners’ ability to understand and use English in a range of situations. It builds learners’ awareness of the nature of language and the four language-learning skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Content focuses on practical communication for everyday use, which can also form the basis for more in-depth language study and develops transferable skills to complement other areas of the curriculum.
In addition to continuing to develop their English language skills, EAL students will develop and improve skills in taking notes, summarising, paraphrasing, assessing and understanding texts.
Speaking Exam - An approximately 15-minute discussion with an examiner based on a selected topic.
Students are marked on accuracy of language, understanding and fluency.
Reading and Writing Exam (core or extended - dependant on ability) - a series of exercises including answering, questions from a text, deciding on the opinions of individuals, taking notes, summarising, informal writing and report writing.
Listening Exam - Listening Exercises including, deciding on facts and opinions, answering questions about an interview, and completing information about a presentation or talk.
IELTS is a test of English language proficiency. Universities will have course entry requirements in terms of English Language proficiency. Students will work towards meeting these requirements, with lessons designed prepare them for the test.
The test has four sections; Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Reading section includes texts from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. Students strive to achieving the required score, and gaining entry to their chosen University Degree course.
Reading Paper
Texts come from books, journals, magazines, newspapers and online resources, written for a non-specialist audience. All the topics are of general interest to students at undergraduate or postgraduate level. The texts may be written in different styles, for example, narrative, descriptive or discursive/argumentative. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. Texts may also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations.
Writing Paper
There are two Writing tasks.
In Task 1, students have to describe some visual information in their own words (a graph, table, chart or diagram). You need to write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
In Task 2, students are given a point of view, argument or problem which you need to discuss. They need to write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes.
Listening Paper
The paper has four parts, with ten questions in each part. The questions are in the same order as the information in the recording, so the answer to the first question will be before the answer to the second question, and so on.
Parts 1 and 2 deal with everyday, social situations. There is a conversation between two speakers in Part 1 (for example, a conversation about travel arrangements). Only one person speaks in Part 2 (for example, a speech about local facilities).
Parts 3 and 4 deal with educational and training situations. In Part 3 there is a conversation between two main speakers (for example, two university students in discussion, perhaps guided by a tutor). In Part 4 only one person speaks on an academic subject.
Speaking Paper
The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the candidate and an examiner. The Speaking test is recorded.
There are three parts to the test, and each part follows a specific pattern of tasks in order to test your speaking ability in different ways.
