English as an Additional Language (EAL)

EAL learners participate in the classroom timetable with their peers. At this stage, all learners are gaining literacy skills in a broader sense and therefore the skills being learned through exposure in the classroom to the Literacy curriculum for English serve as a foundation for EAL learners as well.

All students join LOTE classes as timetabled.

To support EAL learners in the acquisition of English language skills to meet the demands of studying all subjects in English, an EAL course is offered to students in Grade 1 and above in place of the timetabled LOTE lessons. These small group lessons support students to develop skills in English at a level that will enable them to transition out of the EAL classes when they are ready and join the LOTE class of their choice.

Currently, two courses are provided with flexible content according to the students’ needs:

Additional English is offered in place of a LOTE in Grades 6, 7 and 8 in order to improve students’ language proficiency and academic reading and writing skills to meet the demands of studying all subjects in English. Lessons focus on the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and include vocabulary and grammar.

EAL is offered in place of English in Grades 7 and 8. In these lessons students study a variety of intensive reading skills and complete a challenging academic writing task, such as an essay. In addition, regular extensive reading in EAL encourages students to develop and maintain a personal reading habit for increased language fluency.

In Grade 6, English is taught as a combined English-Humanities course and our EAL students take Additional English in place of LOTE lessons.

In Grades 7 and 8, EAL learners follow EAL lessons in place of English lessons, and, in some cases, may also follow Additional English lessons in place of LOTE lessons.

EAL learners take an EAL course that is designed for students whose first language is not English, but who are taught in English. 

Our UWCSEA language acquisition and development course in Grade 9 and 10 is for students whose first language is not English. The main focus is on language development, including preparation for the (I)GCSE examination in English as a Second Language should the student elect to take this course, and preparation for studies in English in the IBDP in English B, and possibly in English A.

EAL learners follow the IBDP English B Group 2 course—and can thereby gain a bilingual diploma. 

Students also select a LOTE from the available options.