English as an Additional Language
Supporting our international students to strengthen their English
At our school, we are committed to supporting all our overseas students in their English language development journey. That’s why we have a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) department, where students receive tailored support and teaching, completely free of charge.
Our experienced EAL teachers work closely with students, both in small groups and individually, to help them enhance their language skills. We understand that each student has unique needs, which is why we offer a personalised teaching programme designed to meet their specific requirements.
As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive support, students can expect to receive the following number of EAL lessons per week:
- Year 7 to 11: 10 sessions of 35 minutes each per week
- Year 12 to 13: 6 sessions of 35 minutes each per week
Please note that the level of provision may be adjusted based on the individual student’s English proficiency level. We are dedicated to ensuring that all our students have the resources they need to succeed academically and linguistically.
What We Do
We assist students in:
- Managing note-making, coursework assignments, and homework tasks effectively.
- Practicing examination techniques, including generalising, paraphrasing, summarising, and evaluating data through task-based activities.
- Reinforcing topics covered in academic classes by offering additional samples, illustrations, and monitoring students’ written work.
- Preparing for specific exams such as the Edexcel IGCSE exam in Year 11, the IELTS exam in Year 12 and/or 13, and providing opportunities for students to take the Cambridge First exam, subject to availability.
- For students with a sufficient level of English, and with the approval of the Head of EAL and Director of Studies, mainstream English lessons are available as an alternative to EAL classes.
EAL in the Sixth Form
In the Sixth Form, our EAL teaching is meticulously designed to equip students for successful A-level studies and for university life beyond West Buckland. Our focus is twofold: nurturing both language proficiency and academic study skills. Our goal is to ensure that students are well-prepared to achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher by the completion of their A-levels, as this is the typical requirement for admission to prestigious and competitive universities.
In Year 13, students who meet the IELTS requirement for their chosen university programs have the option to reduce their EAL timetable to just one hour per week.
