EAL

Sedbergh School - EAL, English as a Language Image

introducing english as an additional language

Sedbergh School provides specialist English as an Additional Language teaching to international pupils who require extra tuition with their English.  Pupils who have been identified as requiring EAL lessons are individually assessed when they join the school so that the appropriate support can be given to them.  As far as possible pupils are integrated into mainstream classrooms, where all teachers have a responsibility to support the needs of EAL pupils.

In EAL lessons teaching usually takes place in small groups, of between 2 and 8 pupils; where necessary lessons may be given on an individual, one-to-one basis.  Pupils are given support which helps them to access the school curriculum, as well as practising the key language elements of grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Year 9 pupils may have EAL lessons instead of Modern Foreign Languages lessons or instead of mainstream English lessons.  In Years 10 and 11 EAL can be taken instead of mainstream English lessons or as an option – if necessary pupils may do EAL both instead of mainstream English and as an option.  Pupils in Year 11 are entered for CIE IGCSE English as a Second Language.

Preparation for the IELTS Academic examination (an entrance requirement for most UK universities) is offered to pupils studying in Years 12 and 13; pupils can do the exam here at Sedbergh School every June.

The EAL Department also maintains a pastoral emphasis, working closely with other staff to ensure the wellbeing of international pupils and encouraging them to participate fully in the wide range of extra-curricular activities and events on offer at Sedbergh School.

(EAL lessons incur an extra charge; the charges are added to pupils’ school account at the end of each academic term.)