English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Kingswood's EAL department supports students who are learning English as a second or additional language. Staff within the department have a wealth of experience working with EAL students in the UK and overseas and are sensitive to cultural differences and personal learning styles.

The EAL department's main aim is to help students access the curriculum by increasing their confidence in using English in their mainstream classes. EAL class sizes are very small and offer the perfect environment for learning English. Lessons are delivered in an enjoyable, stimulating and challenging manner and employ individual, group and pair work.

We use a number of techniques to support students’ learning, including grammar activities, subject-specific vocabulary lessons and both academic and general English writing tuition. Our students have access to a wide range of computer programmes, which also help improve general English and a subject-specific vocabulary. EAL teachers work closely with academic subject teachers to identify the key areas of language that should be focused on. Mainstream teachers are also made aware of any areas of language difficulty and, in turn, also help their pupils develop strategies to counter these challenges.

Key Stage 3

The EAL Centre is located in the heart of the English department. It is a resource centre equipped with a wide variety of reference, reading and audio-visual materials designed to help all pupils in the school for whom English is not their mother tongue to improve their language skills and competence so that they can derive the maximum benefit from an education delivered in English. For many pupils from overseas, it is appropriate that they should receive extra support and tuition in English rather than take up a modern European language. English as an Additional Language is therefore taught in those periods on the timetable when the other pupils in the year group are learning another modern language.

GCSE

At GCSE level, pupils who study EAL will follow the Edexcel International GCSE English as a Second Language. Pupils will continue to be taught the five skills of reading, writing, use of English (grammar), listening, and speaking. EAL provides valuable support to students in their other subjects at school by helping them to improve their confidence and proficiency in the language so that they are able to get the most from their studies at GCSE level, especially English, and be in a good position to cope with the linguistic demands of subjects at A-Level.

A-Level

At A-Level, pupils follow the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The IELTS examination tests a student's ability to comprehend, write on and speak about a wide range of general topics including leisure activities, technology, the workplace and climate. IELTS is the English language qualification that is most recognised by British universities.