Welcome to Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) Page
Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) course at IAS is designed to help non-native speakers fast-track their English learning process. We welcome students of all levels to join us, and the process starts with an interview and assessment by the EAL Program Coordinator. Based on the results, each student is placed in a group of peers with similar proficiency levels, ranging from CEFR levels A1 – B1+. Students need to have B2 proficiency or higher to access the full curriculum at IAS.
The focus of the program is to strengthen the students’ academic English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In addition to these core areas, the program includes lessons on English-speaking culture, as well as explicit grammar and vocabulary instruction.
The groups are taught by a team of skilled professionals, who spend 5–6 lessons per week with each group, which are generally no larger than 8 students. This small group setting allows for individualized attention and a quicker pace of progress, as well as a platform for all students to have their voices heard.
Note: Students attending the EAL program may not attend other language classes as a result of the intensive support they receive. The EAL instructors are advocates for English Language Learners (ELLs) and collaborate with subject teachers to provide them with tools and advice on how best to support the ELLs in their classes. Students in the EAL program are eligible for differentiated instruction in subject classes.
ESL in Focus
International schools, such as IAS, are known for embracing and celebrating diversity, but some parents may wonder if such diversity is reflected in the curriculum. They may be concerned about whether individual students’ strengths and weaknesses will be recognized and addressed in the classroom, whether the school will be able to accommodate varying levels of English proficiency, and whether support will be available for students with specialized needs like dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and anxiety.
IAS is dedicated to providing all students with equal opportunities for success, regardless of their personal learning profiles. That is why we have implemented differentiated instruction, which is a teaching approach that adapts the learning process to the individual needs of each student. Although the content of the subject courses remains the same, students will receive different levels of assistance and may use different approaches to achieve the same academic goals.
This approach ensures that each student has the support they need to succeed, regardless of their personal learning style.
Applications of Differentiated Instruction
- Using diverse visual, audio, text, and kinesthetic techniques to present ideas and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge.
- Providing students with at-level vocabulary and concept lists, ideally including clear illustrations.
- Encouraging group and pair work where students have skills that complement each other.
- Small focus groups to support students requiring additional help in a specific skill.
Boost Your Child’s English Skills with Summer Schools and Extra Classes!
We highly recommend that parents invest in their child’s English language learning by enrolling them in summer schools or extra classes outside of regular school hours. The more time and effort they dedicate to learning the language, the faster they can catch up and become part of the main academic curriculum.
It’s a great opportunity to fast-track their English acquisition and give them the best chance for academic success.
Contact us to learn more about available options.
