Welcoming International Students

At All Hallows we have a number of pupils whose first language is not English and we offer these children English as an Additional Language (EAL) to enhance their learning.  The EAL teaching is vibrant, relevant and stimulating and is an essential ingredient in the child’s overall development during their time here. 

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Each individual child is welcomed and helped to feel as positive and integrated as possible from their very first day at All Hallows.  Support with both spoken and written English is crucial to this period of adjustment.  Continued support and additional tuition enables the child to gain in confidence and make the very most of their experience in England.  It is imperative that any child is supported across the myriad opportunities on offer and, consequently, the EAL staff are heavily involved in the pastoral and all other aspects of school life.

For those whose English speaking skills are not notably advanced and who we consider would benefit from extra tuition, we set up specific EAL classes in the early weeks.  The extra tuition enables them to cope with the language content in all subject areas of the curriculum. The ongoing needs of each child are assessed on a regular basis, resulting in regular individual or small group tuition.  

Where appropriate, overseas pupils will have the option to sit an end of year external Cambridge English exam so that, in addition to improving their spoken English, the children return to their native countries with some recognition of their achievements.  There are 3 levels (KET, PET & FCE) and, as the academic year concludes, the intensity of their preparation for their appropriate exam (decided prior to the Summer Term) will increase.  All the exams test the four basic skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), plus an ‘English in Use’ section which tests grammar and vocabulary.

The charge for EAL lessons with a specialist tutor is published in our Schedule of Fees and is based upon a minimum of two hours individual tuition per week and small group language classes, as well as additional personalised pastoral support.