English as an Additional Language
EAL (English as an Additional Language) supports pupils whose first language is not English. This support is aimed to help them access the curriculum and develop their study skills in English in order to integrate fully into the school’s academic life. It may include some formal EAL teaching of grammar and language skills.
Hi! Hola! Ciao! Привет! Guiss 你好 こんにちは สวัสดี
안녕하세요
Thank-you for looking at the English as an Additional Language (EAL) section of King's website.
If you've got this far it's because you are looking to experience the rich and diverse English education system and improve your English at the same time.
At King's you can do both and much, much more.
We expect you to work hard and play hard, and with 70 teachers in a relatively small school, assessments grading both your effort and academic progress every month and a tutor system to guide you or chide you, we make sure all our students achieve their potential.
Our EAL methodology and timetabling are necessarily very flexible to take into account the wide range of different educational backgrounds and expectations of our pupils, different levels of abilities, different linguistic needs, and the dynamics of classes, small groups and individual teaching. We do our best to make our lessons contain pace, variety and challenge, encourage active and independent learning by our pupils and ensure they are appropriately differentiated. You'll be taught by a team of experienced and well-qualified teachers. The Head of Department has 20 years experience and is finishing her Masters in TESOL (Teaching English as a Foreign or Other Language) at Bath University.
We hope that when you have finished reading about us you can tell that our international students form part of the main student body by being fully integrated into the boarding houses and classes. We have had a lot of practice and value the experiences and cultures you bring to enrich our school and make it a more diverse place.
What and how you will learn
Year 9 (3rd Form) Ages 13-14 (see the main site for more details on 3rd form subjects)
Pupils will go into 3rd Form classes and study along side the English pupils. You will have the full range of subjects to choose from; Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, ICT, Art, Design and Technology, Drama, French, Home Economics, Music and of course, English Literature and Language. International students are usually prepared for the Cambridge First Certificate examination, or other international recognised language examinations. Extra classes can be arranged individually or in small groups for any period of time if the pupil feels they need extra support at any time during the year. We aim to be flexible and can timetable lessons to suit the pupils' needs.
Kevin joined us having studied at a nearby language school to bring his written English up to the level we require. He attends four individual lessons with his EAL teacher who supports his subjects and prepares him for the First Certificate which he will be sitting in June.
Victoria joined us for the summer term only to improve her spoken and written English. Her English level is sufficient to allow her to attend all classes with the option of additional EAL lessons.
Year 10 (4th Form) Ages 14-15 (see the main site for more details on 4th form subjects)
4th Form is the beginning of the two year GCSE course. (General Certificate in Secondary Education). Pupils will choose up to eleven subjects including English Literature and Language. Some pupils feel they are better suited to study the IGCSE ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) examination and so will be taught by the EAL Department.
José joined us in 3rd Form from an English prep school and is now studying for eight GCSEs. His level of English is high so he comes to the EAL Department for one lesson a week to support his other subjects.
Year 11 (5th Form) Ages 15-16
Pupils entering the second year of the GCSE course may sit some of the examinations, however much will be depend on progress throughout the academic year. They will still be entered for Cambridge English examinations, such as Cambridge First Certificate.
Michaela was initially going to stay for two terms but enjoyed herself so much, as well as making significant progress in all areas, has decided to stay for the full academic year and sit some examinations in the summer.
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr Suess
Sixth Form - one or two year course
Pupils entering the two year Sixth Form will be sitting the AS Level at the end of the first year, Lower Sixth, and if they pass their AS subjects, will continue into the Upper Sixth where they will complete the course by sitting the A2 level examinations. Successful completion of the Sixth Form could lead to gaining a place at a British university. (See below for details on higher education advice and final destinations of International Students.)
The EAL Dept is set up to support your subjects, be it Business Studies or Geography, by focusing on your academic writing skills, expanding your subject specific vocabulary whilst encouraging you to learn some key study skills to make you a more effective learner in your second language.
We will also help you to pass important International recognised English language examinations, e.g. IELTS, which you need when you go back home or will require for your visa if you wish to continue your studies to an English speaking university.
Anna has been with King's since 3rd Form. She successfully completed her GCSEs and is now planning to take four AS Levels in the summer. She has already attended an 'Open Day' at a British University with a view to continuing in the education system.
Mary came to King's two years ago and studied in the fourth form. She is now back and planning on studying for the two year A'Level course.
Gleb joined the Sixth Form straight from his home country, having visited the school prior to accepting an offer of a place. He is planning on staying for one year with the option of extending his studies to the full two years.
Next Step - How to apply
Email our Registrar, Mrs Camilla Oulton, and she'll send you our prospectus and forms. (registrar@kingsbruton.com)
Moving on and destinations
We have dedicated Higher Education and Careers Advisors who will assist with all the options available to you to continue your studies after your time at King's. We also hold an annual Careers Convention at school where more than thirty experts and former pupils are on hand to pass on advice and experience about the world of work.
In 2010 93% of all the Upper Sixth achieved places at their chosen university and destinations for our international students included: UCL, Imperial, LSE, Warwick, Reading, St Andrews, Kent, Royal Holloway and Surrey.
Andrea Maistrello, Head of EAL
EAL Staff
Andrea Maistrello
My name is Mrs Andrea Maistrello and I am Head of EAL, (English as an Additional Language) and the U6th Tutor for Arion House . I have been teaching pupils whose second language is English since 1991 in: Italy, Portugal, Germany, Finland and Sweden, and have been at King's since 2006. In addition to teaching and planning courses the department liaises closely with all the subject teachers and pastoral staff to ensure that our international students are making progress. I am finishing a Master's degree in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language) at Bath University.
Charlotte Smith
Charlotte holds a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages, a MSc in Environmental Issues in Latin America, a PGCE in Modern Languages and a CELTA English teaching certificate. Charlotte joined King’s School in September 2011 and is currently teaching 3rd and 5th form French and Spanish, as well as EAL to 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th forms. Many of these classes are in preparation for exams such as GCSE, IGCSE, FCE and IELTS.
