EAL at Sibford School
Welcome
Welcome to Sibford School’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department, We hope that you will find this brochure helpful and that it will answer many of your questions.
If you like what you read the next step to securing a place here at Sibford is to contact our admissions department. A written test will need to be completed followed by an online interview via Teams. This will give us an opportunity to meet you and establish your level of English on which we will need to build.
If you have the opportunity to come and visit us, then even better. You will be able to look around, meet the staff and students and see for yourself what a wonderful place Sibford School is to improve your English and gain a valuable education.
We look forward to hearing from you in the near future but should you have any further questions that are not covered in this brochure then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Jo Mayes Head of EAL
Sibford has a dedicated Learning Development Centre staffed by caring, professional and experienced staff who work tirelessly, not only to provide high-level English language training, but also to support students as individuals and members of the wider school Community and to help them to realise their full potential.
Contact us
For further information about Sibford Learning Development Centre, to book an online interview or to arrange a visit please contact: admissions@sibfordschool.co.uk. +44 (0) 1295 781203
Why come to Sibford School
‘A language school in a boarding school setting.’
English is the most commonly spoken language in the world and at Sibford School we have a passion for helping overseas pupils to learn and perfect their language skills.
We have a truly dedicated, caring, professional and experienced EAL Department that offers students first-class learning conditions in small groups allowing for maximum teacher input and positive relationship building. We support our learners both as individuals and members of the community, work to help them improve their English, succeed in other subjects, blossom in the wider school and to realise their full potential.
The help you receive from us is twofold. Firstly with English Language training not only will we help you get that all important IELTS score necessary to enter the UK University of your choice but perhaps more importantly, we also help you to acquire as much language as possible to enable you to cope in the real world once you have left Sibford. This means working on all key skills: grammar, reading, speaking, listening, pronunciation and vocabulary using a combination of conventional and online teaching techniques.
Secondly we will provide personal support for you as an individual. Offering assistance with things such as police registration, choosing the right university course, visa applications and study skills. Our EAL team work tirelessly to assist you and with pastoral issues and to help with any question or problem you may have across the wider school setting.
Coming to join a school in the UK is a big move and it is important that you choose the right place, after all you could be here for a number of years.
Sibford School is located in a tranquil, safe, rural setting in the heart of England but at the same time close to Oxford and London. We limit our intake of overseas pupils to 12% of the school population, which means that we can offer you a genuine English Boarding School experience.
We think that Sibford School could just be the place that you are looking for but don’t just take our word for it, see what our students have to say…
What our students say…
Shin, Year 13
The EAL department at Sibford has helped me a lot with my English, not only for my academic subjects but also everyday English.
When I first came to the UK, I was in Year 11 and studied on the Intensive English Course. I couldn’t understand a single word anybody said to me. The Intensive English Course consists of English classes every day and also other more relaxing subjects like cooking and textiles. We learn the basic grammar and vocabulary but also about life in the UK, the history and the culture of the country. These lessons make it easier for us to adapt to a new school system and a new country.
After completing the Intensive English Course, my English was good enough for me to begin my A Level studies. I take art, design technology and maths which means I have to write long assignments. My EAL teachers help me with this. We are also preparing for the IELTS exam which we need if we are to go to university in the UK.
Apart from learning English, the EAL department also organises trips for EAL students so we can learn more about the country’s history and culture. Last year we went to Warwick Castle, The Black Country Living Museum and even had a day at a theme park. I was also lucky enough to go on the fine art field trip to Venice.
Qi, Year 11
My name is Qi. I come from China and am now studying GCSEs and EAL course at Sibford School.
Ever since my first day at Sibford, I have always been surrounded by nice people. This school, especially in EAL, has really made me feel at home. Therefore, I never felt homesick. Though sometimes I found it difficult to understand the lessons and to communicate with other English people, the teachers here always have a great deal of patience with me and all of them have been extremely supportive in all my subjects.
In EAL, we focus on English grammar and practise listening, writing and speaking a lot. Although those things may sound boring, our lessons have never been dull. We talk about a wide range of topics in the lesson and the teachers introduce loads of interesting English culture to us, and without noticing, your English will improve gradually!
Now, I’m going to study English literature for A Level, which is something I wouldn’t imagine before. With all the support and help from my teachers, this dream is now coming true.
Lastly, I want to say a heartfelt thanks to everyone in this school. Sibford School would certainly be a good choice for you all.
An introduction to our courses
We strongly believe everyone can learn English to a sound intermediate level with the right approach to suit the individual student. Our highly qualified staff are experts at building a rapport with our students and form relationships based on respect and understanding.
This is key to enabling our students to feel supported and lays the foundation to their language success by utilizing the important learning resource – the experiences, thoughts and feelings of both the students and their teachers. Although specific courses are followed, there is space in the timetable to adapt the time to create bespoke lessons to suit the needs of the small classes, whom our team know so well.
The majority of our international boarding places are for senior school pupils, however we can in some circumstances accept Junior Scholl boarders in Year 6 and EAL lessons can be provided.
The majority of our international bozrding places are for Senior School pupils, however we can, in some cases circumstances accept Junior School boarder in Year 6.
Intensive English Course
This course is for students who need to improve their English language before joining Years 10 (pre GCSE courses) or Sixth Form (pre A Levels).
The Intensive English Course is designed to give the students a thorough grounding in the English language and the core skills needed to progress to a strong intermediate level. They are taught by highly qualified and experienced staff using a range of teaching styles and this Intensive year will not only improve their English Skills but develop their confidence as a member of our community. Thus when their level is sufficient to join the mainstream course here, they will be well adapted.
In addition to EAL lessons other subjects are studied, commonly: maths ( in which they will have an opportunity to take the GCSE if their maths level is adequate) physical education, art, food nutrition, music, media and English Through Books and Film. It is our aim to introduce students to more practical subjects which will enable them to use their language and experience subjects which may be new to them. They will be able to integrate with the school through joining a mainstream tutor group, PE and games lessons, after school activities and in the boarding house.
Courses are chosen to suit the students’ level with class books, workbooks, online materials and accompanying readers. The lessons use varied teaching techniques and cover the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking and students broaden their vocabulary and understanding of grammar incrementally.
Successful completion of this course should lead to the commencement of GCSE or A Level courses. However, this course may also be of interest to students wanting to improve their language before beginning a Foundation course at university.
Mainstream lessons with EAL support
This part of the provision is for students who wish to follow the British curriculum and at the same time improve their language skills.
The ultimate aim of most international students is to have a British education and gain recognised British qualifications. For students with an elementary English and above, the mainstream school timetable with EAL is the best option.
Students will be taught using a course which will build on their particular level, focusing on the reading, listening, writing and speaking skills. They will broaden your vocabulary and understanding of grammatical structures and enjoy fun, communicative activities in class. In Year 11 students are given the opportunity to be entered for the IGCSE in ESL (English as Second Language).
EAL students who study mainstream subjects benefit from total immersion in the language both academically and socially – learning in English and forging friendships with English classmates.
EAL lessons make up around 25% of the weekly timetable.
Entry requirements
• For students entering in years 7 – 9 (age 11 – 13): English should be at least Elementary
• For students entering in years 10 – 11 (age 14 – 15): English should be at least Intermediate Level.
IELTS preparation course
Entry requirement: A strong, intermediate level of English.
This course is for students who are following A Level courses as members of our Sixth Form. The IELTS examination is necessary for any international student who plans to study at a British university.
The primary aim of this course is to prepare our students with the necessary language and techniques to achieve an acceptable test score in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
The course uses the latest IELTS course books and through discussion and analysis, enhanced with tailor-made materials adapted from current periodicals and journals, all demands of the test are met. As the reading and writing parts of the test are particularly challenging, not being merely a language test, this approach allows the student to more fully appreciate every day and world issues. This is crucial for attaining an acceptable test score. It also allows the students to expand their overall English language skills.
Where possible our students will achieve a satisfactory IELTS score in Year 12. In Year 13 they may then progress their English even further by being taught towards the higher and prestigious Cambridge Certificate in Advance English (CAE) - an advanced English qualification for both university and working life. Success in this exam will earn UCAS points which will enhance university applications.
Beyond the classroom
Whilst a great deal of learning takes place within the EAL classrooms, so much happens beyond them too.
Our international students are seen as valuable members of the community who are welcomed, integrated and appreciated. The EAL team do all we can to help this process and to support the students in making new friends, trying new hobbies and participating fully in extra-curricular activities.
In recent times our international students have represented the school in various sports (including the highly successful rugby team) taken part in school plays (both acting and carrying out roles behind the scenes), performed in music concerts and represented the school in various science and maths challenges.
Many students play an active role in the boarding house or on school committees in addition to mentoring new students and ensuring they are welcomed and make friends quickly.
Although we expect our students to integrate fully in the wider school, we do have an EAL Educational Excursion every term, where we visit local places of cultural interest as a closed group. The common language on the excursion will be English and it is worth noting that the experience our students gain by communicating in English with other non-native speakers is invaluable and can often provide them with advantages over native speakers.
Hamid arrived at Sibford with little English, but two years later starred as Theseus in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
We believe it is important to understand the culture that goes with the language and so these excursions form a key part of our courses and help the students gain deeper understanding as well as space for personal reflection and sharing of their own cultures.
Recent excursions have included: Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxford Botanical Gardens, Warwick Castle, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Blenheim Palace, Warner Brothers Studio Tour (Harry Potter), The Lion King (musical in London’s West End), Oxford University and our annual trip to a local Chinese restaurant to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Boarding at Sibford
Sibford has a newly refurbished boarding house which offers a warm and friendly home-from home for both international students and UK students who choose to board on a full, weekly or flexi-basis.
Within the boarding houses, international diversity is celebrated and shared. While English is the common language used, students engage with each other’s native language, food and traditions as part of daily life which, in turn, helps them to mature into thoughtful, global citizens.
House Parents live at either end of the boarding houses and get to know our boarders well, and like parents they try to keep informed of their progress at school whilst also giving them a secure home to retreat to from the pressures of academic work.
Sixth Form boarders are given more independence than the younger boarders which helps provide an excellent foundation for university life. Where possible, boarders are given their own room with private study space.
The final word
Melvin, Year 13. “ESOL lessons are interesting lessons, which gave me lots of help for the IELTS test. The ESOL teachers are nice and kind; when I am confused or misunderstand something, they are patient and explain things clearly to me. The ESOL teachers have rich teaching experience, they can explain the difficult grammar and vocabulary in a clear and simple way to me, which is helpful.”
Rita Y, Year 12. “Sibford is a very good school with a good environment and excellent learning atmosphere. During my two years here, I have received a high-quality education, which has helped with my studies, especially my ESOL class. The ESOL department helps international students quickly get used to the foreign language learning environment. The ESOL teachers are well-trained and give a lot of attention to students. They know exactly what each students strengths and weaknesses are, and put effort into improving our language skills.
Jason, Year 9. “l remember the first time I came to this school, l couldn’t even speak English or do anything. When I met my ESOL teacher, all my problems were solved. They are really kind and spent a lot of time helping us improve our English. We talk about whatever we want and we have lots of fun in our lessons. Maybe this is the best teacher I have met in the whole Milky Way. After 18 months my English has come on really well. I can now do the other lessons well too and am able to do most things on my own. I have lots of English friends and am very happy here.”
Rita W, Year 12. “I came to Sibford one and half years ago. I can tell you this school’s food is the best. Also Sibford has a unique ESOL department. It helps the international students to learn and improve their English, especially with the IELTS. Sibford’s ESOL teachers are fantastic. They teach seriously and meticulously; they will correct your pronunciation. They are very kind, friendly and easy to talk to. They use a more simple way to let you understand the lessons. Our learning atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Sometimes we have ESOL trips and visit interesting places in England.”
Sibford School
Tel: +44 (0)1295 7781203. admissions@sibfordschool.co.uk