English-as-an-Additional Language

The English-as-an-Additional Language Program at TASIS England is based on the philosophy that students have an immediate need to acquire specific academic English skills which will benefit them in their classes. This philosophy further assumes that a great deal of English is acquired through students’ social interaction in the wider school community, and that the purpose of EAL classes is to foster correct usage of this, in both its spoken and written forms. The overall purpose of EAL classes, then, is to build and develop English skills for academic purposes, while at the same time encouraging students to monitor and improve their wider use of the target language. Department requirement: Satisfactory completion of EAL 3. EAL 1 & EAL Support Class 1 Credit This is a course designed for students who have studied some English for a minimum of one year and who have a grasp of the basic grammatical structures of the language. The aim of the course is to take these students quickly from a basic level of English competency to an intermediate level in one school year. To help accelerate their progress, students of EAL 1 benefit from the addition of an EAL Support Class, which meets four times every week and provides an opportunity for students to access EAL support with their other classes under the guidance of an Upper School EAL specialist. By the end of the course, students should be able to read unabridged texts in English, write clear, organized compositions of various types, and communicate effectively in the English language. All aspects of the language (reading comprehension, writing skills, listening comprehension, and oral communication) are stressed. Prerequisite: Suitable score on the English placement test. EAL 2 1 Credit This is a course for students who have a good competency in English but who need to expand their vocabulary, increase their knowledge of the grammatical structures of the language, and perfect their writing and reading skills. The aim of the course is to take students from an intermediate level of competency to an advanced level. The overall objective of the course is to move students toward the proficiency needed to complete mainstream academic work in high school and university. Prerequisite: Successful completion of EAL 1 or a suitable score on the English placement test. EAL 3 1 Credit This course is for students of near-native fluency who need to perfect certain aspects of their English language. The course focuses on expanding vocabulary, increasing the range and scope of students’ written expression, and exploring the more difficult areas of English grammar. It is assumed that basic skills have been acquired, and the focus will be on more complex structures, skills, and strategies. The overall objective of the course is to prepare students for mainstream academic work in high school and college. Prerequisite: Successful completion of EAL 2 or a suitable score on the English placement test. EAL 4 Advanced Composition and Grammar 1 Credit This course is designed for those non-native English-speaking students who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in English but who still need guidance in developing their literacy skills. The primary emphasis is on written expression, as well as more complex structures, skills, and strategies used in academic reading and writing. The ultimate goal is to raise the students’ level of composition skills to that required for success in American and British colleges and universities. Prerequisite: Successful completion of EAL 3 or a suitable score on the English placement test.