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English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The aim of the EAL department at Loughborough Grammar School is twofold:

  1. To enable our overseas students to improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing in English so that they can access the whole curriculum, participate fully in co-curricular activities and enjoy all the social and cultural opportunities on offer.
  2. To improve a boy’s English language skills as quickly as possible so that they can pass Cambridge and IELTS examinations and fulfil the language requirement for entrance to an English-speaking university.

Years 7-11

All boys starting at the School from overseas have an initial assessment carried out by a qualified EAL specialist and are given a level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Boys identified as in need of English support are taught in small groups throughout the week.

In Years 7-11 students work towards the Cambridge Suite of English Examinations at the following levels, as appropriate:

Key English Test (KET)A2
Preliminary English Test (PET)B1
First Certificate in English (FCE)B2
Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)C1

They work intensively on speaking, listening, reading, writing and grammar.  The boys are further encouraged to participate actively in all curriculum areas by asking and answering questions in class and by engaging in whole class, small group and paired discussions.

Cambridge English examinations are taken once a year in June.

Students in Year 10 and Year 11 who are receiving language support, study select GCSE subjects from a slightly reduced range of options.

Years 12 and 13

Boys starting in Year 12 have an initial assessment and are given a level on the CEFR which is equated to an IELTS score in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

The boys are taught in small groups throughout the week and the lessons have four clear goals:

  1. To improve students’ speaking and discussion skills – particularly vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, intonation and stress.
  2. To enable students to use the English learned to participate fully in their chosen A level lessons.
  3. To prepare students for IELTS examinations in speaking, listening, reading and writing which they take during their time in Years 12 and 13.
  4. To help students to perform to the best of their ability in university interviews.

Students take IELTS exams at a local centre during term time or in their home country during vacations.  They aim for an overall band score of 6.5 or higher which will enable them to access most courses at most universities in any English-speaking country, subject to other academic requirements such as A level grades.

For further information, please contact our EAL Coordinator, Anne-Marie Slater on a.slater@lsf.org