English as an Additional Language is for students whose native language is not English. We enhance their language and cultural development. They gain the confidence to succeed academically in an English educational environment.
Our Sixth Form EAL provision focuses on supporting non-native students with their ongoing English language development. This is to help them achieve academic success at Brentwood School and to maximise their own personal development in an English-speaking environment. Entry to the School requires an equivalent IELTS score of 5.5. The EAL department also assists individuals with subject-specific support wherever necessary and aims to fully develop the linguistic ability of all before they enter higher education. This applies to all Sixth Form students, regardless of whether they are studying the IB or A Level programmes.
IB students follow a Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) exam preparation course. The content of this study programme is ideal for developing both language skills and systems, and enables students to a gain a strong control of syntax. The CAE course also develops important writing skills, such as structure development, topic cohesion and use of style and register.
Non-IB students follow an IELTS Preparation course, which is the alternative route for university entry. On this course, they will develop individual language skills as well as academic writing skills, such as style and register. Students are also expected to develop an awareness and understanding of current global issues that are prevalent in the 21st Century world.
Congratulations to the EAL singers for their carol-singing at the Boarders’ Christmas Dinner. This helped to entertain the boarding community during the meal. In addition to our singers, we also had musical accompaniment from our gifted musicians in School House. Praise, in particular, goes to Teddy and Alena for their organisation of this.
“My daughter has become much more confident in herself, she is able to converse and hold a conversation with people about lots of different topics.”
Parent
Curriculum
To view the EAL curriculum please click here.
Department Staff
Mr Charles Berkley
Head of EAL
Mr Berkley runs the EAL department having previously taught in Italy and South Korea for the British Council. As well as having an affinity for teaching the IELTS preparation course, Mr Berkley is also a keen proponent of phonology and helping students to fine tune their pronunciation.
Mr Bruce Clements
Mr Clements is a part-time teacher in the EAL department. As a diploma qualified EAL teacher, he has a strong grasp of up-to-date methodology in TEFL. He is also known for his quirky, but entertaining style of teaching.
Mrs Liz Fisher
Mrs Fisher teaches part-time in the EAL department. By nature she is highly organised and meticulous in priming students for exam courses - the Cambridge Advanced English examination in particular. She has also taught English in Germany.