E.S.O.L. (English for Overseas Students)
Aims· To develop speaking and listening skills so that students can take a full part in their normal lessons, both in understanding and
communicating ideas.
· To develop reading and writing skills to support the work being done in mainstream classes.
· To raise grammatical self-awareness.
· To raise vocabulary levels across the curriculum.
· To encourage students to make use of the ESOL library.
· To help with coursework and other class assignments where linguistic weakness has restricted understanding.
· To prepare students for national ESOL exams.
· To enable students to participate fully in the life of the school.
· To foster an awareness of English culture in its various manifestations.
The Faculty
The department has two good size adjoining rooms in the Kingston block. There are two members of staff, Stephen Baker and Rosemary Edney. Rosemary also works in the boarding and is therefore able to keep a close eye on the overseas students during the evening prep. The facilities compare very favourably with those on offer in neighbouring independent schools.
The Classroom
Classroom activity might highlight a target structure that is causing problems. This would be taught and tested in a variety of situations with maybe an appropriate piece of extended writing set for homework. Alternatively the class may start with a text input out of which may flow a range of speaking, listening, reading and writing exercises, some of which may be set for prep. If a cross-curricular issue has arisen such as a lack of specialist vocabulary or a failure to understand a particular text, then this can be covered in particular lesson.
First draft compositions will be completed and marked in exercise books and a second improved version will be done on computer. Material from various ESOL websites will be used from time to time.
In Years 7-9, teaching is done in small groups of one, two or three students where they are prepared for the Cambridge Preliminary English Test. In Years 10-11, ESOL is taught in groups of half a dozen and is offered as an exam option where students are prepared for the Cambridge First Certificate and the Edexcel IGCSE exam. In the sixth form students the class sizes are similar and students are prepared for the IELTS exam alongside their other A-level courses.
The main course books are the New Headway Elementary, Headway Pre-Intermediate, Headway Intermediate and the Headway Pre-Advanced supported by a range of readers from the ESOL library. The text for Literature support in Years 10 and 11 is EFL Extracts. The main grammar books are Elementary Recycling, Intermediate Recycling and Recycling.
Extra Curricular Activities
Students are encouraged to play a full role in school life, in school sports (especially squash), in drama, in public speaking competitions, taking part in school assemblies etc. Such participations enables students to mature as individuals and heightens their cultural awareness. There are also opportunities to learn more of the British cultural scene and political system. For example every year we invite the member of parliament for Yeovil, David Laws, to visit the school and talk about his work. Every two years there is a sixth form trip to the houses of parliament in London.
Pastoral Care
The department realises that overseas students may have particular issues relating to attending school in a different country from where their parents live. The ESOL rooms are available during the day for private study. Both staff have had experience of living, visiting and working in other countries, Stephen in Zambia and Rosemary in Russia and are available for general support and counselling, should the need arise.
Contact
The Head of Department would be happy to respond to further enquiries on stephen.baker4@virgin.net
Stephen Baker M.A. PGCSE
