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At BSB Shunyi, we believe that multilingualism is a huge asset – for a student, for our school, and for society.
We proudly welcome learners from around the world into our community, including many for whom English isn’t their first language. But how do we ensure these students are able to access our curriculum, which is taught in English? And how can we help them integrate into school life?
In this blog, we explain how our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme accelerates our learners’ language acquisition – and ensures everyone feels included and inspired.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) is the term given to a specialist programme that provides targeted English language support to students.
The aim of EAL in schools is to make sure that every child has the English skills they need for academic excellence and/or social integration in an English-speaking environment. EAL is more than basic language instruction, however; it integrates language support within the curriculum to ensure that students can actively participate and succeed in each subject.
Helping students develop their English language skills brings so many benefits, both for the individual and our school community. These include:
Academic success: Our curriculum is taught in English, so students who aren't proficient may struggle to understand lessons and complete their assignments. In-school EAL support bridges this gap, ensuring all learners can participate in their education and succeed academically.
Social integration: EAL support helps students communicate with their peers and teachers. It promotes social integration and reduces feelings of isolation, enabling learners to make friends and feel connected to our community.
Language development: Our programme focuses on both language acquisition and proficiency. This helps students to build a strong foundation in English, which will benefit them now and in the future.
Cultural diversity: Our school’s EAL programme celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity. Supporting students from different backgrounds enriches our environment, fostering a sense of inclusion and respect for different cultures.
Long-term benefits: Gaining English proficiency opens doors to higher education, career opportunities, and a wider social network. It prepares students for success in an English-speaking world, whether they remain in China or move overseas.
Equality and equity: EAL support ensures all students, regardless of their first language, have equal access to education and the same opportunities to succeed. Without this support, students could fall behind due to language barriers.
As part of our admissions process, we assess prospective students’ English proficiency. Assessments are age-appropriate and evaluate language skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Following assessment and enrolment, children who need additional language support are placed on an EAL programme. These programmes are personalised to an individual’s needs, level, and age, with a clear pathway that ensures they can fully access our English curriculum.
One-on-one tutoring: Personalised sessions focus on a student’s specific language challenges, offering targeted help in areas like grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Small group sessions: EAL learners with similar proficiency levels work together in smaller classes, enabling interactive learning and peer support.
Integrated learning: EAL students attend subject classes but receive additional language support from our English as an Additional Language specialists, who work with subject teachers to adapt lessons. Our EAL colleagues also help learners to access subject content ‘in the moment’, for example by clarifying instructions, supporting students to read a book, or by helping learners to articulate their thoughts.
English as an Additional Language support at BSB Shunyi is about more than just accessing the academic curriculum. We know that school is a place for building friendships, developing interests and growing in independence, as well as achieving fantastic results.
Some of our learners do, therefore, need help to develop their general communication skills in English. Building our students’ confidence is particularly important, both in and outside of the classroom. Our EAL specialists prioritise the development of conversational and ‘essential’ language skills. This helps students to quickly integrate into our community.
Our English as an Additional Language programme’s effectiveness, combined with our immersive English-speaking environment, ensures new students pick up the language incredibly quickly.
Delivered from a dedicated EAL Hub building, our programme is also woven into the fabric of school life. It’s much more than a learning support programme; it’s an inclusive approach that ensures every student feels part of the community. Our EAL support provides a framework that builds confidence, facilitates academic success, and prepares students for a bright, global future.
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To find out more about the English as an Additional Language programme at BSB Shunyi, you can speak with our Admissions team who can connect you with our EAL team directly: admissions@bsbshunyi.com