EAL at Ampleforth
Ampleforth College is not a Language School and students accepted for entry must be able to manage the normal academic curriculum of the school. However, we do provide support for those students for whom English is not their first language. On entry to the school, all overseas students are given an English Language test. Depending on the results of these tests, students who need EAL attend EAL lessons instead of mainstream English. Students in the Sixth form, Years 12 and 13, who score below a certain level in the test must take EAL as one of their options so that they have the necessary support for their other subjects and can achieve the necessary level and qualifications for university in the UK, if applicable. At all levels, students studying EAL are in small groups of between three and ten. In Year 9 the groups are usually mixed ability but in the other years the groups are set by ability. EAL lessons are charged as an extra.
The normal allocation of classes is five 65min lessons per two week cycle plus a double lesson outside the timetable for students in Years 9, 10 and 11. This additional session, supervised by a member of the EAL department, is a time when students can receive guidance and help with their individual language difficulties.
The courses followed are aimed at improving student's standard of English whilst enhancing their appreciation of British culture. Literature in English is also studied, albeit at times in a simplified version.
There is an extensive EAL section in the College Library, with a wide selection of simplified readers and other books. Many of them are English classics and students are given guidance and advice about appropriate books to read. In the Middle School (Years 9-11) some time is spent in class reading.