EAL (ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE)

English Is Not Your First Language? You’re in the Right Place.

At Zoe International School, many of our students come from multilingual homes and diverse cultural backgrounds. We celebrate this diversity and are committed to helping every student grow into confident, capable English communicators.

Our academic program is fully teacher-led, with structured instruction in every subject. Within this framework, we provide intentional language support, targeted intervention, and structured catch-up opportunities to help students strengthen their English skills while meeting grade-level expectations.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s English level, we encourage you to share them during the application process so we can best support your family from the beginning.

EAL Support at Zoe

EAL support may be provided in two ways, depending on a student’s needs:

In-School EAL Support

Some students receive English language support during the school day. This may include small-group instruction, targeted language development sessions, or additional support integrated within core academic subjects. The goal is to strengthen English skills while ensuring students can fully engage in their regular classroom learning.

After School EAL Program

For students who require additional support beyond the regular school day, we offer an After School EAL Program. This provides focused, small-group instruction designed to accelerate English development and build academic confidence.

Placement in In-School or After School EAL is determined through the admissions process and ongoing school-based assessments.

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How We Assess English Proficiency

We use recognized English language assessments and internal evaluations to determine a student’s proficiency level. These assessments evaluate the four key domains of language development:

  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing

We may also consider results from internationally recognized English examinations when available.

Based on assessment results, students may fall into one of three general categories:

  • Operating at grade level
  • Extra support recommended
  • Additional support required

In some cases, admission may be conditional upon participation in additional English language support (fees may apply depending on the type of support required). If the school is unable to meet a student’s language needs, the application may not be approved. All such decisions are made by the Admissions Team in consultation with parents.

Program Approach

EAL instruction at Zoe focuses on:

  • Academic vocabulary development
  • Reading comprehension strategies
  • Structured writing development
  • Confident speaking and listening skills
  • Support for subject-specific language in core classes

Instruction is delivered in a supportive, small-group setting and aligned with international English standards. Regular feedback is provided to families regarding student progress.

Who Can Enroll?

EAL support is primarily available to Zoe International School students.
After School EAL classes may also be open to school-aged students from the wider community, depending on availability. Priority enrollment is given to Zoe students when spaces are limited.

Student Progression

Students advance as they demonstrate measurable growth in English proficiency and are able to engage independently and confidently with grade-level academic expectations.

Students may exit EAL support once they show sufficient English proficiency to participate fully in their regular academic program.

At Zoe International School, our goal is not simply language acquisition — it is confident participation, academic success, and meaningful communication. We are committed to walking alongside each student as they grow in their English journey.