Our aim is simple: for all pupils to improve their English, be that for personal, professional or academic reasons, and above all to give them the confidence and ability to access all subjects through the medium of English.
Senior School
Years 9 – 11: EAL is offered instead of mainstream English where we feel the pupil might not cope with the English (subject) curriculum. They receive 6 lessons a week as part of their normal timetable.
Years 12 & 13: EAL is offered as an additional subject for those needing to get an English language qualification for university entry, or they simply want a certificate to take home at the end of their tenure with us. We provide 2 lessons a week and these are slotted into the pupils’ timetables during their study periods.
Additional lessons: If a pupil wants one-to-one lessons, the department will endeavour to provide this. One-to-one lessons will be approximately £30 per lesson.
Prep School
Reception – Year 8:
For overseas pupils joining the Prep School, they would follow the same curriculum as the rest of their peers. Where necessary, additional EAL support can be provided to further boost their language skills.
All Prep School pupils are encouraged to read as much as possible; this greatly benefits our overseas pupils by enhancing their vocabulary and helping them gain a better understanding of the different English language structures.
Cambridge English Qualifications
Pupils from Year 9 to 12 will typically be prepared for the Cambridge English Examinations. Those from Years 9 and 10 will usually be entered for Cambridge First, at B2 level of the Common European Framework of References for Languages, whereas pupils from Years 11 and 12 will usually sit Cambridge Advanced at the higher C1 level.
IGCSE
In addition, pupils in Year 11 are prepared for the Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language examination, which provides them with transferable skills to complement their other subjects.
IELTS
Some pupils in Years 12 and 13 prefer to prepare for the IELTS examination in English, focussing on academic skills.
The Head of EAL
Eleanor Dickson
Eleanor Dickson is Head of English as an Additional Language (EAL) at Framlingham College. Eleanor’s main role is to help overseas pupils improve their English language skills in order to allow them to better access the general curriculum and feel supported in understanding their subjects.
Eleanor grew up in Suffolk and then read French and Italian at Durham University. She taught both of these languages in the UK, after obtaining a PGCE, and then moved to Italy, where she taught English and French in Italian high schools. After several years she moved back to the UK with her husband and children. She loves learning languages, which means she is well-placed to understand the challenges EAL pupils face when studying at Framlingham. Eleanor’s other interests include cooking, especially traditional southern Italian dishes, history and architecture.
The EAL department provides international pupils with support and guidance in adapting to British culture and learning. The department works in tandem with the boarding house system to ensure that international pupils are known and nurtured throughout their time at the Senior School, and are able to grow to their full potential.
