Language Support
English as an Additional Language
The English as an Additional Language Department (EAL) supports students whose first language is one other than English. The department offers a safe and stimulating learning environment where students can gain the skills and confidence to use English for social and academic purposes. It aims to provide a welcoming and familiar space where students can feel confident, safe and enjoy their learning in a stimulating environment during their transition to a new school and a new language.
Upon arrival at St. Julian’s, each student is given an individual learning plan according to their specific language needs. These plans include EAL lessons, covering language skills, grammar, and vocabulary, as well as content-based learning to prepare for and support mainstream subjects. Language lessons may be held in small groups or one-to-one where students learn to work collaboratively and independently. The school aims to integrate students into the mainstream curriculum as soon as possible, and EAL staff may provide in-class support to ease this transition.
IGCSE English as a Second Language is offered as an alternative for students who have been educated in English for a relatively short period. The syllabus develops the ability to use English effectively in a variety of contexts and equips the students with broader skills.
These include:
- Selecting and analysing material
- Summarising and note-taking
- Narrative
- Descriptive
- Personal and review writing
- Presenting arguments
- Giving advice and opinions
St. Julian’s celebrates the diversity of nationalities and cultures present in the student body, and values the contribution that EAL students make to the school community. The department works hard to raise students’ awareness of, and respect for, other countries, cultures and religions.
Portuguese as a Foreign Language
Being a British School in Portugal, St. Julian’s welcomes students from more than 60 different countries. Students who are new to the Portuguese language or who have limited experience of Portuguese, are assessed and provided with intensive, small-group language teaching.
Portuguese as a Foreign Language is an important key of St Julian's multicultural community.
The size of the groups enables students to take risks in their learning and feel comfortable to make mistakes. Our aim is to stimulate collaborative, challenging and individual learning opportunities. Our students learn from each other and bring their own Portuguese, daily experiences into the lessons transforming their learning into an authentic interchange.
Students arriving with some knowledge of Portuguese learn in groups appropriate to their level of Portuguese. The groups are regularly assessed and are flexible. The changing group compositions give rise to new ideas and opportunities for change, both for the whole group and for each individual student.
All class teachers know our multilingual students' particular challenges and how best to support their learning and adapt school resources to help them enjoy their learning in a stimulating environment.
Our aim is to enable students to integrate fully into our Portuguese classroom activities as quickly as possible.
Staff are available at parent consultations or by appointment. St. Julian’s believes that a close working relationship with the parents can help the students learn Portuguese quickly and effectively.
