The English Department at Stowe School aims fully to develop each pupil's confidence and competence in speaking and listening, reading and writing, stressing the importance of fluency and the precise use of language in both spoken and written English. Teachers in the Department foster the taste and critical judgement of their pupils by encouraging the enjoyment and analysis of a wide variety of written, spoken and visual texts. Head of English: Nicola Borman
There is provision for pupils who do not have English as their first language, which is coordinated through the EAL Department. The aims of the department are:
* To provide pupils with the necessary language skills to access fully the school curriculum at GCSE and A level by improving the standard of students’ general English in all key skills.
* To prepare pupils for external examinations including the IGCSE in English as a Second Language/CAE/ IELTS/TOEFL/CPE/PTE (*see key) and to facilitate university entry.
* To provide subject-specific support to pupils in their chosen GCSE and A Level subjects where appropriate.
Initial assessments for EAL students help to determine the level of support required. Assessment data is used to inform decisions about classroom management and curriculum planning. In cases where EAL and SEND are connected, the Head of EAL will liaise with Head of Skills/subject teachers where necessary to set targets and plan appropriate work. Relevant information on pupils with EAL is accessible by all staff on the School database.
In the Lower School, Stoics have the opportunity to follow courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) tailored to their individual needs. Some pupils study for the IGCSE in English as a Second Language as one of their main GCSE options or as an additional GCSE subject. International sixth formers may need to be prepared for the IELTS/TOEFL examinations (or equivalent qualifications) in order to meet university entrance criteria. Courses in general English and academic writing are also available, as well as English language support for subject-specific areas.
The EAL Department encourages close links with all academic departments, the library, the boarding houses and tutors in order to monitor the progress of individual students and to ensure that the EAL programmes are tailored to students’ individual needs. This comprehensive approach to EAL teaching as well as the small-group, personalised context of EAL classes enables pupils to maximise their English language development and enhance levels of cross-curricular attainment.
*key CAE= Certificate in Advanced English (Cambridge ESOL) CPE= Certificate of Proficiency in English (Cambridge ESOL) IELTS= International English Language Testing System TOEFL=Test of English as a Foreign Language PTE= Pearson English Language Test