EAL – Senior School

English as an Additional Language at Kimbolton

EAL (English as an Additional Language) at Kimbolton School supports international students in developing their English language skills for academic and everyday use.

Through targeted lessons, we help you build confidence, improve fluency, and succeed across your GCSE subjects while fostering cultural integration and personal growth.

Assessment

The Pearson Edexcel International GCSE in English as a Second Language (ESL) is assessed through four equally weighted units, each focusing on a specific language skill:

1. Unit 1: Reading
   • Assessment: Externally assessed written examination lasting 1 hour.
   • Content: Evaluates the ability to read for different purposes, including understanding main ideas, details, opinions, and implied meanings.
2. Unit 2: Listening
   • Assessment: Externally assessed written examination lasting 45 minutes.
   • Content: Assesses listening skills through recordings related to various topics, measuring comprehension of main points, specific details, and speakers’ attitudes.
3. Unit 3: Writing
   • Assessment: Externally assessed written examination lasting 1 hour.
   • Content: Tests writing skills through tasks such as writing short messages, reports, articles, or essays, focusing on coherence, accuracy, and appropriateness.
4. Unit 4: Speaking
   • Assessment: Externally assessed speaking examination lasting 10–12 minutes.
   • Content: Evaluates speaking abilities through tasks like discussions and presentations, assessing fluency, pronunciation, and interactive communication.

This unitised structure allows flexibility, enabling learners to take individual unit assessments over multiple examination series or all together at the end of the course. The qualification aligns with Levels A2 to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), covering topics relevant to learners using English as a second language in contexts such as study, work, and leisure.