English Language Pathways

"Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world." ~Rumi

Welcome Message from the Head of EAL

My name is Katie White and I'm the Head of EAL at ASHK. Our ethos is Welcome, Encourage, and Celebrate. We believe in valuing and supporting our emergent multilingual students. English language learners have a rich linguistic background which can enrich our whole school with the diverse cultures and knowledge that they bring to the classroom. We value the assets, potential and contributions our emergent bilingual students bring to our school community.

Katie White, Head of EAL

Overview of the English Language Pathways

Welcome ⸱ Encourage ⸱ Celebrate

English language learners have a rich linguistic background which enriches our whole school with the diverse cultures and knowledge that they bring to the classroom. We value the assets and contributions our emergent bilingual students bring to our school community at ASHK. To help every student follow their path, our experienced EAL faculty nurture students to exceed their growth targets by having the language support to fully access our curriculum.

ASHK provides distinct English Language support programs for families looking for high-quality international education for children still developing their English language skills. In all programs, students benefit from an academically rigorous standards-based curriculum and inquiry-based learning approach while being supported to acquire the English language skills they need to succeed.

Mainstream English as an Additional Language Program (EAL)
Foundational English Program (FEP) (Grades 2-5)
Bridging Program (BP) (Grades 6-8)

Three EAL Programs of Support

Mainstream EAL Program (EAL)

Foundational English Program (FEP) (Grades 2-5)

Tailored to students at the Beginning to Developing stages of English proficiency
Develops students' foundational skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking
Provides a separate, supportive, small class environment
Students integrate daily into specialist classes and activities with their mainstream cohort
Receive 12 x 40-minute lessons per week in the FEP Classroom
Spaces for FEP are limited allowing for accelerated acquisition of the language

Bridging Program (BP) (Grade 6-8)

Students in Grades 6&7 receive separate instruction during all English Language Arts lessons
Students in Grade 8 receive separate instruction during all English Language Arts lessons
Students learn alongside their peers in our mainstream program for all other subjects
Allows students to more rapidly develop the target language skills to fully access the secondary curriculum and ensure academic success.
Class size is capped at 12

Unique Features of the EAL Program at ASHK

English Proficiency Assessment

All programs use an English proficiency assessment aligned with WIDA standards during the Admissions process to place qualifying students in the appropriate program. English proficiency levels are evaluated using a Beginning of Year, Mid-Year and End-of-Year standardized language assessment alongside continuous formative assessment. Students graduate from the program when they have reached a level that will allow them to independently and successfully access the literacy curriculum.

The goal of the Foundational and Bridging Programs is graduation within one semester. However, students who require additional time to meet the program’s exit criteria may continue for an extra semester. As these programs are highly intensive, and with limited spaces available, only those applicants that show dedication to their studies and a strong academic record will be considered.

If you are interested in any of our English Programs please contact Admissions to learn more. These programs only accept a small number of students each year, so we recommend applying early!

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