What is EAP?

EAP stands for English for Academic Purposes.

The level of English required to understand and write about various topics at a high school level is very high and takes much longer to acquire and perfect than social English or everyday general English.

The high school has run a very successful sheltered English for Academic Purposes program since 2000.

What is a sheltered program?

A sheltered program means that students study those subjects, which are most challenging for non-native speakers in a special class. Other subjects such as mathematics and electives are studied along with mainstream students.

Many former EAP students are subsequently on the mainstream honor roll (meaning that they have achieved all A and B grades throughout the school year).

Many former EAP students have successfully graduated from the school and are now at university or working.

Do EAP students learn with one teacher?

No, there are several EAP high school teachers all of whom are specialists in the area they teach to ensure the best quality possible; several EAP teachers also teach mainstream classes.

Math, and electives, including; PE, Art and Music are taught in regular mainstream

What is the structure of the EAP Department?

There are four levels in the sheltered EAP program.

G7, G8, G9 and G10

We do not accept EAP students above G10.

These classes are grade appropriate. We follow the regular high school program as closely as possible in all subject areas; however students receive a lot of extra language support, particularly in academic language. This extra support enables them to better understand course material and produce satisfactory assignments for their grade level. We try to prepare students as thoroughly as possible (as opposed to as quickly as possible) for regular mainstream classes.

How are students tested?

All non-native speaking students are given an English test in reading comprehension, writing and listening on application to the school. These tests have been administered to our entire high school student population and provide an accurate measure as to how well a student is likely to do in classes at NIS.

*         Students spend a minimum of two semesters or a maximum of four semesters in the EAP program.

*        Students may only transfer into mainstream classes at the beginning of the academic year in  
        August.

*        After a maximum of four semesters students are expected to have met the English language 
        proficiency requirements of mainstream.

*        Students who enter the school In EAP 10 have only one academic year (2 semesters) in the EAP
        program: After that time they are expected to have met requirements of mainstream.

*        NIS does not accept students whose English is not at entrance level for mainstream after G10.

*         Non-Native English Students who score above 85% on the EAP test are offered the mainstream
        test: Failure of the mainstream test means s/he will be placed into the grade appropriate EAP
        Class.

What does passing or failing a test mean?

Grade 7-8 applicants must pass the B-level test (beginner level) to be eligible for EAP G7 or G8. Failure of the B test (less than 60%) means that the application is refused.

Students in Grades 9-10 must pass the A- level test (Advanced level) to be eligible for EAP G9 or 10. Failure of the A test (less than 60% at G9 and 70% at G10) means that the application is refused.

 (Applicants for any grade level may reapply at a later date if their English improves).

If 85% or above is achieved on the A test, the student is also given the mainstream test. If s/he successfully passes the mainstream test, then s/he is placed in the appropriate mainstream class. Transcripts from the previous school(s), the student's age, as well as the results in the above tests, determine the stream in which the student is placed.

I want my child to study extra English outside of school and learn in mainstream classes. Can I make this choice?

No. The EAP program is carefully structured to teach English language through the content of other subjects such as science or social science. Your child will acquire the English needed for school much more efficiently through the program, whilst simultaneously learning the same core subjects as peers in mainstream classes.

If a student's level of English is low, then trying to follow mainstream classes usually leads to a lack of understanding and potentially low or failing grades.

The utmost care is taken to ensure that your child builds a foundation of knowledge and language in the EAP department to later move into mainstream and succeed in classes at an appropriate grade level.

When your child learns in the EAP department you are assured of quality, continuity and the high level of knowledge and professionalism that you would expect from a reputable international school.

The decision to place a child in EAP is solely the decision of the teaching staff and is non-negotiable.

What are the advantages of learning in the EAP class?

Specific support in academic areas, which EAP students find most difficult, leads to an increase in students's self-esteem, as they are able to understand instruction. They are set challenging assignments and goals, which they feel able to attain. The vast majority of students subsequently do well in mainstream classes.

Will my child be behind when joining the mainstream classes?

The utmost effort is made to ensure that students go into grade appropriate mainstream classes after graduation from EAP. Successful progress is dependant on the age and language ability of your child when he/she enters the program.

Math, and electives, including; PE, Art and Music are taught in regular mainstream classes, this ensures that EAP students have the chance to work and socialize with mainstream students. This avoids the feeling of being segregated from the rest of the school and means that EAP students have the opportunity to communicate with students whose English is better than theirs.

Students in senior streams receive credits for all subjects to ensure that all credit requirements for core courses and electives are met upon graduation. Studying in the EAP stream does not mean that a student needs longer to graduate.

My child didn't have ELS in G6 last year. Why does he need EAP this year?

As students move from elementary school into high school, material becomes increasingly challenging and the English needed to succeed becomes more complex.

Therefore, as vocabulary, structure and ability to express facts and opinions become more complex, non-native speakers often need extra English support to ensure they do not get left behind due to linguistic ability.

Can a student move from EAP into mainstream at the beginning of the second semester?

No, because the EAP department works hand in hand with the mainstream teachers to ensure that our curriculum follows that of the mainstream; however we may not teach matter in the same order. In the EAP department we begin with what is most concrete and easy to demonstrate. More abstract concepts are taught later in the course. As mentioned above our aim is to prepare students as thoroughly as possible, hence courses are designed for an entire academic year.

When can a student leave EAP?

As stated above, any student whose English language difficulties prevent him/her from achieving reasonable success in the mainstream is given EAP instruction. A student can therefore leave EAP at the end of term in June when his/her English level is high enough to succeed in regular classes.

As with entry into the program, exit from the program is based on tests as well as continuous assessment and observation by the EAP department. Testing takes place at the beginning and end of each term. The majority of students psend one academic year in the department.

What if a student has finished EAP, but still has some language difficulties?

The majority of the NIS high school teachers have participated in an extensive training program so that they are able to teach non-native English speakers in a mainstream classroom. NIS teachers are adequately trained to give your child language support once his/her English is up to our standard for entrance into a mainstream classroom.

How much does EAP cost?

As from August 2009 there is no additional fee for EAP as this program benefits the entire school population.

What can I do to help my child to improve his/her English?

Reading is a great way to improve. This does not always have to be reading school text books. Students should be encouraged to read books, magazines, newspapers and comics either from the school library or from anywhere they may be found. Please do not ask your child to read texts above his or her ability as this may actually make him or her not want to read. Allow your child to choose material s/he is interested in.

TV and movies in English are another great way for students to see how native speakers use their language. Again do not limit your child to serious channels such as the news, discovery channel etc. Students may also learn a great deal from light hearted broadcasts such as series or comedy programs.

Homework-all students are given a planner at the beginning of the school year in which they are expected to write down assignments. Please encourage your child to begin homework as soon as it is assigned rather than waiting until the last minute. Working late at night and cramming are discouraged as this leads both to stress and tiredness in the classroom.

Speaking English- one of the best ways to build confidence and to practice English is with friends. Students should be encouraged to make friends with students of different nationalities to avoid constantly slipping back into their native language when they are outside of class. We ask parents to strongly support the school's policy of encouraging students to speak English only, both in and out of the class whilst at school.

Please do however encourage your child to maintain and develop his or her native language outside of school. Students benefit from a strong native language background.