English Language Development

DISV is a welcoming community for families from all over the world, and many of our students arrive with little or no English. Our English Language Development programme provides dedicated, expert support to help every student access the full curriculum and thrive in our school community.

EAL in the Elementary School

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme is delivered by specialist teachers who work both within the classroom and in small pull-out groups, depending on each child's needs and stage of English acquisition. Support is tailored to the individual student — focusing on academic vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing fluency, and oral communication.

In-class support ensures that EAL students can participate fully in lessons alongside their peers, benefiting from immersive language-rich environments while receiving targeted scaffolding. Pull-out sessions provide a safe space to develop foundational language skills at an appropriate pace, without the pressure of the full classroom setting.

Assessment and Progress

All new students are assessed on entry to determine their level of English proficiency. This assessment informs a personalised support plan, which is reviewed regularly as the student progresses. Parents receive clear communication about their child's language development alongside their academic progress.

Integration and Belonging

Our EAL programme is designed not only to build language skills, but to help students feel confident, included, and fully part of DISV life as quickly as possible. Language support is always offered with sensitivity and respect for each child's cultural identity and home language, which we celebrate as a strength.