English Language Development

DISV welcomes Secondary students from around the world, including many who arrive with developing English skills. Our English Language Development programme provides expert, targeted support to help every student engage fully with the academic demands of the IB Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.

EAL in Secondary School

Our English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme in Secondary School is delivered by specialist teachers who provide both in-class support and pull-out sessions, calibrated to each student's current proficiency level and academic context. Support focuses on the academic English demands of each subject — including subject-specific vocabulary, extended writing, and oral communication in formal academic settings.

In-class support allows EAL students to participate fully alongside their peers while receiving targeted scaffolding to access complex texts and assessment tasks. Pull-out sessions provide intensive language development in a small-group setting, with a focus on the skills most immediately needed in students' current subjects.

Assessment and Progress

All new students are assessed on entry to establish their English proficiency level. This informs an individual support plan, which is reviewed regularly and adjusted as the student's language skills develop. Students are exited from formal EAL support when they are assessed as able to access the curriculum independently — though ongoing subject-specific support remains available.

Integration and Belonging

Arriving at a new school in a new country can be challenging, and language is often the greatest barrier. Our EAL team works closely with form tutors and subject teachers to ensure that every new student feels welcomed, supported, and quickly integrated into the life of the school. We celebrate each student's linguistic background as a strength — a valued part of the multicultural community that makes DISV exceptional.