English as a Foreign Language (EFL)

Heathfield School welcomes students from overseas for whom English is a foreign (EFL) or additional (EAL) language. We have girls from Spain, Germany, Russia, Japan, China and Thailand who enjoy the warm and caring environment of our school.

Moving to a new country with a different culture can be exciting yet challenging so we have a dedicated team who are committed to providing both pastoral and academic support if you come from outside the United Kingdom.

We have a specialised induction programme, which starts as soon as you arrive and we provide ongoing support to ensure that you adjust favourably to life in our English boarding school.

English Language Lessons

Girls have the opportunity to continue developing and perfecting their English in tutorials or small group lessons. Classes cover all language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as vocabulary and grammar. Our teachers can provide language support for individual academic subjects. All individualised extra English lessons solve girls’ specific language needs and subject teachers accommodate learners with additional English needs. You can also prepare for examinations such as the IELTS and Cambridge University English Qualifications.

IELTS Examination

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination is a British university entrance requirement for students whose first language is other than English. We offer full support for girls who need to sit this examination. Most of our IELTS candidates will have coaching with an experienced IELTS teacher. To date, all of the students that have sat IELTS at Heathfield have achieved their target scores, ranging from 6.5 to 9.0. The school undertakes all the arrangements to sit the examinations in centres around London or Berkshire.

Cambridge EFL Examinations

All International students are encouraged to gain a Cambridge Language Examination at their optimum level. The Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) and Cambridge Preliminary Test (PET) remain two of the most common examinations that our students take but final year students often prepare for Advanced and Proficient Certificates (CAE or CPE). Our experienced teachers work with individuals or small group lessons to allow students to gain these internationally recognised qualifications.

Other Requirements

Girls must sit a language entrance test as part of their admission to Heathfield.
We require girls who enter the school to already have a functional level of English proficiency so that they can access their mainstream academic subjects.
Most International girls need to attend a number of EFL lessons, which are charged as an extra. This allocation is decided with each girl’s parent or guardian in accordance with the girl’s needs and her level of English.
Heathfield School requires all pupils to have a UK based guardian who is an adult over the age of 25.

English as an Additional Language

English Language Lessons

IELTS Examination

Cambridge EFL Examinations

Other Requirements

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