English as an Additional Language
The Cambridge exams we offer:
B1 Preliminary for Schools
B2 FIRST FOR SCHOOLS
IGCSE English as a Second Language
IELTS
Edinburgh, Scotland
About 20% of our pupils are international students from approximately 25 countries.
We are committed to making appropriate provision of teaching and resources if English is an additional language for your son. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department will identify his needs at the earliest opportunity and ensure that he is able to use English confidently and competently across the curriculum.
Assessing needs
The Head of EAL liaises with the Head of the Faculty of Support for Learning, the two other members of the EAL department, and other academic departments to support your son’s needs. He will be assessed by the Head of Department, who will establish what prior subject knowledge and experience he has in other subjects.
Personalised support
Your son will receive a programme tailored to meet his needs, including small group or one-to-one support. His class/subject teachers will plan collaboratively with EAL focusing on both language and subject content. To ensure he is doing as well as he can, your son’s progress and attainment as an EAL learner will be closely monitored. We appreciate that your son’s conceptual thinking may be in advance of his ability to speak English. That is why we make certain the cognitive challenge remains appropriately high and is not reduced because the English language demand has been reduced.
- Traditional UK boarding schools refer to English language teaching for international pupils as English as an Additional Language (EAL) or English as a Second Language (ESL).
- Most schools expect pupils to use only English while they are studying and although almost all boarding schools provide some English language teaching for international pupils, this provision varies a great deal from school to school.
- Some schools charge extra for EAL teaching, but many now include at least some support in the basic school fees. When schools charge for EAL teaching, the cost of tuition varies.
- The qualifications and experience of the staff responsible for EAL can vary, so check these details before enrolling at a school.
- Independent schools often offer the opportunity for pupils to prepare for public exams such as the Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exams, an IGCSE in English as a Second Language and the IELTS English test.
Traditional UK boarding schools refer to English language teaching for international pupils as English as an Additional Language (EAL) or English as a Second Language (ESL).
Most schools expect pupils to use only English while they are studying and although almost all boarding schools provide some English language teaching for international pupils, this provision varies a great deal from school to school.
Some schools charge extra for EAL teaching, but many now include at least some support in the basic school fees. When schools charge for EAL teaching, the cost of tuition varies.
The qualifications and experience of the staff responsible for EAL can vary, so check these details before enrolling at a school.
Independent schools often offer the opportunity for pupils to prepare for public exams such as the Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exams, an IGCSE in English as a Second Language and the IELTS English test.
School News
![Boys playing rugby at Merchiston Castle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743082100/merchistoncouk/lbnrrw22q5ociibx23x0/Melrose7sRugbyClinic_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743082100/merchistoncouk/lbnrrw22q5ociibx23x0/Melrose7sRugbyClinic_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743082100/merchistoncouk/lbnrrw22q5ociibx23x0/Melrose7sRugbyClinic_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
We are excited to announce that we will once again host the Rugby Coaching Clinic at this year's Melrose 7s - registrations are open!
![Huw Jones, new Headmaster at Merchiston Castle School]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743410130/merchistoncouk/zqzgioo2iqjxhxttn1zd/HuwJones_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743410130/merchistoncouk/zqzgioo2iqjxhxttn1zd/HuwJones_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743410130/merchistoncouk/zqzgioo2iqjxhxttn1zd/HuwJones_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of our new Headmaster, Mr Huw Jones.
![A team of boys from Merchiston Castle School taking part in the launch of a satellite as part of the CanSat Competition 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743428178/merchistoncouk/nbb7ehubqzszqzpc2uwj/CanSatCompetition2025_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743428178/merchistoncouk/nbb7ehubqzszqzpc2uwj/CanSatCompetition2025_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743428178/merchistoncouk/nbb7ehubqzszqzpc2uwj/CanSatCompetition2025_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Another year, another team taking part in the CanSat competition in partnership with the European Space Agency!
![group of boys from Merchiston Castle School at a go-karting centre in Edinburgh]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742995160/merchistoncouk/c5groqjhkfsmhuzp4owt/BoysKarting_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1742995160/merchistoncouk/c5groqjhkfsmhuzp4owt/BoysKarting_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742995160/merchistoncouk/c5groqjhkfsmhuzp4owt/BoysKarting_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
A Sunday of fun spent Karting for our Sixth Form boarders!
![Group of students from Merchiston Castle School at the Edinburgh performance of 'Death of a Salesman']([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743418976/merchistoncouk/fhzsmxwicrtecw6oiw6c/DeathofaSalesman_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743418976/merchistoncouk/fhzsmxwicrtecw6oiw6c/DeathofaSalesman_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743418976/merchistoncouk/fhzsmxwicrtecw6oiw6c/DeathofaSalesman_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Another exciting theatre trip for our Arts Programme - this time they went to see 'Death of a Salesman'.
![Group of boys taking a trip to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in March 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741856055/merchistoncouk/llbvfuv4hteyugtw8qdy/TriptotheScottishChamberOrchestra_800X800.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1741856055/merchistoncouk/llbvfuv4hteyugtw8qdy/TriptotheScottishChamberOrchestra_800X800.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741856055/merchistoncouk/llbvfuv4hteyugtw8qdy/TriptotheScottishChamberOrchestra_800X800.jpg","width":800}])
Hear more about the Arts Programme's latest outing from Mr Thompson.
