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
![Forest Opening]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725370508/merchistoncouk/ks6kxrqttrvj5vxg1ino/ForestOpening.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725370508/merchistoncouk/ks6kxrqttrvj5vxg1ino/ForestOpening.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725370508/merchistoncouk/ks6kxrqttrvj5vxg1ino/ForestOpening.png","width":800}])
We are delighted to announce that our nursery & Junior School (P1-P3), The Forest has opened its doors to boys and girls on Merchiston's 100 acre campus.
![GCSE Results 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724325614/merchistoncouk/w2vq2pzattzez1elxftc/ExamResults800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724325614/merchistoncouk/w2vq2pzattzez1elxftc/ExamResults800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724325614/merchistoncouk/w2vq2pzattzez1elxftc/ExamResults800x800.png","width":800}])
After Merchiston's strong performance at A-Levels last week, today marks another greatly anticipated day with the publication of our GCSE results for the V Form. Once again, our students have put in a strong performance across the cohort with a fantastic 47% of all papers graded 9/8/7 and 90% papers graded 9-4.
![Merchiston Main Building]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1723721756/merchistoncouk/j8mufkubekoh0y0lwvua/MerchistonMainBuilding.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1723721756/merchistoncouk/j8mufkubekoh0y0lwvua/MerchistonMainBuilding.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1723721756/merchistoncouk/j8mufkubekoh0y0lwvua/MerchistonMainBuilding.png","width":800}])
An impressive 15% of our graduates secured an A* grade, with 85% achieving grades between A* and C. Our overall pass rate remains very robust, with 100% securing passes in these courses.
![Cambridge DT Competition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725632358/merchistoncouk/gjtjqjfutbwj5iaocalu/CambridgeDT.jpg","width":800}])
Hamish J (UVI) and Fudail F (UVI)'s impressive entry took 1st place against over 50 other entrants
from across the world.
![Arkwright Scholars]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1725377252/merchistoncouk/kjnupjyso1lolbc005xm/Arkwrightscholar800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1725377252/merchistoncouk/kjnupjyso1lolbc005xm/Arkwrightscholar800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1725377252/merchistoncouk/kjnupjyso1lolbc005xm/Arkwrightscholar800x800.png","width":800}])
Merchiston has a strong track record of success in boys being awarded Arkwright Engineering Scholarships - a highly esteemed programme administered by The Smallpeice Trust. Over a 2-year period, winners can focus on projects and attend mentor days in the pursuit of their engineering interests, future study and career paths.
![William M with cricket cup]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724063315/merchistoncouk/utf103r2zrjssccspxpg/WilliamM800x800.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724063315/merchistoncouk/utf103r2zrjssccspxpg/WilliamM800x800.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724063315/merchistoncouk/utf103r2zrjssccspxpg/WilliamM800x800.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724063315/merchistoncouk/utf103r2zrjssccspxpg/WilliamM800x800.png","width":1200}])
William M (V Form), playing as part of the Grange Cricket Club won the Cricket Scotland U16's Scottish Cup yesterday in Perth at Perth Doo’cot Cricket Club
