伊顿慧桥教育
Etonbridge Education
Institute of English Language
Over the years, there has been considerable demand for international students to be privately educated in the United Kingdom. However, the most significant barrier to entry is often their level of English not being of a standard where they can pass the required entrance exam. More importantly, they will eventually have to face struggles once they enter a British Boarding School.
This proposal aims to introduce a new approach to English language learning, combining the current teaching model of English language schools with the traditional boarding element of private schools. Not only do we wish for students to obtain a sufficient level of understanding of the English language, but we will also implement an integration programme for our students to ensure a smooth transition into a private British boarding school.
The Curriculum
The initial course structure has been developed using the English education system combining certified exams with a social integration program and complete pastoral care for all International students.
Experiences gained from working with different International Boarding Schools have shown that many International pupils are at the same pace or even ahead of their counterparts in terms of their knowledge across their academic curriculum. Their main problem has been their ability to understand the lessons due to the level of English and a lack of understanding of the general expectation from the English education system. Once they can speak, write, read and understand English at the required standard with the general knowledge of what the English education system needs, they tend to achieve at a high level. Whilst there will not be a full secondary education curriculum, lessons will be conducted in English. They will cover local history and culture to improve their general knowledge of a different country and way of life.
The certified exam curriculum is agreed with Cambridge and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which teach English as a second language. This will be combined with localisation, integration and cultural awareness.
CAIE
Cambridge programmes and qualifications set the global standard for international education. Subject experts create them, are rooted in academic rigour and reflect the latest educational research.
The four stages of the Cambridge Pathway lead seamlessly from primary through secondary and pre-university years. Schools can shape the curriculum around how they want students to learn.
Every year, nearly a million Cambridge learners prepare for their future with an education from Cambridge International. Together with schools, they develop Cambridge learners who are confident, responsible, reflective, innovative, engaged, and equipped for success in the modern world.
More than 10,000 schools are part of the Cambridge learning community. They operate in 160 countries across nine regions: North America, Latin America, UK and Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. They have Cambridge representatives in every region.
The Cambridge International English curriculum will be used by pupils aged 11 – 14 and is equivalent to the European framework with an exam at the end of the study period based on ability.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work in English.
The IELTS programme is widely used to improve English language skills for education, migration and work. The IELTS Academic test is suitable for entry to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels and for professional registration purposes. It assesses whether you are ready to begin studying or training in an environment where the English language is used and reflects some of the features of language used in academic study.
The IELTS programme will be used by older pupils aged over 15. The exam will take place on the Isle of Man, and IELTS will provide an invigilator from the UK to supervise the exam. Private schools in the UK require pupils to achieve IELTS levels A2 – B1 so that exams will be based on these levels.
Additional Teaching
In additional to the general English language education. IEL will also implement an introduction course to life in the UK and Introduction to UK literature and culture. For many International Students, the struggle of not being able to integrate into society can be one of the biggest challenges. Studying this course designed by IEL with guidance from the Life in the UK British Citizenship test will prepare our International Students for the way of life in the UK and allow them to increase the chances of a full round of integration once they enter into an International Boarding School in the UK. Furthermore, as many UK schools GCSE English Language and Literature are standard compulsory courses, the Introduction to English Literature and Culture would act as an introductory course leading to their necessary studies later on.
Location
The Institute of English Language (IEL) will be situated on the Isle of Man, sitting on the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Having the longest continuous parliament in the world and being a self-governing British Crown Dependency, the island hosts around 80,000 residents and is known to be one of the most peaceful, safe and picturesque locations.
We have chosen the Isle of Man as the location for our initial start-up for many reasons. For many, the island provides a relaxing and calming environment. The welcoming community would allow many international students to feel at home and be part of a large community. For students, the tranquil setting would give them the chance to focus on themselves, improve their English, and learn about the lifestyle in the UK. The island takes pride in its historical and traditional culture, making this place one of the most suitable locations to undergo an English education.
Furthermore, language boarding school licensing does not exist in the UK. However, as the Isle of Man is a self-governing Crown Dependency, the island holds its legislative power. With a government that works incredibly close to its community, we can establish the first language boarding school in the UK with guidance and help from the government.
The Isle of Man is also a spectacular location for business set-up and growth; with a 0% charge on corporation tax, it allows businesses to further expand and maintain their position in the market to their full potential.
Course
IEL has a special course designed for students aged 12-16, and upon successful completion of the course, they will have a number of future pathways to choose from:
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The Institute of English Language has agency agreements with a number of UK international schools, universities and institutions, allowing students to develop further after successfully completing their English courses;
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As the number of students increases, the Institute of English Language will continue to seek more cooperation opportunities to provide students with more choices;
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Students will be able to speak English at A2-B1 level and meet UK and Isle of Man visa requirements.
Staffing
All teaching staff will hold qualifications which are suitable for their role. It is anticipated that the teaching staff will be a mixture of experienced and junior teachers. The junior teachers are likely to be graduates looking for experience in the profession to teach English as a second language.
The IEL believes that a number of these roles are likely to be filled from the UK or other countries where English is a first language. With recent university graduates and interns, we hope to create a young and innovative learning environment for the students as well as being able to share their experiences of the English education system.