English as a Second Language
About the Department
The role of the department is to improve English language skills in order to allow overseas students access to the general curriculum using courses individually tailored to meet the needs of the student. It supports students in understanding curriculum subjects and in completion of prep/ course work tasks. It often provides a first 'port of call' for overseas students to air any worries / problems.
Teaching and Learning
Each student is tested in September and their ESL needs are assessed continuously throughout the year and their progress is tested at the end of each term. Any student coming directly from overseas may be asked to sit an entry test in their country of origin.
All ESL study programmes aim to enhance the student's reading skills and writing skills with various in house reading and writing courses. Students are also encouraged to read for pleasure from a library of graded readers. Each student is encouraged to discuss his/her work as fully as possible, to prepare speeches and to take part in debates. In addition, he/she is encouraged to develop opinions on various subjects and to express these opinions clearly.
Students in 5th form may be entered for the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), if there are no clashes with GCSEs
Students work towards and are entered in the Lower Sixth for IELTS (International English Language Testing System), an internationally recognised qualification, in which a grade of 6 or above is required for University entrance in Britain.
Activities
Overseas students get the chance to go to the theatre in December to see the annual pantomime. We also take the 6th form IELTS students out for a celebratory dinner at the end of their course.
What Pupils Say
“Lessons are always fun and you really learn.”
“The atmosphere in lessons is very relaxed and friendly.”
“The teachers are always ready to help with any problems.”
“The ESL trips are enjoyable.”
Stuart Lucas, Head of Department
Stuart is currently studying for a Diploma SpLD (Dyslexia) at the Univesity of Edinburgh and previously has been awarded an M.Litt, Literacy Linguistics for the Teaching of English Language and Literature (University of Strathclyde), a BA (Hons) English Studies (University of Stirling), and a PGCE (English/History) (University of Strathclyde). He fell into the trap that is education and has never escaped! Enjoys reading Voltaire and Yukio Mishima.
Carol Lekkas, Senior ESL Tutor
Carol has been teaching English to overseas students since 1984. She spent ten years living in Greece where she opened her own English Language School. Whilst living there she became fluent in Greek especially as she had to pass the Greek School Leavers exams (like A Levels) to be able to open her school! Since returning from Greece in 1994 she has been working at Loretto, be it part time or full time. She is lucky enough to have two boys of her own (aged 20 and 17) so apart from being totally indispensable to them, she tries to find time to do some gardening, watch them play rugby and to get some peace and quiet, reading!
Philip Middleton, ESL Tutor
After spending five years in stockbroking in the 1980’s Philip studied English at the University of Dundee. He graduated in 1992 with a first class MA (honours), and went on to gain a post-graduate diploma at the University of Southampton. He has been teaching English as a Second Language for twelve years. Before arriving at Loretto in 2001 he had taught in a number of schools in the UK and in Egypt, Turkey and Qatar. When he’s not teaching he enjoys reading, cinema and keeping up with the football results.
Jacqueline Young, ESL Tutor
Jaki completed her BA in Business Administration at Heriot-Watt University and her Cert TESOL with TLI Europe, Edinburgh and is currently studying for the Licentiate Diploma (LTCL) in TESOL. Jaki worked for nearly a decade at the Roslin Institute as PA to Professor Ian Wilmut OBE, FRSE – leader of the research team that cloned “Dolly the sheep” – before joining Loretto in 2006. She has also worked in Spain teaching English and has a son who is currently off travelling Europe perfecting his Spanish and French skills. Jaki enjoys swimming, hill walking and jetting off to Mallorca at the drop of a hat!