Brent Logo

Home » Academics » ESL (English as a Second Language)

ESL (English as a Second Language)

Goals and Objectives

Brent International School Manila offers the ESL (English as Second Language) Program to non-native speakers of English whose English Language competency is insufficient for them to be successful in the regular academic program. The main objective of the program is to prepare ESL students for entry into the standard level of Brent's regular academic program. The program aims to achieve a high level of English proficiency in the students and to develop the confidence that will enable them to have access to instruction in the mainstream, as well as to participate fully in the life of the school.

Components of the ESL Program

  1. English Language Development Component:
    ESL students shall receive instruction in an Integrated Language Skills course, incorporating the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing at all levels.
  2. Content Area Component:
    ESL students shall also receive instruction in the content areas of mathematics, social science, science and literature.
  3. Social Communication Skills:
    Communicative competence–based language instruction shall be provided to facilitate acquisition of social communication skills and competence.

Required Level of English Proficiency

Lower School (Grades 1-5)
ESL 1 is the minimum level of proficiency required in grades 3-5. The course consists of listening, speaking, reading, and writing while focusing on cognitive academic language learning which incorporates language learning within content area instruction.
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Level 1 applicants are not accepted in Middle School. By Grade 7, a student must demonstrate at least a pre-intermediate level in order to enter Level 2. Students entering Grade 8 must demonstrate at least an intermediate level for the first semester to enter Level 3 and an advanced skill level in order to enter Level 4 for the second semester.
Level of Competence Assigned to Middle School ESL students
ESL 2 is a pre–intermediate level assigned to students with basic communication skills but who are lacking in academic language. ESL 2 students attend mainstream mathematics, computer, P.E., art and music classes.
ESL 3 is an intermediate level assigned to students whose basic communication skills are very good. The course focuses on developing their academic skills. They are assigned to homerooms in the mainstream and attend mathematics, computer, P.E., art and music classes with their mainstream peers.
ESL 4 is for advanced ESL students. Emphasis is on polishing the student's academic and presentation skills. They attend all subjects in their respective grade levels with the exception of English and another modern language.

This page was last modified on Thursday, May 10, 2012, 1:25:33 AM