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English Coordinator Sarah Follen Tomlinson
In August of 2007 I began my work as a teacher within the Learning Support department at Rey Yupanqui. Working through Learning Support allows me to become familiar with children and teachers from almost every grade, which is fantastic. I have enjoyed working with students and teachers in a variety of capacities such as in small groups, with the whole class and during individual, one-to-one support. Prior to working at Lancaster, I taught students with Specific Learning Difficulties at Jumeirah Primary School in Dubai, UAE. My teacher training focussed very specifically on how to develop students' literacy skills therefore I have a strong knowledge of the skills needed to develop abilities in these areas and as such, I was appointed the English Coordinator in the middle of the 2007-08 academic year. Working with teachers, administration and senior management to further develop the English Curriculum has been a challenging yet rewarding process that has helped me to better understand the school and its students and as such better utilize my role as a Learning Support teacher. I look forward to seeing the English Curriculum 'in action' and working together with teachers, senior management, parents and children to ensure that Lancaster provides its students with every opportunity to learn and succeed.
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English
The Lancaster is a bilingual school and while 60% of the class instruction takes place in English, the goal is not for English to become the dominant language of our students. Instead, we aim to produce children who are functionally bilingual, and able to operate effectively in both of the school languages. The English curriculum in the pre-school and primary years is based around the development of vocabulary, understanding, oral and written expression and specific language structures. ESL topics and teaching practice are combined with literacy skills drawn from certain relevant aspects of the British National Curriculum. Children read and study a variety of different texts and learn to express themselves verbally and in writing. Technological and computer literacy is also a focus and there are many cross curricular links between the English and ICT programmes.
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Pre school -
The main
focus is on understanding basic English vocabulary and everyday phrases. All
instruction is given in English, and children are expected to be able to
respond to simple questions and commands appropriately. They are also
expected to be able to produce some words and simple phrases in English,
although most of their communication still occurs in Spanish. |
Lower primary - The focus extends from comprehension to expression. Children are encouraged to express themselves solely in English, and Spanish is no longer accepted as a method of communicating with the English teacher. Reading and writing also become more important in these grades, with children learning the basics of spelling, punctuation and sentence structure, as well as continuing to practise their oral expression. | ||||
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Upper Primary -
English
lessons continue to focus on improving oral and written expression, and on
reading and listening comprehension. From grade three, grammar and the
correct use of language structures become more important in the curriculum
and children are taught that it’s not enough just to be understood, they
also have to be able to speak and write accurately. During these years,
children are exposed to different types of literature, poetry and
non-fiction texts, and are taught more advanced research skills, spelling
patterns and writing techniques.
Choose from the Grades below to find more specific curriculum information. |
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