Welkom curriculum English
English for children in the Dutch Stream
NISL attaches great importance to English as a separate subject.
The two main objectives of the English classes are:
  • that young children become acquainted with English as their second or third language, and thus learn to express themselves in English in everyday life.
  • that children can prepare for progression to an English speaking international school.
English lessons take place in a separate classroom. All new entrants are assessed on arrival as to their level of competency. Where necessary, these children are offered remedial classes in a separate block to ensure that they reach their appropriate age determined level.
Students who are more competent than their peers, are encouraged to complete extra material to further develop their progress.
Year Group 1,2 and 3
Groep 1,2 en 3 krijgt 3x per week Engelse les van 30 minuten.
Group 1,2 and 3 have three English lessons of 30 minutes per week. In this group, we concentrate on spoken English. The main objective of these lessons is to expand student’s vocabulary, improve their oral language skills and strengthen their general confidence when they speak English.
This is accomplished through conversation, songs and rhymes, stories and occasionally a drawing or a craft. We try to follow the IPC units as far as possible, and see these units as a source for learning a new vocabulary and concepts in English. Towards the end of group 3, we begin with the New Chatterbox Starter series.
Group 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
Group 4 to 8 have three English lessons of 45 minutes per week. In these groups we use the New Chatterbox, a series of four different textbooks published by Oxford University Press. We also follow the IPC units during these English lessons, dealing with new vocabulary and themes that are taught during IPC in class.
We try to improve the confidence and the vocabulary of the students in these groups through various activities such as singing songs, role-plays and small skits, with either the New Chatterbox series or the IPC units as a starting point.
Much attention is also paid to the technical aspects of the language as well as reading comprehension. From group 5, students are encouraged to take books home. In Group 7 and 8, supplementary work with the Grammar Lab and Brain Waves published by Oxford University Press ensure students are prepared.