TESOL and IELTS
TESOL Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages
Blundell’s is a wonderful place for international pupils to come and feel part of an English boarding school community. Young people come from all over the world to study here, and they receive a very warm welcome. 
They are fully included in the academic, sports and social programmes.Because there are such a small number of foreign language speakers here, they have an excellent opportunity to speak English all the time, integrate into boarding school life, and improve their English significantly. There are currently about forty overseas students at Blundell’s School. Those who come to study here are expected to have a good level of spoken and written English, and are tested before arriving.
Many students find that the level of English required for GCSE, AS and A2 exams is very high, and that they need some extra help with their schoolwork. Overseas students in lower years do not usually study French, instead having one-to-one or pair group TESOL lessons a few times a week, in order to improve their English, before they go on to become fluent and confident. With such small groups we are able to help individuals make rapid progress with their English. The lessons focus on improving communication and confidence, using a wide range of textbooks and materials. Pupils are also supported with their homework and any subjects they might find challenging.
In the TESOL department two fully qualified and specialised teachers with a great deal of experience are always available to provide support, advice and encouragement for international pupils. The students enjoy the friendly, communicative and personal approach to learning, and this is reflected in their success and happiness with life here.
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IELTS Exams International English Language Testing System
All overseas pupils arriving before year 12 take English GCSE Language and Literature. In addition to this they take the IELTS exam, which is often required if pupils wish to continue their studies in a British or English-speaking university. Many universities ask for this qualification, including Oxford, Cambridge and LSE.
Pupils begin preparing for the IELTS exam in year 10, and are currently using the ‘Step Up to IELTS’ coursebook. They continue to prepare more intensively in year 11, before taking the exam in the final term of Year 12.
We are very proud of our IELTS results, with 90% of pupils reaching Band 6.5 or over. Indeed many receive Band 7, 7.5, and even 8 overall. A few recent candidates were awarded 9 out of 9 for the Speaking section.
For more information, visit: http://www.ielts.org/
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Success Stories
On the whole our international pupils are very successful indeed; GCSE and A Level exam results are often outstanding, and pupils generally go on to good universities. Indeed, every year for the past four years, one or more international pupils have received offers from either Oxford or Cambridge. Several have also received offers and gone on to attend the London School of Economics, and other top universities.
Profile: Eva Zhang
Eva Zhang came to Blundell’s for the Sixth Form from Shenzhen Experimental School in China.
At Blundell’s she took part in the National Maths Challenge and was awarded two Gold medals, and also won a Gold in the British Maths Olympiad. She also gained a Bronze award in the national Physics competition, while her team came third in the national Chemistry Analysis competition.
It was no surprise to hear that she was given a place to study Maths at Trinity College, Cambridge.
We must not forget, of course, that Eva is also a grade 8 pianist and performed a beautiful Chopin Nocturne at the Summer Concert!
Celebrating Diversity
- We value and respect different cultures and philosophies - we all learn from each other!
- We have an International Club where international pupils and friends can get together and enjoy themselves cooking food for each other, with music and games
- There is an International Welcome Evening
- We celebrate the Chinese New Year
- We want our international pupils to feel proud of their cultures and be recognised, as well as being fully included in the life of the school
International Nights
International Leavers 2008 – 2010
Imperial for Biomedical Science - Keble College, Oxford for Maths & Computer Science
- Trinity College, Cambridge for Mathematics
- Exeter – Accounting and Finance with Industrial Experience
- Middlesex – Interior Design and Applied Arts
- University of Kent for Psychology with Clinical Psychology
- Liverpool for Architecture
- UAL for Fashion Journalism
- LSE – Economics
- University of Nottingham – Economics
- University of Hong Kong – Economics & Finance
