English as a Second Language (ESL)

ISS is one of the only schools in Fiji with a special programme to cater for students from language backgrounds other than English. There are two strands to the programme:

ESL Immersion

For students who have recently arrived from a non-English speaking background.

In this programme students…

    • are given intensive English to prepare them for mainstream classes
    • are introduced to the school system – rules, programmes, assessment etc
    • receive some support for their mainstream subjects, such as Social Science or Science
    • Meet teachers from different departments of the school to help prepare them for going
      into the mainstream
    • will be integrated into other subjects one at a time, depending on their improving level
      of English
    • At the end of Terms Two and Four, students receive a special ESL report rather than the
      usual school report.

Continuing alternative English

    • Students will continue with ESL as an alternative to the Mainstream English Literature
      and Language programme until they reach Intermediate level.
    • They follow the MYP English B programme in Years 6-10
    • In Year 10 the IGCSE has an ESL exam which is highly recommended
    • IB Diploma also offers Language B in English which ESL students usually choose
    • And the ACT programme also has an ESL course

Assessment Criteria
Students are assessed for the following criteria:
    • Speaking (Message & Interaction)
    • Speaking (Language)
    • Writing (Message & Organization)
    • Writing (Language)
    • Listening
    • Reading Comprehension