This course is aimed at students in K3 through Grade 5 who need additional support with English. Students with insufficient language skills for learning often encounter difficulties understanding what their teachers and friends are saying, as well as expressing their ideas and feelings. This can be very stressful for students. This course is designed to support such students by focusing on basic language skills and understanding. Through this approach, we aim to help create an enjoyable and interesting learning environment that allows students to actively learn at school. We recommend that you take advantage of this course in order to build a strong foundation for your child’s language ability.
K3 support
In K3, classes focus on verbal communication and phonics, as well as increasing English vocabulary through activities derived from Key Stage 1 of the National Curriculum for England. Homework is given once a week, and any work not completed in class is also expected to be completed as homework.
Grades 1–5 support
In Grades 1 through 5, classes focus on verbal communication and writing, as well as increasing English vocabulary through activities derived from Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum for England.
– For Grade 1, the class is based around a review of Jolly Grammar which students complete in K3. This includes some review of phonics and simple grammar conventions. Homework is given once a week, and any work not completed in class is also expected to be completed as homework.
– For Grades 2 through 5, in addition to reviewing writing conventions such as spelling, punctuation and grammar, students also learn how to extend their writing, how to structure their writing, and how to use more varied vocabulary. Homework is given twice a week, and any work not completed in class is also expected to be completed as homework.
The following programs are available in Before School English Support:
Jolly Phonics Review
5 days-a-week (K3 only)
This class is designed for students who are new to KIST and have no, or an extremely limited, understanding of phonics.
| Monday (8:00–8:30) | Tuesday (8:00–8:30) | Wednesday (8:00–8:30) | Thursday (8:00–8:30) | Friday (8:00–8:30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review |
3 days-a-week (K3 only)
This class is designed for students who have a foundational understanding of phonics but may have gaps in their understanding.
| Monday (8:00–8:30) | Tuesday | Wednesday (8:00–8:30) | Thursday | Friday (8:00–8:30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review | Jolly Phonics review |
Jolly Grammar Review
3 days-a-week (G1 only)
This class is designed for students with significant gaps in their understanding of writing conventions from K3. Students use the Jolly Grammar 1 book as a basis for review, using the weekly grammar lesson as a mini lesson, and then applying it to some writing.
Below is an example of what a week may look like; however, this may differ from week to week.
| Monday (8:00–8:30) | Tuesday | Wednesday (8:00–8:30) | Thursday | Friday (8:00–8:30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jolly Grammar review | Writing activity | Review writing and extend |
Conventions Review and Writing
3 days-a-week (G2–G5 only)
This class is designed for students with significant gaps in their understanding of writing conventions. Instructors use their own materials as a basis for review, choosing a weekly 6 Plus 1 Traits lesson as a mini lesson, and then applying it to some writing which can then be shared or performed then peer-assessed to the 6 Plus 1 Traits rubric.
Below is an example of what a week may look like; however, this may differ from week to week.
| Monday (8:00–8:30) | Tuesday | Wednesday (8:00–8:30) | Thursday | Friday (8:00–8:30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Six Traits of Writing mini lesson | Writing activity | Review writing and peer-assess to the class rubric |
Verbal Communication
2 days-a-week (K3–G5)
This class is designed for students who have trouble with spoken English. Lessons are based mainly around the 6 Plus 1 traits of ‘Ideas’ and ‘Organization’ and students work on their confidence and tone, as well as skills such as taking turns, listening and paraphrasing.
For K3, writing involves pictures and labelling, but this is done in ways that support a speaking activity. For Grade 1, in addition to pictures and labelling, writing also involves simple sentences, again done to support a speaking activity. For Grades 2 through 5, students read interesting articles together and discuss them before writing and delivering speeches/holding debates etc. to express their points of view.
Below is an example of what a week may look like; however, this may differ from week to week.
| Monday | Tuesday (8:00–8:30) | Wednesday | Thursday (8:00–8:30) | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduce a topic, discuss opinions and share ideas. Organize thoughts using graphic organizers and make notes | Finalize notes, present work and discuss ideas for future topics |
