English as a Second Language: the skills we teach

Below are the core skill areas for English as a Second Language. The exact papers, question types, marks and word guidance differ by board and syllabus version, so we teach those specifics from the board's official syllabus and cite it. In every area, your child works one-to-one with an experienced teacher who reads their work closely and shows how to improve it.

Understanding texts and finding specific information.

Clear, well-organised writing in set forms, with accurate grammar and register.

Following spoken English for gist and for detail.

Developing and structuring ideas confidently in a discussion.

The grammar and punctuation that decide bands; taught in context.

Each board assesses English as a Second Language a little differently. These pages set out what each board's papers ask and how we teach them, with the assessment facts traced to the board's official syllabus:

You may also find qualifications we teach and original practice tasks useful. Next, visit our paper-by-paper guides to see how each paper is assessed. Our English as a Second Language tuition page explains how lessons run. When you are ready, the paid one-hour trial is the first step.