English as an Additional Language
With over 90 nationalities, multilingualism is at the heart of UWC Atlantic: we celebrate linguistic diversity and recognise the role language plays in social cohesion and cultural understanding.
Living and studying in a foreign language is a fascinating journey, but it can also be a big challenge. Many students at UWC Atlantic speak little or no English when they first join the school, but they gradually develop their linguistic skills and build up their confidence throughout the 2 year programme.
The EAL Coordinator at UWC Atlantic is based in The Learning Centre (TLC) and provides a wide range of strategies and support for all students for whom English is not their first language:
- EAL classes
- 1-to-1 tutorials
- Help with homework
- Supporting students in their IB subject classes
- Adapting texts and materials
In a nutshell, EAL support is about more than just exams and grades. It is about developing the confidence to communicate and access a lifetime of enriching experiences and opportunities at UWC Atlantic and beyond.
The role of the EAL Coordinator is to orchestrate EAL provision for all students to support them in accessing the IB curriculum, as well as in succeeding in their activities, and social life. The EAL Coordinator works along with tutors, teachers and TLC support network to produce an action plan based on identified needs and to monitor the progress and attainment of EAL learners.
Students who have a passion for languages can also join Language Guides, a campus-based service to provide a tutoring service for students who wish to improve their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills via individual and group sessions. Student mentors offer support with German, Spanish, Arabic, French, Chinese and English.
Maite - English as an Additional Language Co-Ordinator
Passionate about languages and linguistics, Maite coordinates the provision for students with English as an Additional Language.
She is enthusiastic about the importance of creating learning spaces where students can discuss, experiment, and interact while they develop their linguistic skills. Her goal is to enhance students’ language skills while creating long-lasting experiences that can promote tolerance, respect, and cultural understanding.
Living in a UWC and studying the International Baccalaureate in English can feel daunting for students whose native language is not English, especially for those with a low level of proficiency in English. Her job as the EAL teacher is to support students who are non native speakers of English in accessing the IB curriculum, as well as their co-curricular programme and social life. Maite graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics and did her PGCE with QTS, but she also worked as Cognitive Neuroscience of Language researcher.
Maite is also a UWC alumna (UWC Mahindra 2011). This experience meant a profound personal transformation which later deeply influenced her teaching skills. Since then, she has dedicated her life to teaching, linguistics, and to understanding language acquisition from multiple perspectives.
Teaching & Learning Centre (TLC)
