English Language:

The child's level of spoken and written English is important, arriving at school with little or no knowledge of the language can be an unhappy experience. Some schools offer extra English lessons and have EFL departments. Otherwise parents must consider a separate EFL course at a specialist EFL school.

Sending a child to the UK for a few weeks in July and August to take an intensive English course or Summer course before term starts is recommended for overseas students. These courses include a variety of activities and outings in the afternoons. A language is often more easily learned from children of similar age, particularly when "playing" together and are relaxed and enjoying themselves outside the classroom. Some schools have their own induction courses.

If parents cannot send their child to the UK during the summer, there are a few residential schools which offer intensive English, plus subjects such as mathematics, some sciences, computer studies, art and music. Children can embark on these subjects even if their knowledge of English is limited. At the same time they can experience a taste of boarding school life. The staff will advise parents when their child is sufficiently fluent in English to be referred to a larger, more traditional, boarding school.