High School Curriculum: Languages & Literature
Arabic Language - A
Aims and philosophy
The Arabic language is the native language of more than 250 million Arabs, the majority
to be found between Morocco in the west and Iraq in the east. The classical Arabic
language (Fus'ha) is seen by all Muslims as sacred. People around the world revere
Arabic as the language of the Holy Qur'an which has preserved Arabic in its purest
form in the eyes of Muslims.
The Arabic language has changed little over the centuries. Consequently, a well-
educated person is quite capable of reading Arabic written a thousand or more years
ago. However, the language has had to develop over the last century to incorporate
new words and idioms such as new technological terms. The translation of European
works of literature in particular has also accelerated the process. This has created
a battle between the purists who object to the absorption of foreign words into
the language and the modernists who have been more than willing to break with certain
age-old traditions.
The Arabic Language - A programme is for native speakers. Students are taught classical
Arabic according to the Ministry of Education programme.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
The Arabic Language - A department in the High School has introduced a new curriculum
that covers the four main areas of learning any language which are reading, writing,
listening and conversational skills. The curriculum is based on the encouragement
of the students to use the language in their daily activities.
An Arabic Language - A student follows the Ministry of Education curriculum. The
areas covered include:
- Reading and directed writing: Students should be able to understand and convey information
and to understand orders and present facts, ideas and opinions and to communicate
effectively and appropriately.
- Continuous writing: Students should be able to articulate experience and express
what is felt and what is imagined and to order and present facts, ideas and opinions.
- Usage: Students should be able to exercise control of appropriate grammatical structures
and to demonstrate an awareness of the conventions of paragraphing, sentence structures
and punctuation.
Grades 10 and 11: Edexcel IGCSE Arabic First Language (4308)
Students in Grades 10 and 11 are following both the Ministry of Education curriculum
and the IGCSE curriculum which is designed as a two-year course for first language
Arabic speakers. The course aims to encourage a board range of reading and writing
in standard Arabic. Students are taught to demonstrate a range of writing styles;
are assessed through grammatical exercises; and are encouraged to read both contemporary
and classical Arabic, fiction and non-fiction.
Grades 12 and 13: IBDP Arabic B
The Arabic B course is available at both Higher (HL) and Standard (SL) Levels. The
language B course is designed for students with some previous experience of learning
Arabic. The main focus of this course is on language acquisition and development
of skills. The Arabic B course gives students the opportunity to reach a high degree
of competence in the language and explore the culture using the language. The range
of purposes and situations for which and in which the language is used extends to
the domain of work, social relationship, and the discussions of abstract ideas,
for example.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Mr. Mohamed Lutfi
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 226 or Email:
mlutfi@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
Arabic Language - B
Aims and philosophy
The Arabic language is the native language of more than 250 million Arabs, the majority
to be found between Morocco in the west and Iraq in the east. The classical Arabic
language (Fus'ha) is seen by all Muslims as sacred. People around the world revere
Arabic as the language of the Holy Qur'an which has preserved Arabic in its purest
form in the eyes of Muslims.
The Arabic language has changed little over the centuries. Consequently, a well-
educated person is quite capable of reading Arabic written a thousand or more years
ago. However, the language has had to develop over the last century to incorporate
new words and idioms such as new technological terms. The translation of European
works of literature in particular has also accelerated the process
The Arabic Language – B programme is for non-native speakers. Students are taught
classical Arabic.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
Arabic is a requirement set by the Ministry of Education for all students up to
Grade 9 studying in the UAE. Arabic B students follow a course in Arabic as a foreign
language which aims to enable them to communicate effectively. The programme meets
the needs of both students who have had little or no previous experience of learning
the Arabic language as well as those who have studied the subject in primary school.
The main focus of the syllabus is on language acquisition and development. For assessment
purposes, course content is divided into three components, which will be assessed
separately: Speaking - Listening - Writing. Students are grouped according to ability
in two levels – Beginners and Intermediate.
The Arabic language department in the High School has introduced a new curriculum
that is based on the encouragement of the students to use the language in their
daily activities as all the chapters covered are about different activities that
our students actually do in their real lives.
Grades 10 and 11: Edexcel GCSE Modern Foreign Language Arabic
(1607)
This course develops the range of language skill with a variety of topics covered.
These topics include media, entertainment and youth culture, education, training
and employment, and fitness and health. As in the acquisition of any language, the
study involves four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Grades 12 and 13: IBDP Arabic Ab Initio
he IBDP Arabic Ab initio course is a language learning course for beginners, designed
to be followed over two years by students who have not previously studied this language.
The main focus is on the acquisition of language skills required for purposes and
situations usual in everyday social interaction. There is an emphasis on practical
utility. As in the acquisition of any language, the study involves four skills:
listening, reading, writing and speaking. This course is only available at Standard
Level (SL).
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Mr. Mohamed Lutfi
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 226 or Email:
mlutfi@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
English First Language
Aims and philosophy
All High School students study English Language (as a first or second language)
and English Literature as separate subjects to IGCSE. All students following the
IBDP course also take English. These courses develop skills which are useful in
all careers: the understanding of how to read critically and discerningly and the
ability to write and speak accurately, persuasively and with confidence in one's
own judgments. At IB level, students are encouraged to develop their interest in
and enjoyment of literature and good non-fiction writing, to communicate effectively
both in discussion and writing and to understand cultural and historical influences
on texts.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
The students are given opportunities to talk for a range of purposes including explanation
and narration. They are exposed to a range of different types of text, fiction as
well as non-fiction. Students are encouraged to write for different purposes while
simultaneously developing their own distinctive and original style. In Grade 7,
for instance, students use their distinctive style, as well as effective persuasive
language, to write a leaflet; Grade 8 students learn how to write distinctive newspaper
articles; Grade 9 students use parts of the IGCSE writing triplets when they create
persuasive and informative advertising campaigns.
Grades 10 – 11: Edexcel IGCSE English Language (4355)
The English Language programme for first language students involves study of a prescribed
anthology of reading materials, both fiction and non-fiction. Their understanding
of these will be tested in the external examinations at the end of the course. Students
will also be tested on their ability to write in a variety of styles (for example,
persuasive, informative, descriptive) and on their understanding of the language
use in an unseen (that is, not studied in class) text.
Grade 12 and 13: IBDP English A1
Students continue their English Language development indirectly through the IBDP
English A1 course.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Ms. Robyn Spicer
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 244 or Email:
rspicer@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
Second Language English
Aims and philosophy
English as a Second Language is available within the High School, although it is
taken by a minority of students. The programme aims to make students proficient
in the use of the English language which is the medium of instruction for all other
courses in the High School. The study of any language entails applying it in four
active and interrelated ways: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The aim
is to enable students to become effective communicators who are able to use the
language spontaneously and appropriately in both familiar and unfamiliar circumstances.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
In Grades 7-9, two programmes are available to assist students in need of extra
help in English language. All students entering Grade 7 are tested by the English
Department early in the academic year to assess their language skills. Other students
joining EIS-J are required to do an English test as part of the entrance process
and this is used for placement purposes.
Modified Programme
After testing, and following the advice of the Modified Programme coordinator, some
students are identified as needing our Modified Programme of English. This is a
programme for students with a fairly low level of English language proficiency.
This is timetabled at the same time as mainstream English classes. In smaller groups,
and taught by a English as a Second Language specialist, these students will broadly
cover the work studied by the mainstream groups but using English as a Second Language
acquisition techniques. In such groups, differentiation will be more effective and
much easier to carry out. Specific language development needs will be targeted and
addressed. The goal of this programme is to allow students to reenter the mainstream
English classes as their skills progress.
Structured English Support (Extra English)
Structured English Support lessons are timetabled against French classes. These
are available to students who have been identified by subject teachers as well as
entrance tests as being in need of extra work to improve their writing, reading,
speaking and listening skills in English language. Most of the students who are
in the Modified Programme will also take Structured English Support. It is felt
that until a student's English is secure, this should be the focus rather than trying
to acquire a third or even fourth language.
Grades 10 – 11: Edexcel IGCSE English Second Language (4357)
This course is for those students for whom English is not the language of their
home environment or who hold a passport from a non English speaking country. At
the end of Grade 9, the decision is made by teachers in conjunction with parents
as to whether a student will benefit from following this second language course
at IGCSE.
Second Language English students will be taught to deal with a variety of different
non-fiction texts (such as brochures, guides, newspaper articles) and will learn
to read for detail and to skim and scan for information. They will also learn to
differentiate between writing skills such as summary, article and letter writing.
In addition, they have a listening comprehension and a separate spoken English examination.
All students also follow the same Edexcel Literature syllabus.
Grade 12 and 13: IBDP A2 English Language
A2 English is designed for students who use English as their working language for
other subjects but for whom English is not their first language. At EIS-J, this
course is taken by those students who are either IB certificate students or IB diploma
students who do a self-study A1 course in their mother tongue. In A2 English, the
emphasis is on the methodology and techniques of producing different forms of texts.
This course is divided into two clear areas: topic options and literary options.
Students study three (SL) or four (HL) options. Topic options include such themes
as "Media and Culture" and "Global Issues" through the use of media such as newspapers,
film and the web. They will study such texts as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper
Lee, the play Master Harold and the Boys by Athol Fugard and Things Fall Apart by
Chinua Achebe. Their assessment takes the form of written external examination papers
(an essay and a comparative commentary), oral examinations and written coursework.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Ms. Robyn Spicer
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 244 or Email:
rspicer@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
English Literature
Aims and philosophy
The aims of the Literature programme at EIS-Jumeirah are to encourage an appreciation
of literature and to develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary
criticism. Students develop an understanding of how to read critically and discerningly
and also develop the ability to write and speak accurately, persuasively and with
confidence in their own judgment. Students are introduced to a range of literary
works of different periods, genres, styles and contexts with the aim of broadening
their perspective through the study of works from different cultures and languages.
Students are encouraged to develop a life-long interest in, and enjoyment of, literature
and good non-fiction writing.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7 – 9:
Students in Grades 7-9 do not take a separate literature course. Instead, the aim
of the Grade 7-9 English programme is to prepare the students for the demands of
the IGCSE Literature course. Students are, therefore, exposed to a range of good
writing -fiction as well as non-fiction. All students study at least one novel in
detail as well as shorter works within a specific genre. In Grades 7 and 8, students
are taught how to express an opinion on literary works, using the texts they study.
In Grade 9, the students are taught how to write a literary essay by answering a
specific question and using close allusion or quotation to support their answers.
Grades 10 and 11: Edexcel IGCSE English Literature (4360)
The English Literature course includes an element of written coursework as well
as an external examination in the final term of Grade 11. The coursework is based
upon the poetry anthology provided by Edexcel, and the examination tests responses
to the prose and drama texts they have also studied. As of 2007, all students study
A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, and either Pride and Prejudice by Jane
Austen or Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. If there is time,
some classes might also study all or part of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Grade 12 and 13: IBDP A1 English
English A1 is a World Literature course for students for whom English is their ‘first
language' or the language in which they are most competent. In view of the international
nature of EIS-J, the study of World Literature is important because of its global
perspective. The programme does not aim to cover the history of literature or the
‘great works' but to enrich the international awareness of students. This programme
encourages students to explore the means used by different authors to convey their
subjects. Students develop an understanding and appreciation of the relationships
between the different works studied. Through English A1, students develop the ability
to engage in detailed analysis of written text. The assessment takes several forms
over the two years: two written papers (an essay and a commentary), a formal oral
examination, an oral presentation and written coursework. The students are also
expected to write a commentary based on unseen passages. This course is available
at either higher or standard level.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Ms. Robyn Spicer
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 244 or Email:
spoole@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
French Language
Aims and philosophy
The Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Department aims to make students proficient in
the use of one or more foreign languages. This implies aiming not only at linguistic
competence but also at an understanding of the target culture. The knowledge of
foreign languages is a must and we encourage our students, many who are already
bilingual, to discover another language and culture. Students progress individually
and through group activities and develop different competences which will be useful
in their adult life. Learning about other cultures helps the students to understand
the world better but also to develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture.
They learn self-confidence and to have an open, critical and creative view which
develops the ability to communicate, understand, live and work with people from
other countries and cultures.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 7- 9: French Language
All students in Grades 7-9 follow a three-year programme of discovery of the French
language which lays the foundation for all further studies in French. A student
will then be able to enroll in the IGCSE French programme and continue with the
two-year IBDP French. Students learn to express themselves and understand dialogues
on daily life.
The grammar covers verbs in the present, future and past tenses. They acquire progressively
more vocabulary through situations of interest to teenagers as well as through learning
about French cultural facts and civilization. Writing skills and composition are
stressed.
The programme of study includes all four elements of language acquisition:
- Listening: The student will be able to understand greetings and instructions, questions
on personal and everyday matters, clearly spoken conversations, interviews on topics
within their experience, identify important facts, messages and ideas in conversations.
- Speaking: The student will be able to have good pronunciation and intonation, memorize
and act out some dialogues, find out and give information, reply to questions, cope
confidently with everyday situations, take part in conversation, express ideas clearly.
- Reading: The student will be able to read aloud with a good intonation, understand
short texts, poems and songs, read independently, understand the gist and detail
of a text, read with appropriate expression.
- Writing: The student will be able to respond in an appropriate form to simple questions,
give simple descriptions and express personal feelings, write letters, advertisement,
messages, and reports, use key structures and vocabulary for simple communications
and projects.
Grades 10 and 11:
Two courses are offered at this level.
Edexcel IGCSE French 4365
This course is a continuation of the middle-school programme but with more linguistic
difficulties (more complex structures) and much more textual variety. It gives a
deeper knowledge in all areas of language acquisition. Following the IGCSE course
is recommended as the best preparation for the IBDP Higher Level course in French
B.
Edexcel GCSE French 1226
The objectives of this course are to develop oral and written skills through the
communicative approach and include the four main skills: speaking, listening, writing,
and reading. Five main topics are covered for GCSE French as well as various grammatical
points. The five main topics are everyday activities, personal and social life,
the world around us, the world of work and the international world. Role-play in
each unit helps the students to develop their communicative skills.
The course is offered at two different levels: Foundation for beginners and Higher
for students having studied the language for 2 to 3 years.
Grade 12 and 13: IBDP French Ab Initio and French B
Two different courses are offered at IBDP level.
French ab initio
The French ab initio course is for beginners, i.e. students who have no previous
experience of learning the language. This course is only available at standard level.
Individual and group oral work includes expression on the basis of pictures or comics,
discussion of short texts and easy newspaper articles reflecting the interests of
this age group, such as friendship, mass media, youth, delinquency, leisure pursuits,
school and university, the professional world and important issues in current affairs.
Vocabulary is built through the study of the above-mentioned topics and more systematically
with the help of a vocabulary book. Reading and comprehension work is based on a
programme of vocabulary and grammar.
French B
The French B course is intended for students who have had some previous experience
of learning the language. This may be studied at either higher level (HL) or standard
level (SL). By the end of the course, students have a solid knowledge of the linguistic
standards as well as an insight into contemporary French of everyday life and civilization.
They can understand and comment on people's opinions speaking in a conversation,
on the radio or during a TV debate of general interest. They can analyze an article
from a daily newspaper or an extract from a book written in informal or formal language.
Centers of interest develop from the students' personalities and their concerns
about the 3 themes of study designated for the IBDP examination: leisure, groups
and change. The topics studied include social relationship, leisure time, the world
of education and work, health, social and economical issues, society and cultural
issues, media and communication, politics, environment, science – research and ethical
issues.
Outside the classroom
DELF Examination: The French teachers prepare the
students for the external DELF examination. The DELF examination is organized by
the French Ministry of Education. It is the official French proficiency exam just
as the 'TOEFL' is for the English language and it is recognized by all European
universities as well as by the Canadian and Australian ones.
Field Trips: The Modern Languages Department organises
many activities to stimulate the students' interest and improve the learning of
the language. These activities include: Food Tasting in a French restaurant, excursions
at the French Alliance for various exhibitions, participation in interschool competitions
in French, field trips to the French film festival as well as a trip to Paris to
experience the culture and the language.
Clubs: These include: music and cine club, some cooking
classes, organisation of the Francophonie Week (celebration of all French speaking
countries), writing short stories.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department (French and Spanish), Mr. Jamel Belfaquih
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 282 or Email: jbelfaquih@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
Italian Language
Aims and philosophy
The Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Department aims to make students proficient in
the use of one or more foreign languages. This implies aiming not only at linguistic
competence but also at an understanding of the target culture. The knowledge of
foreign languages is a must and we encourage our students, many who are already
bilingual, to discover another language and culture. Students progress individually
and through group activities and develop different competences which will be useful
in their adult life. Learning about other cultures helps the students to understand
the world better but also to develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture.
They learn self-confidence and to have an open, critical and creative view which
develops the ability to communicate, understand, live and work with people from
other countries and cultures.
Curriculum by year-group
Grades 10 and 11: Edexcel GCSE Italian (1237)
The objectives of this course are to develop oral and written skills through the
communicative approach and include the four main skills of any language: speaking,
listening, writing, and reading. Five main topics are covered for GCSE Italian as
well as various grammatical points. The five main topics are everyday activities,
personal and social life, the world around us, the world of work and the international
world. Role-play in each unit helps the students to develop their communicative
skills.
Grade 12 and 13: IBDP Italian Ab Initio
The Italian ab initio course is for beginners, i.e. students who have no previous
experience of learning the language. This course is only available at standard level.
Individual and group oral work includes expression on the basis of pictures or comics,
discussion of short texts and easy newspaper articles reflecting the interests of
this age group, such as friendship, mass media, youth, delinquency, leisure pursuits,
school and university, the professional world and important issues in current affairs.
Vocabulary is built through the study of the above-mentioned topics and more systematically
with the help of a vocabulary book. Reading and comprehension work is based on a
programme of vocabulary and grammar.
Outside the classroom
The Modern Languages Department organises many activities to stimulate the students'
interest and improve the learning of the language. These include a food tasting
trip to an Italian restaurant. There has been an exchange with an Italian school
in Italy to experience the culture and the language. Music and cinema clubs as well
as some cooking classes are available.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Mr. Jamel Belfaquih
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 282 or Email: jbelfaquih@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)
Spanish Language
Aims and philosophy
This academic year is the second year that the Spanish language is being offered
in the High School and presently is only available to Grade 12 and 13 students.
We are planning to introduce the option of Spanish Language throughout Grades 7
to 13 in coming academic years. As with learning any language, learning about other
cultures helps the students to understand the world better but also to develop a
strong sense of their own identity and culture. Students learn self-confidence and
to have an open, critical and creative view which develops the ability to communicate,
understand, live and work with people from other countries and cultures.
Curriculum by year-group
Grade 12: IBDP Spanish Ab Initio
The Spanish ab initio course is for beginners, i.e. students who have no previous
experience of learning the language. This course is only available at standard level.
Individual and group oral work includes expression on the basis of pictures or comics,
discussion of short texts and easy newspaper articles reflecting the interests of
this age group, such as friendship, mass media, youth, delinquency, leisure pursuits,
school and university, the professional world and important issues in current affairs.
Vocabulary is built through the study of the above-mentioned topics and more systematically
with the help of a vocabulary book. Reading and comprehension work is based on the
programme of vocabulary and grammar.
Further information is available from:
Head of Department, Mr. Jamel Belfaquih
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 282 or Email: jbelfaquih@eischools.ae)
Deputy Principal – Curriculum, Ms. Amber Singh
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext. 290 or Email:
asingh@eischools.ae)