English
From Year 1 to Cambridge: two teachers in every lesson, a native speaker, an English-speaking group and reading using the Synthetic Phonics method.
Hours of English lessons per week
Each book in the pile represents one hour of English a week.
6lessons a week
Year 1
compulsory elective: English through Play
Year 1: 6 English lessons a week (compulsory lessons: 2, compulsory optional lesson: 1, art or crafts in English: 1, conversation with a native speaker: 1, English-speaking after-school care: 1).6lessons a week
Year 2
compulsory elective: Synthetic phonics
Year 2: 6 English lessons a week (compulsory lessons: 2, compulsory optional lesson: 1, art or crafts in English: 1, conversation with a native speaker: 1, English-speaking after-school care: 1).8lessons a week
Year 3
compulsory elective: Synthetic phonics
Year 3: 8 English lessons a week (compulsory lessons: 3, compulsory optional lesson: 1, art or crafts in English: 1, primary science in English: 1, conversation with a native speaker: 1, English-speaking after-school care: 1).8lessons a week
Year 4
1 Grammar, 2 General, 1 Reading, Cultural Studies
Year 4: 8 English lessons a week (compulsory lessons: 4, compulsory optional lesson: 1, art or crafts in English: 1, conversation with a native speaker: 1, Cambridge exam preparation (optional): 1).8lessons a week
Year 5
1 Grammar, 2 General, 1 Reading, Cultural Studies
Year 5: 8 English lessons a week (compulsory lessons: 4, compulsory optional lesson: 1, art or crafts in English: 1, conversation with a native speaker: 1, Cambridge exam preparation (optional): 1).
Apart from preparation for the Cambridge exams, all English lessons are included in the school fees. Every year also has one art or crafts lesson taught in English, and this year Year 3 has an extra primary science lesson in English as well.
English language teaching is central to our programme and is of a very high standard. This is one of the reasons why so many parents choose us and why teachers come to us to gain experience. We have a comprehensive programme that supports all aspects of language acquisition, excellent teachers, a vast array of international teaching materials, an extensive English-language library and, above all, a tried-and-tested educational system that works.
Pupils study the language intensively from Year 1 onwards. In addition to their timetable lessons (we teach the maximum number of English lessons the curriculum allows, including the extra lessons), pupils also have afternoon lessons with an English teacher and conversation sessions with a native speaker (from Year 1 onwards). There is also an English after-school care, lessons on the culture of English-speaking countries and preparation for the Cambridge exams. It is therefore not unusual for a large proportion of Year 5 pupils to achieve A2 level each year, with some deciding to sit exams for B1 level.
Why it works so well here, and what we do differently from other schools
We all work together in unison
Native speakers expand the vocabulary that our regular English teachers then build on in their lessons. English teachers, in turn, work closely with native speakers when selecting conversation topics and grammar games. The English teaching assistant helps to divide the children into smaller working groups and provides digital support for use at home. Parents can borrow teaching materials and portfolios to practise English at home. The children, in turn, have a say in the choice of some topics and have free access to the English library.
Reading is key
We firmly believe that reading is essential if a pupil is to work on their English independently and at their own pace. We devote a large part of our teaching to synthetic phonics – a method that is rare in the Czech Republic but central to teaching reading in the UK and the USA. Our English library contains over 500 titles: books used for teaching reading in the UK (Oxford Reading Tree, Ladybird Read It Yourself, etc.) as well as fiction (Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton).
There are two teachers in every lesson
This allows us to devote even more attention to the children. We divide the children into groups, work individually with those who need a faster or slower pace, and set up activity centres.
Learning at their own pace
We have a vast array of teaching aids and materials which are freely available to the children. This allows them, to a certain extent, to choose their own pace, focus and optional tasks. The oldest year groups work in learning centres, where they choose certain topics themselves.
Support for families
We have put together support for parents and families in the form of supplementary materials for use at home, digital support via Google Classroom, and an open English library. Learning does not, therefore, end with the school day. Children have the opportunity to make use of supplementary programmes, topics and materials for guided self-study.
We love books and project-based learning
Each year group can therefore undertake an English project based on a well-known English book, using the Dalton Plan to learn how to plan and take responsibility for their own work.
English doesn’t end in Year 5
Pupils leaving our school are always at a much higher level than their peers. They can carry on with follow-up English tasks set by our teachers, come to afternoon lessons or continue with online lessons on Google Classroom.
Intrinsic motivation
We foster in children a positive attitude towards language, a love of reading and intrinsic motivation. The vast majority of children are thus able, upon completing their time with us, to continue their education, to approach the further challenges they set themselves with a sense of responsibility, and to make the most of the experience, knowledge and potential they have acquired.
We teach children to read English the way schools in England do
Eight years ago we were one of the few schools in the Czech Republic to start piloting synthetic phonics – the way children learn to read in the UK and the USA. Today we are a model school for the method, and our teachers train other teachers in it across the Czech Republic.
We systematically teach reading using the Synthetic Phonics method in our club for Years 2 and 3. Have a go at it: there’s a dot under each sound, a line under a sound written with two or more letters — and when the sounds are put together, the word is read out.
Read like our pupils
Try it!
English clubs
English Through Play
Year 1included in the fee
A club that offers a playful approach to learning English without using the coursebook employed in classroom English lessons. The sessions are packed with games and activities. There are also dramatisations of stories about Little Elephant and action songs.
Synthetic phonics
Years 2 and 3included in the fee
Systematic teaching of reading and writing using the Synthetic Phonics method, which is used in English-speaking countries. In each lesson, the children will work on recognising and reading ‘high-frequency words’ automatically, and will stick them into their Readers. They will then practise these words using a simple book in which the words are systematically repeated, and watch an animated version of the story on the interactive whiteboard. Finally, they will answer questions about the text and complete a quiz.
Culture of English-speaking countries
Years 4 and 5included in the fee
An entertaining and creative introduction to the culture of English-speaking countries. We’ll explore their history, geography, landmarks and traditions. Group and pair work, conducted entirely in English.
Preparation for the Cambridge Exams
Years 4 and 5, and Years 6 and 7
A course preparing students for Cambridge YLE certificates and higher levels. Systematic tuition and practice tests for Movers, Flyers and Key for Schools. The lessons use the Cambridge textbooks “Fun for Flyers”, and children are prepared for their respective test levels (from A2 to B2).