Who is qualified as an EAL student? 

EAL students are those whose first language is a language other than English and who require additional support to assist them to develop proficiency in English. 

English as an Additional Language is a subject at years 10-12 that can ONLY be taken by students who are eligible (Refer to section on strict eligibility guidelines for VCE )

Eligible students undertake EAL instead of English as one of their 5 period block subjects.

NOTE: Students with high level language skills (oral and written)  are encouraged to study mainstream English (Year 7 -10) BUT can pick up VCE EAL at Year 11 or 12 if they are eligible.

EAL students come from diverse, multilingual backgrounds and may include: 

• Overseas and Australian-born students whose schooling has been interrupted and first language is a language other than English

• Students from diverse educational backgrounds

EAL classes are smaller (up to 15) and the tasks vary from the mainstream English course. All classes are taught by specialised and fully qualified EAL teachers who can prepare EAL learners to develop the skills required for VCE and further studies.