The EIC program is designed to meet the needs of the students who are having difficulties with English in the mainstream classroom. The students who come into the program are children who are already members of mainstream classes and therefore already follow the same curriculum as the other children in the school. The aim of the program is to teach the child specific language functions, language structures and vocabulary that will help him or her to have access to the curriculum and be on an equal footing with their peers.

In the current EIC program, students learn English through content with grade level classmates.  The mainstream classes provide opportunities for students to learn and use relevant language in authentic contexts. The EIC teacher works with the mainstream teachers to ensure that students can understand both the language and content in the classroom, as well as participate in the classroom activities. This allows EIC students to successfully meet the outcomes of the AIS curricula. 

As mentioned previously language acquisition needs to be practiced continually. Oral language activities are especially important for the second language learner. This is why AIS have a withdrawal time program with the students to practise spoken language and to give them the opportunity to interact with a more competent speaker of the language other than their peers. By doing this the students are given the chance to use language purposefully.

There is now considerable research to suggest that there are many factors in the academic success of second language learners.

At Ascot we feel that the interactive intensive in-class support and withdrawal time approach works the best.