Colorful letters spelling ENGLISH on a wooden surface

English

Your child reads and understands English texts, then backs up their own ideas with evidence when they speak and write.

From kindergarten through Grade 3, your child writes English stories; in grades 4–5, explanatory pieces; and in grades 6–11, essays, analytical writing, and research papers.

English classes at a glance

English classes to choose from

*Click to jump to that section.

  • ClassWrite Lab: English writing

    What your child learns
    From kindergarten through Grade 11, your child writes stories, explanatory pieces, and essays in English.
    Go to
    See writing levels by grade

  • ClassAcademic English: Answering questions in school subjects

    What your child learns
    Your child figures out what a school literature, history, or science question is asking, picks evidence from the sources, and writes the answer.
    Go to
    See how your child writes answers for school subjects

  • ClassBook Club: English reading

    What your child learns
    Your child reads English books, answers questions about them, then shares responses and opinions out loud and in writing.
    Go to
    See the Book Club levels

  • ClassLogical Writing

    What your child learns
    Students in grades 9–10 write paragraphs and argument essays with a clear claim and evidence.
    Go to
    See G9–10 Logical Writing

  • ClassLogical Reading

    What your child learns
    Your child reads MAP, SSAT, and TOEFL passages for their structure and finds evidence to choose each answer.
    Go to
    See Logical Reading

  • ClassSpeaking Practice

    What your child learns
    Your child practices answering in English right after listening and works on pronunciation and stress.
    Go to
    See Speaking Practice

Write Lab: What your child learns in each grade

Your child's starting level depends less on grade than on the level they can write at now, judged from the books they read and their recent writing.

*Hover over or tap a card to see the details and its link.

  • GradeK–G1

    Level
    Telling stories through language play (Language Play & Story Foundations)
    What your child writes
    Listens to English stories, talks about their own experiences, then turns words they know into short sentences.
    Grade details
    See K–G1 Write Lab

  • GradeG2–3

    Level
    Writing stories from experience and imagination (Creative Writing)
    What your child writes
    Turns things they've done and imagined into English stories with specific details.
    Grade details
    See G2–3 Write Lab

  • GradeG4–5

    Level
    Organizing information to explain a topic (Informative Writing)
    What your child writes
    Picks information from their reading and writes pieces that explain and compare.
    Grade details
    See G4–5 Write Lab

  • GradeG6–7

    Level
    Essays with a claim and evidence (Academic Writing)
    What your child writes
    Writes essays that link a claim to reasons and evidence, paragraph by paragraph.
    Grade details
    See G6–7 Write Lab

  • GradeG8–9

    Level
    Analytical writing that compares sources (Prep AP - IB Analogical Writing)
    What your child writes
    Compares several English sources, picks evidence, and writes analytical pieces.
    Grade details
    See G8–9 Write Lab

  • GradeG10–11

    Level
    Research papers and college application essays (College Prep-Advanced Writing)
    What your child writes
    Writes academic essays, research papers, and Common App college application essays.
    Grade details
    See G10–11 Write Lab

Students in grades 2–5 put the phrases they've learned to use in essays, debates, and MUN (Model United Nations) Warm-Up. Students in grades 6–11 prepare for TOEFL Writing, research papers, and Common App essays.

Write Lab: English writing and assessment

Writing a full piece in English, from reviewing last class to rewriting

Writing class cycle: review last class; vocabulary, grammar, and structure; plan the piece; write and check; and get written corrections and rewrite
  1. Step: Review last class

    At this step, your child: Goes over homework, assigned reading, and what they got wrong last time through questions or a quiz.

  2. Step: Vocabulary, grammar, and structure

    At this step, your child: Learns how words relate and how grammar works, then studies model writing to see how sentences and paragraphs fit the reader and purpose.

  3. Step: Plan the piece

    At this step, your child: Chooses a form (description, narrative, explanation, or persuasion) and maps out the order with brainstorming or a mind map.

  4. Step: Write and check

    At this step, your child: Writes the piece, then shows what they learned through questions, workbook problems, written answers, and discussion.

  5. Step: Get written corrections and rewrite

    At this step, your child: Fixes sentences and paragraphs based on the instructor's corrections, then rewrites the piece.

The instructor sets the pace of the next class and the balance of review and harder work based on how well your child understood and what they're covering at school.

What your child reads and writes in class

Reading

  • Nonfiction
  • Fiction
  • Drama
  • Poetry
  • Comparing several texts

Writing

  • Descriptive, narrative, explanatory, and persuasive writing
  • Writing about their own experiences and thoughts (Personal Writing)
English passage from a workbook Editing Key with sentence errors corrected in red and a count of errors by type on the right
Workbook Editing Key example with errors corrected and counted by type
A student filling out an English writing worksheet at a desk
A student filling out an English writing worksheet

Extra practice to fill your child's gaps

Your child's classes add practice in whichever area they're weakest in: vocabulary and grammar (Structure), background knowledge (Contents), or citing sources (Application).

Three areas of extra practice: vocabulary, writing forms, and grammar (Structure); social studies and science background knowledge (Contents); and citation, current events, and research articles (Application)
Structure
  • Area: Vocabulary

    Practice materials: Analogies · Sentence Completion

    What your child practices: Works out how words relate and completes sentences with the word that fits the context.

  • Area: Writing forms

    Practice materials: Writing Models

    What your child practices: Reads model writing and tries its form, logical structure, and key techniques in their own writing.

  • Area: Grammar

    Practice materials: Grammar in Use · Paragraph Editing

    What your child practices: Writes sentences with the grammar they've learned, then finds and fixes errors in paragraphs.

Contents
  • Area: Social studies

    Practice materials: Human geography, psychology, economics, world history, US history, European history

    What your child practices: Reads and asks questions about social studies texts to build background knowledge for writing.

  • Area: Science

    Practice materials: Biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science

    What your child practices: Reads about science concepts and phenomena, explains them in English, and finds material to write about.

Application
  • Area: Sources and citation

    Practice materials: Reference & Citation

    What your child practices: Learns how to choose sources for their writing and quote them with proper citations.

  • Area: Current events

    Practice materials: Current Affairs

    What your child practices: Reads and analyzes articles on social issues and works out their own view.

  • Area: Research

    Practice materials: Research Article Analysis

    What your child practices: Finds and reads research papers, sums up the research question, evidence, and conclusions, and uses them in their own writing.

The MAP test also asks about how words and sentences relate and about inference, so your child practices these skills too.

Building up English writing on social studies and science

  1. Write short sentences
  2. Expand to several sentences
  3. Write a longer piece

Social studies and science topics your child reads and writes about in each grade

In Write Lab, your child reads English texts on social studies and science topics and writes explanatory pieces from them, with topics matched to their English level.

Social studies and science topics your child reads and writes about in each grade
GradeSocial studies topicsScience topics
K–G1Family and community, jobs, rules, holidaysPlants and animals, seasons, the five senses, weather
G2–3Maps and geography, world cultures, famous people, goods and servicesHabitats, life cycles, states of matter, the solar system
G4–5Ancient civilizations, basics of government, intro to US history, tradeEarth science, energy and forces, organs of the human body, ecosystems
G6–7World history, citizenship and rights, economic systems, conflict and cooperationBasics of physics and chemistry, cells and genetics, the environment
G8–9Modern history, macro- and microeconomics, global issues, intro to psychologyAdvanced biology, environmental science, astronomy, technology and ethics
G10–11Philosophy and ethics, political science, sociology, advanced economicsAdvanced topics related to a future major, such as neuroscience, basic quantum mechanics, and AI technology
GradeK–G1
Social studies topics
Family and community, jobs, rules, holidays
Science topics
Plants and animals, seasons, the five senses, weather
GradeG2–3
Social studies topics
Maps and geography, world cultures, famous people, goods and services
Science topics
Habitats, life cycles, states of matter, the solar system
GradeG4–5
Social studies topics
Ancient civilizations, basics of government, intro to US history, trade
Science topics
Earth science, energy and forces, organs of the human body, ecosystems
GradeG6–7
Social studies topics
World history, citizenship and rights, economic systems, conflict and cooperation
Science topics
Basics of physics and chemistry, cells and genetics, the environment
GradeG8–9
Social studies topics
Modern history, macro- and microeconomics, global issues, intro to psychology
Science topics
Advanced biology, environmental science, astronomy, technology and ethics
GradeG10–11
Social studies topics
Philosophy and ethics, political science, sociology, advanced economics
Science topics
Advanced topics related to a future major, such as neuroscience, basic quantum mechanics, and AI technology

Textbooks and assessments

Item · Details

Textbooks
Your child uses CGP English, Cambridge Academic Writing Skills, Writer’s Choice, Daily Paragraph Editing, or the Analogies series, depending on their level and goals.
Writing standards
Writing is taught with reference to IB assessment criteria and Oxford and Cambridge teaching methods and materials.
Written corrections
The instructor marks what to fix in source choice, claims, evidence, and examples, and in grammar, vocabulary, and structure. Your child then rewrites.
Assessment
Writing is assessed with a rubric (a scoring guide). See how parents get progress updates
Portfolio
Essays and assessment results go into your child's portfolio, which we look at when deciding what they study next.

More practice outside class

Details

  • PracticeTimed practice
    Details
    Your child practices solving problems within a set time (Time-Limit System).
  • PracticeInstant scoring
    Details
    Your child solves problems on a computer (CBT) and sees automatic scores and analysis right away.
  • PracticeTest-format practice
    Details
    Your child works on the MAP, SCAT, SSAT/SAT, or TOEFL practice sections they need.
  • PracticeReading and listening
    Details
    Your child answers questions on passages and audio clips to check their understanding.
  • PracticeWriting Clinic
    Details
    Your child writes more outside regular classes and gets in-depth written corrections. We'll tell you during consultation whether it's currently offered.
  • PracticeVocabulary
    Details
    Your child learns words through meanings, example sentences, and context, and takes cumulative vocabulary tests.

English for school subjects

Academic English: Writing answers that address what each question asks

Students at British, American, and IB schools write English answers that address what literature, history, science, and social studies questions ask.

Four steps for writing an answer: understand the question, decide on a claim, choose evidence, and structure the answer
  1. Step: Understand the question

    What your child practices: Works out whether the question asks them to explain or to make a judgment.

  2. Step: Decide on a claim

    What your child practices: Decides the main point the answer will make.

  3. Step: Choose evidence

    What your child practices: Picks material from the reading that supports the claim.

  4. Step: Structure the answer

    What your child practices: Puts the evidence and explanation in order and writes the answer.

Your child uses the same steps to choose sources for research papers and writing competitions.

Choosing sources for an answer

  1. Find sourcesSearch
  2. Check whether they're reliableEvaluate
  3. Pick what's neededSelect
  4. Pull them together from their own point of viewSynthesize

The answers your child practices in each subject

The answers your child practices in each subject
Subject or curriculumAnswers practiced
EnglishLiterary analysis and essays
History and humanitiesEvidence-based arguments built on facts and sources
ScienceExplanations of concepts and phenomena, and scientific writing
IB subjectsAnalysis and evaluation answers, and extended responses
AP subjectsFree-response questions (FRQs) and evidence-based responses

From studying model writing to writing on their own

Four stages: learn from models, apply, internalize, and write independently
  1. Step: Learn from models

    At this step, your child: Studies structure guides, writing frames, model writing, and grading criteria to learn how a strong answer is built.

  2. Step: Apply

    At this step, your child: Uses that structure in their own assignments.

  3. Step: Internalize

    At this step, your child: Uses it again and again across assignments until organizing a piece comes naturally.

  4. Step: Write independently

    At this step, your child: Reads a question and decides on the evidence and structure without help.

How assessment results shape the next class

A native English-speaking instructor assesses your child's work. Weak spots get covered again in the next class, and where your child is strong, they move on to harder assignments.

Essay Plan worksheet for organizing an essay from the topic through the introduction, body, and conclusion
Essay Plan worksheet: boxes for the thesis statement and three main points in the introduction; a point, example, explanation, and link for each body paragraph; and a restated thesis, summary, and final sentence in the conclusion.

English: Keeping up in international school English class

As at school, your child learns writing, reading, grammar, and vocabulary together.

What your child learns in this class

  • Reading a level up

    Your child reads texts one level above their current reading level.

  • Argument essays

    Your child writes essays with a claim, evidence, and a counterargument.

  • Written corrections and assessment

    The instructor corrects each essay individually and assesses it against Cambridge and IELTS rubrics.

  • School assignments and competitions

    Your child also prepares school essays, presentations, and entries for the John Locke Institute Essay Competition.

Book Club: English reading

Book Club: What your child learns in each grade

We choose your child's class and books by looking at both their grade and their current reading level.

  • LevelEarly (Pre-K–K)

    What your child learns
    Learning words and phrases from picture books and stories
    At this level, your child
    Learns English words and phrases and practices listening and speaking through picture books, stories, songs, games, and role-play.
    Level details
    See K–G1 Book Club

  • LevelDeveloping (G1–3)

    What your child learns
    Reading easy chapter books alone and writing responses
    At this level, your child
    Reads easy chapter books alone, answers questions about context and plot, then shares responses out loud and in writing.
    Level details
    See G1–3 Book Club

  • LevelIndependent (G4–6)

    What your child learns
    Writing with evidence and discussing books
    At this level, your child
    Reads books with complex plots and vocabulary, then writes and discusses answers to social studies, science, and history questions with evidence.
    Level details
    See G4–6 Book Club

  • LevelCritical (G7 and up)

    What your child learns
    Critiquing advanced fiction and nonfiction, and writing research papers
    At this level, your child
    Critiques the author's intent and context in advanced fiction and nonfiction and prepares academic writing, presentations, and research papers.
    Level details
    See Critical Book Club

Reading logs and writing go into your child's portfolio and are used to prepare essays, research projects, and research papers.

Book Club, step by step

  1. Read ahead and check understanding
  2. Find vocabulary, key points, and evidence
  3. Answer questions and summarize

English classes by goal

*Click to expand the details.

G9–10 Logical WritingTurning ideas into essays with a claim and evidence

G9–10 Logical Writing (Academic Thinking & Writing Lab)

For students in grades 9–10 who know grammar and vocabulary but struggle to turn their thinking into logical writing. They learn the writing basics needed for graded school assignments, AP, IB, A Level, IELTS Academic Writing, and essays for colleges abroad.

Three levels: Thinking Foundations, Building Academic Writing, and Writing Like a Scholar
  1. Level: Thinking Foundations

    What students learn: Separates claim, reason, and evidence; tells fact from opinion; weighs bias and counterarguments; and writes concise sentences.

  2. Level: Building Academic Writing

    What students learn: Writes paragraphs with a topic sentence, evidence, and a concluding sentence, then a full essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion, and gets individual written corrections.

  3. Level: Writing Like a Scholar

    What students learn: Writes source-based argument essays within a time limit and completes a final essay and portfolio.

Practice at every level

Your child decides which evidence best supports a claim and builds background knowledge by reading in social studies, science, economics, and philosophy.

Write, get corrections, revise

Your child writes, gets written corrections, and revises. The instructor points out weak spots in sentence structure, logical flow, use of evidence, and wording, and shows how to fix them.

Overhead view of a student writing with a pen over a textbook with an English passage
A student working on a writing assignment while reading an English passage
Logical ReadingReading for structure and choosing answers with evidence

Logical Reading: Finding the evidence behind each answer

For students preparing for MAP, SSAT, TOEFL, IB, or CAT4 reading, or building a reading foundation before essay writing. Students read for a passage's structure and choose answers based on evidence.

Logical reading in three levels: structure, inference, and elimination
  1. Level: Structure

    What students read forThe main idea, supporting details, and transitions such as However and Therefore

    What students practiceSeparates the main idea from supporting details and summarizes how the text flows.

  2. Level: Inference

    What students read forMeaning that isn't stated directly, and the author's intent, bias, and tone

    What students practiceCombines two or more pieces of evidence from the passage to judge the author's intent, bias, and tone.

  3. Level: Elimination

    What students read forTrap answer choices, time pressure, skimming and scanning

    What students practiceFinds the evidence for the right answer in the passage, explains why the other three choices are wrong, and finishes within the time limit.

The textbook is 501 Reading Comprehension Questions (5th Edition), and the target range is CEFR B2–C1 (upper intermediate to advanced).

Speaking PracticeAnswering in English right after listening

Speaking Practice: Putting thoughts into English on the spot

Fluency Speaking Lab is a speaking class for students whose intonation sounds unnatural or who often stall when speaking, and for students preparing for the PTE or IB exams or applying to colleges abroad or international schools.

Three-level speaking practice: pronunciation and stress, comprehension speed, and answering in English right away
  1. Level: Pronunciation and stress

    Practice: Fixes pronunciation and stress and reads aloud in meaningful chunks.

  2. Level: Comprehension speed

    Practice: Reads and listens faster and repeats sentences right after hearing them (shadowing).

  3. Level: Answering in English right away

    Practice: Practices answering questions in English right after hearing them and takes PTE practice tests.

Speaking without translating in their head

Before practice

  • Putting grammar together in their head slows their speech.
  • Think → translate → speak

Practice goal

  • Understands sentences right away in meaningful chunks.
  • Understand right away → speak right away

MAP and SSAT test prep

A separate one-on-one class prepares your child section by section for MAP (Reading, Language, Math) and the SSAT (Verbal, Reading, Quantitative, Writing). See the lesson order and who One-on-One MAP & SSAT Prep is for

Enrollment

What we'll go over in consultation

What we'll go over in consultation
What to settleDetails
Homework and textbooksHow much homework there is and which textbooks your child will use
Extra written correctionsHow your child can add extra written corrections, such as Writing Clinic

Plan your child's English classes

Tell us your child's grade, school curriculum, and what they find hard right now. We'll recommend Write Lab, Academic English, or Book Club and a level to start at.

See how enrollment works
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