International Schools
HELP International School
The Hamilton International School uses FlashAcademy® to boost English proficiency and confidence in their EAL students, leading to better classroom engagement and academic performance.
Get to know Hamilton International School
With over 80 nationalities and 13 languages, The Hamilton International School embraces a rich diversity of student backgrounds and cultures. The school’s multicultural environment provides a unique learning experience with a global perspective among students.
Located in Doha, Qatar, The Hamilton International School is an inclusive mainstream school and a member of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a UK-based company that owns 84 schools within 23 countries across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. This extensive network enables The Hamilton International School to leverage global educational practices, benefiting its diverse student body.
Breegeen Doherty, Head of Inclusion, embraces the diversity of the school’s cohort, telling us, “At Hamilton, we celebrate the uniqueness of each of our students and aim to identify and support all of their needs.” This commitment to inclusivity is evident in the school’s approach to education.
Addressing the EAL challenge
Ian Rinaldi, Head of Primary, acknowledges the linguistic diversity within the school, “Here at Hamilton, we have students who speak two, three, four and even five different languages.”
This multilingual environment, while enriching, presents significant challenges for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students. Many EAL students are initially hesitant to actively participate and speak in the classroom. Reluctance to engage in verbal communication can hinder language development, making it crucial for the school to find effective ways to support these students.
Dalia Aljaibat, EAL Specialist, emphasises the school’s focus on inclusivity, “Our focus is on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students can build on their language skills and multicultural experiences.” The school aims to make every student feel valued and supported, regardless of their background.
Finding the solution in FlashAcademy®
Since opening The Hamilton International School in 2019, it was important for the school to find the best resources to support their EAL students both at school and at home. Their quest to find an effective tool led them to discover FlashAcademy®, a platform specifically designed to accelerate English language acquisition.
Dalia recounts the process, “FlashAcademy® was recommended to us as a valuable platform and, upon exploring its features and benefits, we were convinced that it would be a great addition to our resources.”
The school has since integrated FlashAcademy® throughout the entire school. Ian emphasises its central role, “FlashAcademy® is at the heart of our curriculum.” This integration ensures that language support is not an add-on but a core part of the education experience for all students.
FlashAcademy® is particularly beneficial for students who struggle with language acquisition, building vocabulary, reading and listening skills, and overall English proficiency.
One standout feature is voice recording: students can record their voices and listen to themselves as they speak in English. Dalia notes, “This feature was transformative as it boosted their confidence. When students could hear their progress and improved pronunciation, it motivated them to speak more confidently in class.”
Increased confidence and willingness to participate in verbal activities not only improves language skills but also enhances overall classroom engagement. Dalia adds, “FlashAcademy® is a valuable tool for boosting students’ confidence and promoting engagement in the learning process.”
Games within FlashAcademy® make learning fun, engaging and capture students’ interest. Ian praises this aspect, “It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s personalised and the interface is premium.” This engaging format helps to maintain students’ motivation and interest in English language learning.
The school has extended access to the app to parents, allowing them to monitor their child’s progress and provide additional support at home. This holistic approach ensures that learning continues beyond the classroom.
Measuring the success of FlashAcademy®
The Hamilton International School has observed a notable improvement in EAL students’ language proficiency and confidence in using English. Sobia Sarwar, an English teacher at the school, highlights the impact, “Their engagement in the learning process has increased, leading to better academic performance across various subjects. It is evident that students require fewer 1:1 EAL sessions.”
FlashAcademy® provides valuable insights into each student’s strengths and areas that require improvement in skills like reading, listening, writing and speaking. Dalia explains, “This data allows us to set clear objectives on how to progress from their current band level to the next.”
Sobia adds, “FlashAcademy®’s ease of creating, accessing and interpreting data has made it convenient to provide clear and transparent information. We have shared this data with parents during parent-teacher meetings, enabling them to closely monitor their child’s development.”
This data-driven approach also allows the school to effectively communicate progress and outcomes to various stakeholders, including teachers, school leadership and external evaluators.
Looking ahead to the future
Ian is optimistic for the future and committed to FlashAcademy®, “We are delighted with the outcomes that we are seeing.” He adds, “We firmly believe that every single one of our students is going to thrive when they leave our school.”
FlashAcademy® looks forward to continuing our work and progress with the EAL students at The Hamilton International School. Together with the school’s committed EAL tutors and staff, we will ensure that all students can achieve their full potential and find success both within and beyond the classroom.
