English Support (EAL) in Bali Schools: What Parents Should Ask

Many families move to Bali with children who are confident learners — but new to English.

Schools often say they “support EAL”, yet that can mean anything from informal help to a structured language program. This guide helps you understand what is actually offered and how it affects day-to-day learning.

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Start with the goal: access to learning, not perfect grammar

In the first months, your child’s biggest need is usually this:

• understanding instructions
• participating socially
• accessing the curriculum without falling behind

Ask schools how they balance language development with academic progress.

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Questions that reveal what support really looks like

1) Who provides support?

Ask:

• Is there an EAL specialist teacher?
• Is support in-class, pull-out, or both?
• How many students are supported per specialist?

2) How is progress tracked?

Ask:

• How do you assess entry level?
• How often do you review progress?
• What does success look like after 8–12 weeks?

3) What happens in content subjects?

This is the difference between “helpful” and “transformative”.

Ask:

• How do you scaffold science and humanities vocabulary?
• Do teachers adapt materials or expectations while language catches up?
• Are there bilingual supports (visuals, glossaries, translated instructions) when needed?

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What good support often includes

There is no single perfect model, but strong programs usually have:

• a clear entry assessment
• a short-term plan (first 6–8 weeks)
• a longer-term plan (one term)
• regular communication with parents

For older students, ask how language support works alongside exam pathways.

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How location and curriculum can affect EAL support

Some curriculums are more language-heavy than others. Your shortlist may change depending on your child’s current level and confidence.

Useful hubs:

• Browse curriculums: /curriculums
• Browse age bands: /ages
• Browse areas: /areas

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Fees: clarify whether support is included

EAL support is sometimes included, sometimes billed as an extra.

Ask:

• Is EAL included in tuition?
• If billed, what is the termly cost?
• Is support limited to a number of weeks?

Use these pages for context:

• Fees overview: /fees
• Budget bands: /budget

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A practical way to shortlist

If your child is new to English, prioritize schools that can describe their support clearly.

If you share your child’s age and your area, we can help you shortlist schools that commonly support new-to-English learners.

• Get guidance: /contact