At LANNA, we are committed to helping all students achieve excellent English language proficiency so they can fully engage with our curriculum.
At LANNA, we are committed to helping all students achieve excellent English language proficiency so they can fully engage with our curriculum. We therefore offer several additional English language development programmes to reach this goal:
For students, who have joined our mainstream classes, but who still need some support with their literacy skills and academic language to reach the UK curricula standards, our school offers Intensive English Support (IES) lessons. These groups are kept small for more individualised support.
To enable students to quickly increase their language proficiency, these IES lessons take place four times a week, during the ‘Modern Foreign Languages’ time slot instead of French, Thai and Chinese studies. IES students will, however, still have an opportunity to learn more about Thailand’s language and culture whilst attending a lesson on Thai Culture studies once a week.
Once a student no longer requires IES, based on the outcome of their assessments and teacher feedback, they too may choose to study a foreign language (French, Thai, Chinese).
Within Secondary, we also offer an Extra English Support Programme with the focus on accessing our rigorous curriculum, accumulating academic English skills and preparing for iGCSE and A Level examinations. Similarly, these Extra English lessons take place instead of Modern Foreign Languages, and once the students are ready to exit this additional support, they may choose French, Thai or Chinese studies.
Some students joining LANNA may require even more help to access the curriculum and to communicate comfortably in English. These students are offered additional twice-weekly After School English Teaching (ASET) lessons which focus on building up basic oracy and literacy skills through the General English development. ASET classes are small and kept to a maximum of 6 students.
For students joining LANNA International School who require additional support to access English-language learning, the Academic English Class (AEC) Programme provides a structured and supportive pathway within our British curriculum.
Designed to help students develop the academic English skills needed for success in an international school setting, AEC combines focused language instruction with meaningful engagement in the wider school community.
Students build confidence in reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary, and grammar while also developing the academic language required to access curriculum content across a range of subjects.
Available in both Primary (Years 3–6) and Secondary (Years 7–9), AEC offers a personalised approach that combines UK-standardised assessments, regular progress monitoring, differentiated teaching, and individualised support.
Students benefit from a broad educational experience that includes Mathematics, English Language and Literacy, and a range of curriculum and specialist subjects, including IPC (Primary), Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, and PSHE.
Over the years, students enrolled in AEC Programme have demonstrated excellent progress in their English language development, academic achievement, and participation in school life. Many have gone on to excel across the British curriculum, achieve strong academic outcomes, take on leadership opportunities, represent the school in competitions and events, and contribute positively to the LANNA community. These successes reflect the programme’s strong focus on developing confident, independent learners with the language skills needed to thrive in an English-medium learning environment.
The AEC Programme builds on this strong foundation while creating even more opportunities to develop academic vocabulary, strengthen curriculum access, and broaden participation across all aspects of school life.
As a pathway to success within LANNA’s internationally recognised iGCSE and A-Level programmes, the AEC Programme equips students with the language, confidence, and learning skills needed to thrive both academically and socially.
I graduated from Lanna School in 2009, and I took with me memories that will be treasured for life.
I didn’t speak any English at all when I entered Lanna School. I had little idea of what I was interested in or what I wanted to achieve in the future. I didn’t even have a positive view of formal schooling. But I found that Lanna School was very different. Teachers here care deeply for students. They know all students by their first name. They help students see the wonders of maths, science, and arts. They make classes really engaging and meaningful. For example, my English teacher went through 33 drafts of my first essay and tirelessly explained to me the essence of essay writing, which is one of the most important skills for academic success. The comments on report cards are by far the longest and most personal I’ve ever seen. In all classes teachers encourage us to explore our interests, hopes and dreams.
The most difficult part about schooling is to make the content meaningful, and to help students grow into confident, committed, and passionate individuals. Lanna School is the place that does just that.
Ann (Class of 2009)
Hong Kong University BSc
London School of Economics MSc
