Get your child exam-ready for IGCSE EAL.
Live, one-to-one online lessons with a specialist EAL tutor, building the academic English your child needs for the Cambridge exam. Book a trial.
Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language.
Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language (EAL) is set by CAIE for students whose first language is not English. It develops reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills needed for academic study and everyday communication.
IGCSE EAL is an internationally recognised qualification for non-native English speakers aged 14 to 16. It sits on the Cambridge pathway and is widely accepted by schools, universities, and employers as proof of English proficiency.
Cambridge grades IGCSE EAL on a scale from A* to G. Assessment covers reading and writing (examined) and listening and speaking (internally assessed or examined), with marks weighted across both components.
CAIE offers the IGCSE EAL examination in the May/June and October/November series each year. Most students in the GCC sit the May/June series after two years of study, though the November series is available for resits or early entry.
A group class can't fix your child's exact gaps.
Lessons built around the real gaps
The tutor identifies exactly which reading sub-skill or writing structure is costing marks and targets it directly, so no session time is wasted on topics already mastered.
Real past-paper technique, every session
Students practise timed past-paper tasks and review the CAIE mark scheme together with the tutor, so they understand precisely what examiners reward.
Parents kept fully in the loop
After every session, parents receive a written progress note, homework tasks, and a summary of what was covered and what comes next.
The qualification that opens academic English pathways worldwide.
Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language is a qualification set by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) for students aged 14 to 16 whose first language is not English. It is taught in international schools across the GCC and worldwide.
Assessment covers reading, writing, listening, and speaking. CAIE grades results from A* to G. The examination is offered in the May/June and October/November series, and strong results support progression to Cambridge A-Level English or other advanced programmes.
Every Tuitional lesson follows the exact CAIE EAL syllabus code the student's school uses. Tutors work through the correct reading passages, directed writing tasks, and summary exercises so nothing in the session drifts from the real examination paper.
What a one-to-one IGCSE EAL lesson actually looks like
Each lesson is built on four dependable stages: recap, teach, apply, review. It keeps every session focused and ensures the student leaves with something.
Book a trial lessonA typical 60-minute session
- 0-5 min
Recap and quick diagnostic
The tutor reviews the previous session's homework and asks two or three targeted questions to confirm what the student has retained and where any confusion remains.
Example: The tutor checks a directed writing task set last session, noting whether the student used appropriate register and organised their response correctly.
- 5-25 min
Teach the target skill
The tutor explains the skill identified as the priority gap, using clear models and real CAIE-style examples, then checks understanding before moving to practice.
Example: Teaching summary writing (Paper 1, Exercise 5), the tutor models how to select and restate relevant points from a reading passage without lifting full sentences.
- 25-50 min
Apply it to past-paper questions
The student works through a timed CAIE past-paper task. The tutor then reviews the response against the official mark scheme, explaining exactly which marks were earned and which were missed.
Example: The student completes a reading comprehension exercise from a May/June Paper 1, then compares their answers to the CAIE mark scheme with the tutor's guidance.
- 50-60 min
Review, set homework, report
The tutor summarises the session, sets a specific written or reading task for the week, and logs notes on progress for the parent update.
Example: Homework is set to write a formal letter (directed writing task) using the register and structural checklist covered in the session.
After the lesson
Parents receive a written session report covering what was taught, the homework set, and the next topic to focus on. The session recording is available immediately via the platform for the student to review at any time.
Four simple steps.
Tell us the goal
Share the syllabus, target grade, and exam date.
Get matched
We match your child to the right CAIE EAL tutor.
Trial lesson
Take a trial session with no obligation to continue.
Start weekly lessons
Book sessions around your family's schedule.
The Cambridge qualification that builds real academic English skills.
Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language is set by CAIE for non-native English speakers aged 14 to 16. It is assessed across reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with results graded A* to G across two examination series each year.
IGCSE EAL is recognised by international schools, universities, and employers worldwide. In the GCC, it is a common qualification for students at British curriculum schools, and strong results support progression to A-Level and beyond.
Why families across the GCC trust Tuitional for IGCSE EAL.
My daughter moved from Cairo to Dubai mid-year and her English writing was really struggling. After just eight sessions with her Tuitional tutor, her directed writing improved dramatically. She sat the IGCSE EAL exam with real confidence and came away with an A.
We relocated from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in January and our son had missed months of EAL preparation. The tutor picked up exactly where the school syllabus was and filled every gap before the May exams. Thoroughly recommended.
I always found summary writing the hardest part of the paper. My tutor broke it down step by step using real past papers and the mark scheme. I finally understood what the examiner actually wants.
Flexible evening sessions made it easy to fit lessons around our busy week. My son's reading comprehension score jumped a full grade boundary in six weeks.
IGCSE EAL tutoring — your questions, answered.
The things parents and students ask us most, in plain language.
?What is Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language?+
Cambridge IGCSE English as an Additional Language (EAL) is a qualification set by CAIE for students aged 14 to 16 whose first language is not English. It assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Results are graded A* to G and are recognised globally.
?How is IGCSE EAL different from IGCSE English First Language?+
IGCSE EAL is designed for students learning English as a second or additional language. It focuses on practical communication and academic language skills. IGCSE English First Language is aimed at students educated in English from an early age and involves more literary analysis.
?What papers are included in the IGCSE EAL exam?+
The CAIE IGCSE EAL examination typically includes a reading and writing paper (Paper 1) covering directed writing, reading comprehension, and summary tasks. An additional listening paper and a speaking assessment are also included, either internally or externally assessed depending on the school's entry route.
?Can my child start IGCSE EAL tutoring mid-year?+
Yes. Tuitional tutors are matched to your child's exact position in the syllabus, so starting mid-year is straightforward. The tutor identifies any gaps from earlier in the course and covers them efficiently alongside current school topics.
?How many sessions per week does my child need?+
One session per week suits most students who are keeping up with school and want steady improvement. Students with a specific exam approaching or significant gaps often benefit from two sessions per week. Your tutor will recommend a realistic schedule after the trial lesson.
?Is IGCSE EAL tutoring available for students outside the UAE?+
Yes. All Tuitional sessions are live online, so students across the GCC and internationally can attend. Tutors are available across Gulf time zones, including from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
Book a trial IGCSE EAL lesson today.
Send us your child's year group and target grade. We'll pair them with the right Cambridge EAL specialist and confirm a session time that fits your family.
- One-to-one live sessions with a CAIE specialist
- Matched to your exact EAL syllabus and exam date
- Flexible scheduling across GCC time zones
- Session recording available after every lesson