English at the Heart of the RGS Tradition
Reigate Grammar School has been teaching in English since 1675, long before English became the global language of science, business and higher education that it is today. Across 350 years, RGS has developed a deep institutional understanding of what excellent English education looks like: not simply the mechanics of grammar and vocabulary, but the ability to think clearly, argue persuasively, write with precision and read with genuine comprehension and pleasure.
At RGS Istanbul, that tradition will be at the heart of everything we do. Our students will not merely study English. They will be educated in English, across every subject, every day, in a way that develops genuine fluency and the kind of confident, articulate command of the language that universities and employers the world over recognise and value.
“Since 1675, the Reigate Grammar School has understood that command of the English language is not just an academic skill, it is the foundation of a life fully engaged with the world.”
The Power of Total Immersion
Language acquisition research is unambiguous: immersion works. When children learn in English across every subject, they develop fluency at a speed and depth that part-time language instruction simply cannot match. At RGS Istanbul, students will think in English, debate in English, write essays in English, conduct science experiments in English and build friendships in English with peers from around the world.
This is not a modern pedagogical innovation. It is the approach that the Reigate Grammar School has always taken, and it works.
English as an Additional Language: Supported from Day One
For students who join RGS Istanbul without a strong existing foundation in English, our specialist EAL (English as an Additional Language) programme will provide targeted, expert support from their very first day. Most students who arrive with limited English will be able to participate fully in mainstream lessons within one to two years, as a result of the quality of EAL support and the immersive power that the RGS learning environment will offer.
The Bilingual Advantage: Turkish and English
Many of our students grow up speaking Turkish at home and English at school, and this bilingualism is something we celebrate and actively support. Research consistently shows that bilingual individuals demonstrate stronger cognitive flexibility, better problem-solving ability, and greater adaptability, qualities that complement perfectly the academic and personal development goals of the RGS tradition.
English Proficiency and the University Pathway
Students educated entirely in English at RGS Istanbul will typically satisfy the English language requirements of UK, US, Canadian, Australian and European universities automatically, without additional IELTS or TOEFL testing. This practical advantage, delivered as a natural consequence of an immersive RGS education, saves families time, money and stress at a crucial moment in their child’s academic journey.
Contact our admissions team to learn more about English-medium education at RGS Istanbul.
