Some simple tecniques to help EAL students settle in their first year along with some theory of EAL.

1. EAL
English as an Additional
Language

2. Objectives
• To raise awareness about EAL pupils
• To make the difference between the
different types of EAL learners
• To know how to help and support EAL
learners access the curriculum in the
classroom.

3. The big guy: Cummins

5. For us = no quick fix!

6. EAL=SEN=NO!!!
• Cognitive ability is not the problem
• Language is the only barrier to accessing
the curriculum
• Some EAL may be SEN, but the rule is to
wait at least 6 months before testing.
• It is an asset to speak more than one
language.

7. Two types of EAL learners
• Newly arrivals: come to us with very
limited or no English.

8. • Advanced learners: they have been in the
country for a number of years (at least 2-3).
They sound fluent, pronunciation is good.
They use different languages in different
context: home=first language,
school=English. They have learned to
switch from one to the other. They have
adapted to the culture, they know the social
rules.

9. General tips for newly arrival
EAL pupils
•Sitting plan: close to front, but not
at the front; buddy them up with
someone who shares the same first
language (if possible) for the first 6
weeks.

10. • After 6 weeks pair them with a strong
English peer model.
• Visuals: pictures, photos, gestures, signs…
• Questions: closed! Simple Yes/No.
• Reading activity: highlight the words they
know. Read text 3 times.
• Simplified version needed? Differentiation.
• Key words: list, translation…

11. • DO NOT PANIC!!! If he/she isn’t offering
any English. Silent period can last up to a
year.
• They are learning more than you think!!!
It’s a lot better for them to be in your lesson
than one to one.

12. What do I do?!
• I have a first one-to-one assessment.
• I refer them to County, EAL specialist then
assesses their level in English. I pass on the report
to staff.
• GCSE Polish, Greek, Russian, Portuguese,
Bengali and this year Cantonese and Mandarin.
• No exams for Latvian, Lithuanian, Hindi…

13. • Ran different cultural projects
• Others: I have ran different projects with
most of them at some point.
• Meeting once a month with EAL co-
ordinators from Bridgwater.
• Starting to work with English department.