English as an Additional Language (EAL/ELL)

Introduction Reading Padlet Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5

Introduction
On Friday 15th September, 2023, we were welcomed by Mr Pearce, Principal, at Fairgreen International School to collaborate around the topic of EAL/ELL. 

Support students learning in English, when their mother tongue is different.

With thanks to Leah Vahanian, EAL Lead at Fairgreen and Joanna Galvin EAL Lead at Hartland for working with me to host the first Network Meeting of the 2023/24 Academic year.  Joined by 55 staff from across the Middle East, Leah and Joanna provided us with insight into best practice at their schools.  The purpose of networking is not to lead from the front, but to allow everyone a voice.  Conversation and contribution was rich and new friendships and relationships were formed.

Read on to find out more about the event, and the responses to some of the questions posed.

If you are interested in the next event please follow me on Linked In and we will share when the date and location is firmed up.

 

  • Policy

  • Admissions and on entry assessments

  • Curriculum Support – push in and pull out

  • Parent Engagement

  • Family Support 

  • Parent Teacher Conferences

  • Professional Development of Teachers

  • Learning Walks

  • Individual ELL Plans / Passports

  • Maintaining the ELL Register

  • Tracking of student progress and tracking data

  • Extra curricula activities

  • Social clubs

  • Co-planning / modifications / resources

  • ELL Leadership (team meetings, mentoring, coaching, observations)

  • Learning Support Assistant and Teaching Assistant training

  • Observations of students

  • Resources and Ordering

  • Networking and staying on top of research / bring new things into school

  • Ensuring core IELTS training and strand implementation

  • Delivering or developing interventions (games based and pathways)

  • Qualification routes

  • Exam access accommodations

  • Teaching

  • Celebrating successes

  • Introducing and developing the use of technology

  • Cultural advice and support

  • Cultural and Heritage Celebration Events

  • Teacher Wellbeing checks 

  • Whole staff training by Louise Dawson 🙂
  • ELL Toolkit
  • Strategies for planning
  • Whole staff information leaflets
  • Development of profiles and plans
  • Data tracking systems
  • Identification systems
  • Highlighting responsibilities to staff
  • Edukey used for profiles https://edukeyapp.com/account/login
  • Provision Map used for profiles https://www.provisionmap.co.uk/
  • Inclusion Policy
  • EAL / ELL Policy
  • Exam Access Policy
  • Adaption to Admissions Policy
  • ‘Every teacher is an inclusion teacher’ approach
  • EAL students are not ‘inclusions’ responsibility
  • Capped intake at certain grades due to capacity
  • Recommendation of external support programmes
  • Training for all assistant staff
  • Enabling students to learn alongside their friends
  • Support parents with systems
  • Understand cultural differences for behaviours
  • Third Culture Kids environment and understanding
  • CALA teaching process and approach
  • Visuals are non negotiable
  • Implementing English as a Second Language qualfiications
  • Implementing Home Language qualifications (such as GCSE Russian)
  • Language Weeks
  • Buddy systems between children, families and schools
  • Makaton sign of the week
  • Creating an action plan for development
  •  
  • Welcome emails in Home Language
  • EAL/ELL Family Welcome Pack
  • Coffee / Networking Sessions (support, home strategies, techniques for questioning, materials, progress, phonics training reading workshops, resource explanation)
  • Meet the team events
  • Seesaw App https://web.seesaw.me/
  • Half termly newsletters
  • Half termly follow up meetings (in person if possible)
  • Language weeks
  • International Days
  • Home language social media
  • Inviting parents into school to read to students in their home language
  • Celebrate achievements
  • Multilingual texts in the library and around school 
  • Junior and Senior research centres celebrating diversity
  • Cultural events
  • EAL Parent Committee

Environment

  • Ensure it is language rich (signs, labels, visual timetables, images, work wall, vocabulary lists, displays)
  • Reading corners

Padlet

Join the Conversation – add your ideas 

Click here to open the Padlet

Recommended Reading

Book Cover image with the title an an image of a small new tree whose shadow is a large tree.

Title: Long Term Success for Experience Multilinguals

Authors: Tan Huynh and Beth Skelton

Affiliate Link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EGAQ3f

Price: 189 dirhams

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