At Kestrel Mead all children with English as an Additional Language (EAL) are taught in an inclusive and stimulating environment. Class teachers use a range of strategies to ensure children with EAL are able to access the learning and curriculum whether they are advanced bilingual or new to English. The children will be able to socialise and interact with their peers who speak English fluently which will allow them to learn the language quickly.

The progress and attainment of all EAL learners is closely monitored by the class teacher to ensure they are dong as well as they can. The child’s speaking and listening skills are assessed using the NASSEA Framework.

Children with EAL will take part in sessions based on Racing to English to help them learn English rapidly and confidently. Click on the link ‘racing to English’ for more information.

Supporting EAL New Arrivals

What do we do to support your child?

Here are some of the strategies we use in school to help children that are New to English:

EAL Buddies

A Buddy will:

  • Speak the same language as the new child if possible (If this is not possible we choose a child that will model good English and is confident and friendly)
  • Make the new child feel welcome
  • Show the new child around the classroom and point out the important places for example: cloakroom, toilets, book bag box
  • Introduce the new child to different friendship groups
  • Explain learning activities to the new child
  • Be a friend and check the new child is happy
  • Feedback to the class teacher

Group activities 

  • We work in small groups to learn in English in different ways with different adults. We like to use story books and creative activities to help us. We practise reading, writing, speaking and listening and Mathematics.

Language of the month 

  • We explore a new language each month by learning key words and using these in different ways. We like to do the register in different languages!

A multicultural school

  • Our school has lots of different cultures and faiths. We explore all of these and make sure the children understand the importance and significance of everyone’s cultures and beliefs. We celebrate all of these faiths in lots of different ways!

Experiences

  • We try to provide the children with experiences they may not have come across so far. We do this through our English themes and the International Primary Curriculum.

Targets 

  • The EAL Team and class teachers work together to track the children’s speaking and listening skills as well as there reading, writing and Mathematics skills. We then set targets that allow the children to take the next steps in their learning.

A language rich environment  

  • As a school we make sure key vocabulary is taught and displayed around the classroom. We use lots of different visual resources to make sure all children can access the curriculum.

The EAL Toolkit  

  • Staff at our school use the EAL toolkit to help them teach New to English children in lots of different ways!

What can you do to help your child at home?

Here are some top tips:

  1. Read lots of books – make sure you explore the pictures and the story, encourage your child to name the different objects in the picture
  2. Use the schools reading strategies – ‘Look at the first letter, make the sound, cross check with the picture’ or ‘Look at the letters, make the sounds, blend the sounds together.’
  3. Explore the environment around you – go on walks and talk about what you can see
  4. Play different language games – snap, pairs, Kim’s game
  5. Encourage your child to talk as much as they can in English
  6. Watch and listen to English stories
Language nut – Please use your child’s log in to explore the website and learn English in a fun way!

Useful Links

Below are some useful links to help your child at home:

British Council – Learn English

ESL Games

Fun 2 Think

ICT Games

How do we support the families of EAL children?

When your child is allocated a place at our school an induction meeting will be arranged and a tour of the school provided.

Each term Parent workshops are held to provide families with ideas and strategies to use at home. We have explored different mathematics games and how to support language and reading.

Keep your eyes peeled for our next workshop!