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.
At Kestrel Mead Academy we strive to provide good, inclusive quality first teaching for all our pupils. All EAL pupils are therefore encouraged to play as full a part as possible in whole class teaching for them to have genuine access to our creative curriculum. As part of this quality first teaching, we aim to employ a range of teaching strategies that encourage pupil talk and collaborative working, and wherever possible provide opportunities for EAL pupils to use their home language to support their learning in the classroom.
We recognise that some of our EAL pupils will have distinct and additional needs that cannot be met solely through whole-class teaching. Therefore, we also provide differentiated teaching at individual and/or small group levels to supplement their learning and allow them to achieve their full potential.
The progress and attainment of all EAL learners are closely monitored by the class teacher to ensure they are fulfilling their full capabilities. The child’s speaking and listening skills are assessed using the NASSEA Framework.
At Kestrel Mead Academy we believe that clear and purposeful assessment of pupils’ with EAL language levels is essential to inform planning and target setting. Statutory requirements for assessing pupils with EAL are the same for pupils with English as a first language (Communication & Language and Literacy assessment in the EYFS /National Curriculum English attainment levels). In addition, all of our pupils identified with EAL are assessed termly in Speaking and Listening using the NASSEA framework. This enables schools to systematically track their progress and to identify those pupils who require more support and act accordingly.
All teaching staff are expected to complete an initial language assessment in order to determine a child’s current level of English on admission to school. Informal methods of assessment (observation, discussions with parents, self-evaluation) are also in place in classrooms to ensure the needs of all our EAL pupils are being met at all times.
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:
- Read lots of books – make sure you explore the pictures and the story, encourage your child to name the different objects in the picture
- 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.’
- Explore the environment around you – go on walks and talk about what you can see
- Play different language games – snap, pairs, Kim’s game
- Encourage your child to talk as much as they can in English
- Watch and listen to English stories
Useful Links
Below are some useful links to help your child at home:
Subject Champions
Miss Cherry Wibberley
Subject Leader/s
Mrs Lauren Brown
Be The Best That You Can Be