Implement a suitable induction programme that ensures new arrivals settle swiftly and engage fully in the school’s community.

FAQs

1. What do I need to put in place in the first month for the newly arrived EAL learner in my school?

– Take a look at the First 6 weeks document in the useful documents section (below).

2. What are the key principles that should underpin provision in the first two weeks of an EAL learner’s time in your school?

– Build the pupil’s language and understanding

– Sit the bilingual pupil next to a sympathetic, supportive pupil who will be a good language role model.

3. How should we support familiarisation with the school building, rules & routines?

– Ensure EAL child is shown around the school and classroom environment by yourself or your TA

– Use a buddy system with your EAL pupil

– Verbally/visually recap rules and routines

4. How should we prepare other students for the arrival of an EAL learner?

– Ensure that you have prepared your class by telling them of background and language of new pupil

– Try setting homework about the country of your new EAL pupil

5. How should we support the development of ‘survival’/social language?

– Allow them to stand back and watch at first – passive language skills develop before active skills.

– Respond to the content of what they say not the grammar.  Accept one word answers and ignore initial mistakes.

– Modelling language choices

– Take a look at the documents in the useful documents section (below).

– Consider the use of Racing to English resources by Gordon Ward. www.racingtoenglish.co.uk

6. How should we support the child socially & emotionally?

– Take a look at the addressing well – being document in the useful documents section (below).

– Take a look at the how the pupil may feel document in the useful documents section (below).

Useful Documents