English as an Additional Language (EAL)

We work with children and young people between the age of two and 19, who are new to English or who are more advanced bilingual learners, experiencing difficulties in specific areas of language. They advise and support on a wide variety of issues relating to language and culture in nurseries, primary and secondary schools and further educational establishments.

Support for schools

A range of interventions and approaches are offered including strategic and developmental work, capacity building, individual pupil work, small group work, and targeted interventions. The degree of involvement ranges from a single consultation to more detailed individual assessment and discussion with staff and parents/carers relating to outcomes and interventions. Initial consultation sessions are available to help support staff to identify a plan of action.

The work of our team is directly associated with a range of national and local initiatives relating to EAL best practice, safeguarding, and equalities. The team consists of Advisory Teachers, Specialist Bilingual Teachers (Polish, Arabic & Chinese), Bilingual Education Officers and specialist EAL support staff. All of our staff are experienced practitioners with additional training in the area of language development across the curriculum.

The range of work undertaken includes:

New arrivals

Welcoming a new pupil into school and completing a parental interview information sheet.
Communicating with the pupil in the early stages.
Communicating with parents/carers, using an interpreter if required.
Writing detailed reports that highlight areas of need.
Advising on how to include a pupil in your lessons.
Helping a new pupil learn English skills through the curriculum.
Showing staff how to find and use appropriate resources.
Assessing English levels using the NASSEA EAL scales.
Assessing First Language where appropriate
Monitoring progress.
Offering advice on cultural issues, including advice regarding refugees and asylum seekers.

We will also monitor pupil progress and provide first language support where appropriate.

Advanced EAL learners (typically pupils who have been in the UK for a year or more)

We offer the following cultural workshops for primary school pupils:

How EAL pupils can be helped to access curriculum subjects at a more advanced level.
SEN/ EAL concerns.
How to improve language skills.
How to help pupils become independent learners.
Advising on suitable resources.
First language GCSEs.

We offer weekly support packages to target areas of need. These are delivered through a specialist EAL advisory teacher/support assistant working on a weekly basis targeting a specific area of need. We provide support and advice to early years settings to minimise the number of children experiencing delays with their English language development and consequent impact on independence, social interaction, and managing the academic demands of school life.

Cultural workshops

We offer the following cultural workshops for primary school pupils:

Chinese New Year.
Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.
Polish Dragon.
A variety of Arab cultural workshops including Arabic calligraphy, Arab fashion, arts and cultural traditions.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Our team offer workshops for staff development on a range of topics, such as:

The induction of Newly Arrived EAL pupils, including practical activities and strategies.
Improving the progress and achievement of more advanced pupils with EAL.
Strategies for teaching assistants.
Subject-specific departmental training.
Whole school bespoke Inset training.
Training on Arab cultural awareness.

Traded work

Any initial work around New Arrivals is free of charge with subsequent support judged on a case by case basis (some of this work may still be free of charge).
Support of advanced EAL learners is mostly traded and accessed by schools/settings through Service Level Agreements.

Raising Achievement package

This would typically include an initial meeting with staff and parents to identify concerns, an assessment/observation of the pupil in class, and a targeted intervention programme with a follow up evaluation. Costs would be discussed and agreed with school. A typical package would cost £700 for 6 x 2 hourly sessions with an Advisory Teacher or £400 for 6 x 2 hourly sessions with a Bilingual Education Officer.

GCSE First language

A free diagnostic visit is carried out by a member of the EAL Team. If the pupil is already at the appropriate standard for GCSE, the cost would be £260 per language (maximum of 4 pupils) for up to two preparatory sessions and for conducting the speaking test. In cases where a pupil may need extra specialist tuition, a bespoke price will be discussed and agreed with school.

First language assessment

If a school requests a detailed First Language Assessment for a pupil who is an Advanced Learner, this will be discussed with a member of the EAL Team. The assessment can usually be done in a morning at a cost of £150.