We understand that our pupils are all learning English at different stages and this is reflected in the adaptations and inclusive practices that underpin our approach to teaching and learning. We use effective systems to assess and develop pupils' proficiency in English alongside classroom practices informed by high-quality research.

We want all of our pupils to achieve fluency in English – both at a social and an academic level and we value the extent that families contribute to this.

Our EAL team works to support pupils at every stage of their academic journey. This support structure includes, but is not limited to:

• Supporting pupils as they settle into our school.

• Focused teaching and interventions to ensure pupils have the opportunity to learn and develop their language skills with the support of expert staff.

• Inclusive classroom environments that provide good language role models, immersion in English and the opportunity to learn in a language-rich setting.

• Support from peers to ensure pupils feel included, valued and celebrated as a member of our school community.

• Training for staff to ensure they feel equipped and empowered to support pupils in their English learning experience.

There are lots of valuable online resources that can help support learning English as an additional language, but we also recognise and value the contributions families can make to developing pupils' skills in home languages. A strong knowledge of the home language is absolutely crucial in developing pupils' sense of their identity and accelerates their progress in learning English.

• help the child to learn some useful phrases (Where is… What’s that?.. I want..) and the routines of the classroom so they can communicate with the peer group
• use circle time to model responses
• provide lots of books in various languages including the pupil’s home language
• use the home corner to reflect aspects of the pupil’s culture and to provide objects and toys to familiarise the pupil with the new local culture
• talk with the other pupils about the different languages spoken
• invite speakers of the pupil’s language and others to come in for story telling activities
• learn some words in the pupil’s language, including the basics such as yes, no, thank you, hello, goodbye, numbers and colours
• use dual language texts and if possible, taped stories in English and the learner's language (older bilingual pupils in the school or adults may be able to help record stories)
• plan pair and group activities inclusive of the new learner and proficient monolingual English-speaking pupils
• use lots of photographs and provide visual aids through story props, magnetic cut outs, puppets, masks and dressing up clothes (including positive images that reflect the new pupil’s background) to stimulate talk and promote vocabulary development
• provide dual language or multilingual signs around the nursery or classroom
• provide lots of ‘hands-on’ experience, so the children can learn the new language through participating in activities that support their cognitive development
• use small group activities as a basis of one-to-one talk with the child so that you have something stimulating and meaningful to talk about
• think-aloud’, that is, talk through your actions and use gestures as you introduce and participate in a new activity
• ensure that adults use a variety of question styles to encourage the pupil to use a variety of language functions
• allow at least 10 seconds of ‘think time’ for children when they are asked to answer a question
• accept that there may be a period of non-verbal communication on the part of the pupil; the pupil will be observing, listening and learning during this silent period time
• use a home-school book to communicate with parents
• invite parents into the classroom to read to their child in their first language

Download these short, easy to understand guides for parents of students who use English as an Additional Language (EAL) on how to get involved in school life and help their child to learn. The guides are available in the 22 most commonly used first languages in UK schools.

	EAL Parents Guidance: Helping Children Learn
	Guidance for parents of students who use EAL: About the English education system
	The Bell Foundation EAL Resource Library
	Teaching Resources
	The Bell Foundation offers a range of free resources to support EAL teaching and development within schools.
	Guidance Resources

This resource includes links to the Foundation's award-winning EAL Assessment Framework for Schools, Support Strategies and digital EAL Assessment Tracker for use in primary settings

On this page you will find links to The Bell Foundation’s award-winning EAL Assessment Framework for Schools, Support Strategies and digital EAL Assessment Tracker for use in primary settings. Also on this page are videos which provide guidance on how to use these resources.

EAL Assessment Framework - Primary Schools

Advice an guidance leaflets in different languages.

	Bringing up Your Child Bilingual - English
	Bringing up Your Child Bilingual - Polish
	Bringing up Your Child Bilingual - Russian
	Bringing up your Child Bilingual - Romanian

Learn how to support multi-lingual children and make learning opportunities that are not dependent on the child’s English ability.

DfE English as an additional language (EAL)

Please select the document below.

Understanding the Steps of Learning for Children with EAL in the Early Years

[pdf 4MB]

English as an additional language learners will have differing educational experiences and may be:

• newly arrived in the country
• refugees, asylum seekers or economic migrants
• from established ethnic communities born in the UK

The English as an Additional Language Team can provide advice, guidance and resources to support schools and settings to build their capacity to meet the needs of this vulnerable group.

With our support you can develop your inclusive practice in order to welcome and celebrate the cultural diversity of your school community and ensure that your English as an additional language learners access an appropriate curriculum and make progress.

EAL - Children First

These guides are for parents/carers to help them understand and be able to use the same strategies at home as teachers use in schools.

Our teachers, classrooms and courses encourage children to experiment with language, build confidence and improve their communication skills in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment.

	British Council for Teens and Kids
	Learning Time With Timmy
	The British Council and Academy Award®-winning Aardman animation studios bring you Learning Time with Timmy. This innovative learning experience includes courses, apps and a video series to help children aged two to six learn English.
	Learn English Kids
	LearnEnglish Kids is brought to you by the British Council, the world's English teaching experts. We have lots of free online games, songs, stories and activities for children. For parents, we have articles on supporting children in learning English, videos on using English at home and information about English courses for your child.
	Learn English Parents
	In this section you'll find lots of expert advice about helping your child learn English. You can search our hundreds of free online English games, songs, stories and activities here and find more information on our apps for mobile phones and tablets.