Have you joined a school that has a significant number of EAL students?

Teaching EAL (English as an Additional Language) comes with its own unique challenges and opportunities.

EAL pupils are a very heterogeneous group and individuals need different

levels of support. It’s important to assess what level of English your EAL pupils are at when they arrive so you can introduce the right level of support and monitor their progress over time.

For instance, children with English as an additional language often need more time settling in at school. Many even go through a silent period before they start speaking English, and they often start speaking more proficiently than teachers expect. That’s because they’ve been listening intensely during that time.

Celebrating their cultural heritage is a vital part of supporting EAL students.

Teaching students who are new to English is not simply about helping them to acquire the necessary language skills, but also about providing an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Ensuring that your library includes children’s literature that celebrates diversity is a wonderful way to do this.

There are many advantages to being bilingual.

Research has shown that maintaining at least two languages is an advantage for later academic achievement.  Students who are learning English as an additional language also bring diversity and a range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds to the education system.

EAL students in the UK represent a wide array of languages, with the most common being Polish, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic, Punjabi, and many others. However, the specific languages represented can vary by region.

Many EAL students face challenges fitting in due to language barriers and cultural differences. When looking for teaching resources, it can help to find literature which encourages fellow students to embrace diversity and inclusivity.

When you join a school with a large number of EAL students, it’s important to ensure you have the resources needed. So, where do you start, and how do you make the most of your budget?

Here at Literacy Hive we want to provide you with access to the latest and best EAL teaching resources.

Many schools introduce specialised language programs, teaching assistants and other resources to aid language acquisition.

Literacy Hive has a whole section dedicated to EAL which is a great place to start. By simply clicking on the EAL button you can pull up a host of resources. Finding the type of teaching support you need couldn’t be easier, with our descriptions including a rough indication of the cost and the key stage the resource is aimed at.

You can search for EAL teaching resources using a variety of filters, including refining by KS, geographical location, and the type of resource you need. As you will discover, our selection covers a range of different support options, from CPD resources and training to lesson plans and teaching aids.

Assessing the current level of your EAL students.

As aforementioned, before getting started, it’s vital to understand the level of English proficiency that your EAL students have. Literacy Hive provides you with a number of assessment tools, including the Bell Foundation’s EAL Assessment Framework.

The Assessment Framework can be used to do your statutory reporting for the DfE, and the are links within the document to helpful classroom strategies that you can use to support your pupils and help them progress to the next stage. And it has the benefit of being free to access.

What types of teaching resources are best for EAL students?

There is lots of research that shows that a pupil’s home language is an important asset when it comes to learning English. Providing some dual language books to pupils can be an excellent starting point.

Other popular and effective resources, which you can find at Literacy Hive, include:

• Ebooks, and audiobooks
• Lesson plans and teaching aids. The Bell Foundation website offers a range of free activities and templates that you can use to create your own resources. Alternatively you could sign up to the EAL Hub to be able to download some ready-made resources. The Widgit platform allows you to create visual resources quickly and easily – from signposting to vocabulary mats.
• Digital platforms. If you have a bigger budget, you might be considering one of the digital platforms to offer some targeted support.
• Projects and programmes, including the Young Interpreter Scheme, an award-winning peer-budding programme that trains children and young people in KS1 -KS4 to welcome and support EAL pupils in their new school environment.
• Celebration Days. On our Literacy Year Calendar you will find a selection of events and celebration days – such as Mother Language Day, A Day of Welcome, or National Storytelling Week – that can be used to ensure EAL students feel welcome and included

We can connect you with teaching resources that encourage inclusivity and teach children positive messages about diversity.

The Children’s Book awards is a great place to find ideas for your teaching curriculum. Book awards that focus on diversity are particularly helpful, including The Diverse Book Awards and the Jhalak Book Awards.

If you’re looking for the best EAL teaching resources, simply get started on Literacy Hive today.