Page 32: Tips to help plan for EAL learners ...
I am currently working on a really exciting project! Through one of my assignments, I have had the amazing opportunity to be paired with a school in Thailand, working alongside them to produce a variety of high quality EAL resources. Through discussion with the staff in Thailand, I am making an EAL vocabulary scheme to support the progression from EYFS into key stage one. Through this project, I have decided upon a selection of key vocabulary for each word group, tailored to the specific needs of their learners. Alongside these word lists, I am creating flashcards and lesson plans to support the delivery of the learning. I am really enjoying working on this project and established a deeper understanding for pupils with EAL (English as an additional language) and the ways that these pupils learn.
Today, I have concluded on a few tips on planning for EAL learners. This is only a brief opening into the topic. It can be delved a lot deeper and the areas you can take and adapt your learning for EAL pupils is exciting. Today I will share my key findings so far.
Top lesson planning tips for EAL learners:
1. Be Visual
For a children learning a new language at any age, at times it can be definitely seen as daunting and challenging. When pupils are responding to new knowledge, the use of visual aids are amazing. As simple as a flashcard pictures, pupils are able to relate this known item in their own language, with the picture prompt helping with the English learning. Flashcards are commonly seen as a valued EAL resource, but it is equally as important to draw on physical objects pupils are able to touch and create this connection and memory to help consolidate the language acquisition taking place.
2. Build up from basics
English is a difficult and tricky language to learn. There are many odd rules and anomalies here and their and it is not as simple as just following a pattern. Even down to just the past and present tense learning words similar but different - it can be overwhelming. Whatever year the EAL learner is in, it is vital to start from the basics and build up slowly. An effective pattern of learning, becoming confident, learning new whilst consolidating the old is successful to ensuring the process of transferring new words into pupils longterm memory.
3. Support and encourage other spoken language
It is vital for pupils to feel comfortable and confident in their classroom. Drawing and encouraging the language and culture of the pupils other language is key for reducing anxieties and opening up communication in both their language and the new English to be learnt. In addition to supporting the English learning by using visuals aids to link the languages, it will also aid transition into the school.
It has been lovely to start a reflection on my project and sharing some EAL tips with you. I am eager to share more elements of my project when completed to explore my key words and lessons.
EAL learners are incredible. They are an essential member to any classroom for you the teacher and their peers. They can share elements such as language and culture. In particular this is great for example when a KS2 pupils joins the school new to the country and language. Using the learners language and culture helps incorporate them into the school routine and expectations, and them having the power and sharing their knowledge with peers, lays foundations to help solid friendships to be built. We have got to the end of the page without me even mentioning how clever these pupils are! They are learning a whole new language on top of the other language. Learning language and aqusistion is so challenging so my hat goes off to the amazing support and progress of all EAL learners. I will end today's page with a quote summing up how vital it is to never put the learning of English over any other language. It is a teachers role to support the learning and development, sharing how vital both are.
"No one should have to learn one language and culture over the other because having both is undeniably better than none" - Unknown
- Miss Yeoman
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