Blog
How simplifying text can make a huge difference to EAL learners.
When you have EAL learners in your class it is important to stop and consider how complex something is, whether that be the wording of the LO or a set of questions, the text you are studying which…
What is a substitution table and how can they be used to support EAL learners?
Substitution tables are an effective tool for scaffolding EAL (English as an Additional Language) learners. Substitution tables are a visual tool that helps students to understand the structure and patterns of language. They are particularly useful for teaching…
EAL Questioning Strategies
One area that EAL learners often find challenging is when asked questions during lessons. The reason for this is that it usually happens too fast. Beth Southern offers some questioning strategies that EAL students find particularly helpful. Working…
Bringing the Community In
Around 7 years ago I was Head of EAL in a large inner city academy. We had a diverse catchment area and the local community was brilliantly bustling and varied but this didn’t always make parental involvement particular…
Why it’s crucial to know the English proficiency level of your students…
When I visit schools for consultancy or reviews I always ask schools what their percentage of EAL learners, most schools know this but then I ask what percentage of that figure are Band A, or Band B? This…
Barriers for EAL learners can be felt by both students and their teachers.
English has become a global language, and the ability to speak it is an asset that can provide individuals with numerous advantages in today’s world. This has made it increasingly popular for children to learn English as an…
‘Photo Blooming’ – How one photo can lead to structured writing
Beth Southern, an EAL consultant from near Manchester, explores ways to build the vocabulary and writing confidence in EAL learners within international Summer Schools or mainstream classrooms via the use of images. Today she shares one of those…