We value each student's skill and ability to speak one or more additional languages. Specialist English support is available for students who are learning English as a second or additional language. We have specialist teachers who has experience and qualifications in teaching children to transition to a new language and culture.
Effective teaching of students who speak EAL/D is informed by an understanding of the characteristics of EAL/D learning, including students' learning needs and typical pathways of development. The particular challenge for students is that they need to concurrently learn English, learn through (or in) English and learn about English.
While the objectives of the Australian Curriculum are the same for all students, students who speak EAL/D make progress towards these objectives while simultaneously learning a new language and learning content and skills through that new language.
As a result, students who speak EAL/D may require additional time and support, along with teaching that explicitly addresses their language learning needs. Students who have had little or no formal schooling will need additional time and support in order to acquire skills for effective learning in formal settings.
Personalised instruction to support students who speak EAL/D
Students who speak EAL/D require systematic and informed teaching which is mindful of the student’s English language proficiency, in order to build English language skills while simultaneously delivering the content of the Australian Curriculum.
Teachers at Macgregor Primary School achieve this by:
- identifying a student’s level of language proficiency using the EAL/D Learning Progression
- teaching explicitly
- using students’ cultural understandings
- building shared knowledge.
