In these unprecedented times we feel it is important to reach out to our subscribers and offer all the support we can. We have had a number of enquiries about how the provision schools have created so commendably quickly in the last few weeks sometimes overlooks the needs of EAL learners. As part of our current offer to schools, we are offering free 30 minute conversations via Zoom, Skype, Messenger or phone to provide support in this area. To book a meeting call us on +44 (0)20 3488 2700 or email rebecca@theealacademy.co.uk.
In this newsletter:
- explore the new free resources section of our website
- read our response to the latest DfE report on proficiency scales
- find out about our growing range of online courses
- read about the latest school to receive a Gold EAL Quality mark.
Resources you can access for free
We recently added a free resource downloads section to our website. We will update it regularly with subject specific classroom activities and guides and tools for teachers.
We have also been having a look at other free online resources. The best three we came across are:
http://www.collaborativelearning.org/
We also found a great video on how the written word can get in the way of the early stages of learning a language. It echoes one of the themes in our recent blog about learning Russian.
DfE report on proficiency scales
In February the Department for Education released a fascinating report on the EAL proficiency data it collected between 2016 and 2018. One of the curious things it tells us is that the number of EAL pupils across England appears to fall substantially in Year 7.
You can read the first part of our response to this report here.
More of our courses go online
Our Online EAL course, accredited by the University of Greenwich, is now in its eighth year. We will welcome a new cohort in June. Email us to request an application form. Over the course of this term we will also be making many of the delegate courses we have run in London and other locations available online, starting with one of our most popular courses on EAL and SEND. See our website for further details.
Proudly presenting our latest EAL Quality Mark recipient
Shortly before the lockdown began we were very pleased to award the EAL Quality Mark Gold Award to Cauldwell School in Bedford. Read about schools with great EAL practice on our blog.
If you would like to discuss any of our courses or resources, please get in touch (you can email me or call me on +44 (0)20 3488 2700).
Rebecca Smith
The EAL Academy
e: rebecca@theealacademy.co.uk
t: +44 (0)20 3488 2700
w: http://www.theealacademy.co.uk