One size does not fit all....
What do I do with a new arrival in my classroom who doesn’t understand anything I say in English?
- Remember that the new arrival is very anxious and frightened of doing the wrong thing. This is a pupil who needs to feel safe and included before learning is possible.
- Bear in mind that it will probably be at least five years before this pupil can achieve as well in English as in the first language.
- Check any background information the school has:
- Is this pupil literate in another language?
- How much experience of school does the pupil have?
- Where is the best place for the pupil to sit in your classroom?
Creating a successful welcome process for EAL pupils in a primary school
According to the DfE, 6% of EAL learners in English state schools are recorded as A - New to English
DfE (2020) English proficiency of pupils with English as an additional language
Hear first hand how other schools successfully support new arrivals...
Welcoming international arrivals in a secondary school
How new arrivals can be successfully supported by other EAL pupils
How can we help?
Whether you are just getting started with your EAL strategy or have an established approach which just needs some tweaks, we can help.
From our popular EAL Handbook and online courses, to our bespoke training and consultancy, we have the experience and tools to help.
"The series of courses, as well as the in-house tailored support have enabled our Academy to critically review its practice and processes to such an extent that we are now in a much stronger position to receive new arrivals, monitor and track their progress as well as support teaching and learning across the curriculum. Thank you!"
Online courses
EAL Handbook
Our EAL Handbook contains plenty of helpful information and tools to welcome newly arrived pupils and their families.
Admission and induction
– Welcoming parents
– The admission meeting
– Setting up a ‘buddy’ system
– Demonstrating good practice with buddies
– Conditions for learning for newly arrived learners of EAL
– Induction programmes
New arrivals at different phases of education
– The early years
– Language development in the early years
– Key stages 1 and 2
– Non-literate new arrivals
– Speaking and listening with Year Two pupils
– Key stages 3 and 4
– Building vocabulary, developing concepts
– Pupils arriving in Year 11
Free resources
Visit our free downloads library to access these resources
Buddy booklet
Admission meeting guide for new arrivals
Strategies for different types of newly arrived pupils
Conditions for learning for newly arrived learners of EAL
Questions to ask parents of a new arrival
Looking for a university accredited EAL course ?
A six month, part time course accredited by the University of Greenwich. Units include ‘EAL beginners in the classroom’ and ‘Refugees and new arrivals’.
Consultancy
Consultancy
Our consultancy work is grounded in a deep understanding of what makes a school tick in a multicultural setting, rigorous analysis of data, and a thoughtful appreciation of the context…
Training
Training
Our training takes many different forms, all firmly rooted in whole school development, empowering teachers and leaders to effect change throughout the school…
Resources
Resources
As a support to our consultancy and training work, we have a developed a number of resources for teaching staff and schools, available for purchase or to download for free…