"Promoting diversity, inclusion and equality for all children"
Registered Charity No. 1023528
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Helping Children with EAL to Learn English
Many children under five come from homes where English is not spoken. This doesn't mean they have no language skills - they probably
have a well-developed first language. Attending a pre-school group is a valuable opportunity for children to learn English in a meaningful
context. At the same time having children with EAL (English as an Alternative Language) in your group can enrich the experience of
all the children in your group.
It is important to show that you value and respect children's home language. You can do this
in the following ways:
- If possible encourage children to use their home language for part of the time by putting them with other children/helpers who speak their language. This helps children, especially new-comers, feel more secure and confident. In groups of all English speakers, children may be hearing lots of English but feel dominated and become withdrawn.
- Invite
parents or other relatives into the group. They could read or tell stories to small groups in their mother tongue. As well as being enjoyable and confidence-building for children with English as an additional language, it enriches all children's experience of other languages and story cultures. (Parents may not feel confident about this type of activity at first. It is important that they feel welcome in the group without feeling obliged to 'perform').
- Teach the children how to count in the languages of all the children in the group. Parents could help too, showing children how numbers are written and how their child's name is written in their language. Writing in home languages can form part of your displays, showing everyone that these languages are value.
- Try to ensure that your book collection includes some with dual language texts. This shows children with EAL that their language is important and widens the understanding of all children. Many picture books, including the 'Spot' series (Eric Hill) are now available in dual text versions. STAR hold a large collection of dual language books.
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