English as an Additional Language (EAL) - Junior School

KS1

In KS1 (Years 1 & 2), newly arrived pupils with little or no previous experience in English will directly join their mainstream class where they will quickly be assimilated into the classroom and its language. Class teachers, with the help of teaching assistants, create a supportive environment and provide an inclusive curriculum using specific approaches and strategies to promote English language learning. Young children are encouraged to socialise and interact through planned group activities and games, with classmates who speak English fluently and who are good role models of English language use.

KS2

In KS2 (Years 3, 4, 5 & 6), pupils who either do not speak English, or who have had some limited exposure to the language, join a language support class and follow an intensive English course. They are supported in order to reach the academic level of English needed to follow all lessons in their mainstream class.

...to help the pupil develop English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

After meeting with parents to collect key language and educational background information about the pupil, if necessary, an assessment is taken of the EAL pupil’s level of English to determine their individual learning needs and the most appropriate means of support provision. Our complete EAL policy explains the system of integration for those pupils over their first months at St. Lawrence College.

EAL classes for LKS2 (Years 3-4) and UKS2 (Years 5-6) offer either an intensive full-time programme or targeted support to help pupils develop English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. All activities aim to teach English by linking it to the wider curriculum, so as to prepare pupils for entry into the mainstream classroom.

A buddy system is used to help EAL pupils find their way around, settle in, and make friends.

EAL pupils are further encouraged to socialise with their peers in the mainstream classroom, integrate, learn social language and accelerate their progress in terms of learning English, by immediately joining their mainstream class for lessons in PE, art, music and computing, regardless of their level of English.

Over the course of the year, as their level of English improves and they feel more comfortable and confident, pupils will gradually move into the mainstream classroom for other subjects, such as Maths and Science. There is no fixed time frame or undue pressure for the transition to be made.

During a pupil’s second year at St. Lawrence College, the EAL classes can also offer continued support in building English language skills to those pupils who have fully joined their mainstream class but for whom it is considered excessive to learn an additional language (French/Spanish/Chinese), whilst still trying to master English.

By creating a nurturing, safe and supportive environment, EAL classrooms provide a positive experience, setting every child on the right course and offering them a strong foundation from which they can achieve their full potential.

The EAL teachers help learners become more independent and confident as they transition and adapt to their new school.