Introduction
At The Roundhill Academy, approximately 20% of our students use English as an additional language (EAL). We are committed to fostering their academic and linguistic success through tailored teaching strategies and appropriate resources.
What is EAL?
The government’s definition of an EAL learner is: ‘A child with English as an additional language is one who was exposed to a language other than English during their early years and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community.’
Identifying Needs
We assess students’ proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing using tools such as The Bell Foundation’s EAL Assessment Framework for Schools. This framework is structured into Bands A to E, representing progressive stages of language development. These bands help us identify each student’s current abilities and ensure a personalised approach to their language learning journey. The EAL lead collaborates with subject leaders to evaluate prior knowledge and identify areas requiring support.
Tailored Support
Each student receives an individualised programme, which may include one-to-one or small group sessions. By aligning support with the Band descriptors, we can monitor progress and adapt teaching strategies effectively. Teachers work collaboratively with the EAL lead and pastoral team to ensure lessons balance language acquisition with curriculum content.
We recognise that a student’s conceptual understanding can often exceed their English proficiency. By maintaining high cognitive expectations and providing appropriate language support, we help them thrive academically.
Monitoring Progress
Progress is regularly monitored using the Bands A to E from the EAL Assessment Framework. These descriptors provide detailed guidance on developing classroom interaction skills, subject-specific vocabulary, and comprehension of spoken and written English. Our aim is to empower students to transition confidently and independently through the stages of language proficiency while excelling academically.
Inclusive Environment
We adopt a whole-school approach to equality of access to the curriculum. This includes creating a learning environment enriched with multicultural and multilingual resources, celebrating world cultural events throughout the school year, and employing a wide range of teaching strategies. Our goal is to ensure every student, regardless of their background, has the same opportunities to succeed.
For further details, please contact our EAL Lead, Mr. N Somani nsomani@roundhill.bepschools.org
