At Lathom we provide the following provisions for English as Additional Language (EAL) learners.
- Survival English
- Phonics
- Functional Maths – Stage 1 and Stage 2
- Reading Fluency
- Reading Comprehension
- 1:1 Reading
Survival English consists of 3 stages. Within each stage there are many areas of learning which include phonics and maths too. The learning is centered around organised interaction and speaking is central to the sessions. These sessions consist of activities that are delivered using photos, games, worksheets, stories, track games, oral-retelling, sequencing, and reviewing. Vocabulary work leads to sentence level work and then short, sustained writing if appropriate to the concept.
Handwriting is also encouraged during these stages.
Phonics consists of set 1, set 2 and Set 3.
Children are taught in small groups based on their developing phonological knowledge. During our Phonics lessons, children start by going through the complex speed sound chart and then move on to learn new sounds and apply these sounds by reading RWI books.
During this process children are further supported with Fluency sessions and Comprehension sessions depending on the Phonics stage that they are at.
1:1 Reading sessions are also provided for children in the afternoons depending on the Phonics stage that they are at.
Baseline assessments are administered within the first week of arrival by the EAL team to determine children’s starting point. If children can access the assessment, then based on the outcomes they will be grouped accordingly for English and Maths.
If a child is unable to access the baseline test, then an EAL pre-screening score of less than 50 will mean they join the Survival English group. A phonics assessment score of lower than 50 will mean they will join the appropriate phonics set. An assessment in maths will determine children will be offered the Functional Maths stage 1 or stage 2 until they are confident to join the class.
Teachers and the EAL team plan and teach lessons considering strategies to support EAL learners. In class and in intervention groups where appropriate, pupils are supported to access the curriculum through a range of strategies. Pupils learn independently, as a whole class, in pairs and in groups. Teachers promote an inclusive environment in class, using a variety of learning aids.
Pupils are encouraged to share languages and cultural and religious aspects with their peers to develop awareness of different languages and cultures. The EAL team is committed
to developing their own expertise through external agencies and disseminating information and support to staff through staff training.
How can parents help their children?
At Lathom, we encourage parents to support their children in learning through consistently reading for pleasure and through practising their sounds at home.
Useful Websites
Interactive website to learn vocabulary in English