Developing Provision and Practice for EAL Learners

Course introduction

How can we help EAL pupils access the curriculum, participate confidently and achieve their potential without lowering expectations?

For pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), language barriers can make it difficult to demonstrate what they know, engage fully in lessons and make progress across the curriculum. The challenge for schools is ensuring that pupils develop their English language skills while continuing to access appropriately challenging learning.

This practical, engaging course will equip teachers, teaching assistants and school staff with effective, ready-to-use strategies to support EAL learners in everyday classroom practice.

Participants will explore how to make teaching more accessible through scaffolding, modelling, visual supports, structured talk and collaborative learning, while maintaining high expectations and promoting independence.

The course will also explore how to create language-rich classrooms, build pupils’ confidence in speaking and participating, make effective use of home languages and support the development of both academic language and subject knowledge.

Delegates will leave with practical strategies they can use immediately to overcome language barriers, increase pupil participation and strengthen learning and progress for EAL pupils.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Identify common barriers to learning experienced by EAL pupils and select appropriate classroom strategies to support access to the curriculum.

• Apply a range of practical scaffolding techniques, including visual supports, modelling, vocabulary development and structured talk, to support EAL learners' understanding and participation.

• Plan learning activities that integrate language development with curriculum content, providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

• Adapt classroom resources, instructions and learning tasks to meet the differing language proficiency levels of EAL learners while maintaining appropriate levels of challenge.

• Evaluate current classroom practice and identify at least two achievable actions to strengthen inclusive teaching and improve engagement, participation and progress for EAL learners.

Target audience

Teachers, teaching assistants, ALN/SEN coordinators, EAL coordinators, school leaders and other education professionals working with multilingual learners in primary or secondary settings.

Trainers for this course

Nina Jackson

Nina Jackson is someone who sees the bigger picture and, throughout a long and varied career, has been driven to bring the best out of all children regardless of the issues, challenges an...d special needs they bring to her classroom. Nina brings to her lessons not only high levels of creativity, innovation and professional rigour but also contagious passion which proves to be a winning formula wherever she works. Apart from her work in teaching, learning, thinking skills and technology for learning, her background in special needs and music has led her to devise specialist therapy programmes for schools. Nina also successfully supports mainstream teachers working with children with anger management issues, disaffection, poor motivation, behaviour and confidence.

Up until very recently, Nina was a director of learning in addition to directing a ‘more able and talented’ programme at a successful comprehensive in South Wales. Since these roles, Nina has developed an impressive career in teacher training in the UK and abroad. She has collaborated with Swansea Metropolitan University where she is a lecturer on the MA (Ed) programme, a senior professional tutor (ITET) and has supported the SARA (Schools Action Research Approach) project for the Education Support and Inspection Service in Wales. In 2004, Nina was the winner of the IPDA International Prize for Education and was described in the Times Educational Supplement as an “inspirational, evangelical preacher of education”. She is currently working on her second book – ‘Access All Areas’ – which focuses on helping schools ensure that all children have access to the full extent of what the curriculum has to offer.Read more

See what others have to say about us

The tremendous amount of resources and information gained from this course was invaluable. I gained new skills and strategies to support EAL learners at our school. Nina was very knowledgeable and approachable when I had any specific queries. I thoroughly recommend this course.

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive a mid-morning break to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course handouts will be emailed to you on the morning of the course.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please Note – the cost is per person
• Please note – the early bird rate of £185+ VAT ends 28 days prior to the course date, after this the standard rate of £215+VAT will be charged.