EAL Support

Currently many of our children at the ICS are speakers of English as an additional language (EAL). We encourage and support our children to acquire English rapidly, so that they may access and benefit from the National Curriculum.  We find that the most effective approach is supported immersion, where children are skilfully supported, prepared and helped to achieve independent buoyancy in English.
At the ICS we have a changing school population and we cannot always accurately predict new arrivals. But when new children arrive to the ICS we aim to integrate them as quickly as possible. We know that learning thrives in a stress free environment and so a large part of our immersion strategy involves helping new children to settle and to orientate themselves, to impart confidence, self esteem and the sense that learning and playing in English is purposeful and pleasurable.

Across the primary school we prioritise a language rich environment as we know that this will contribute powerfully to the development of EAL.  This includes: vivid classroom displays; structured play activities; the ‘Big Write’ especially the close linking of writing and talking; topic work showing links with other subjects; circle time; involvement with the student council and educational visits.  All of these activities encourage high levels of engagement from the children especially in the areas of speaking and listening.

Starting a new school in a different country can be a daunting experience. It is even more of a challenge for a child who speaks little or no English.  However, the ICS offers a welcoming, caring environment.  Pupils at the ICS are generally very tolerant of others and usually try hard to make friends with new children.  Those who previously joined the school with little or no English are particularly thrilled to help any new arrivals, remembering how they felt starting at a new school.

Children who arrive at the ICS with little or no English are introduced to their own class straight away where they will spend most of their time, learning our routines and getting used to all of their new friends.  However, a part of every day is spent within a small group or on a 1-1 basis with our primary EAL teacher. 

Mrs Nasser is our highly experienced EAL teacher and her role is to support and sustain our EAL children, which she does with dedication and enthusiasm. She does this in a number of ways including:
• Making pupils feel welcome, secure and confident
• Assessing their needs with scrupulous care and skill
• Providing small group and 1-1 tuition where necessary
• Giving priority to talking and listening
• Securing and developing children’s literacy skills upon a foundation of extensive, well chosen reading experiences

This structured support greatly aids our children’s confidence. The sessions with Mrs Nasser are relaxed and often fun and initially these sessions build on speaking and listening skills, as the children’s confidence grows, then the emphasis begins to include reading and writing.  As the children become more proficient in English, the sessions with the Mrs Nasser are gradually reduced, depending on the needs and confidence of the child.  Children who are learning English as an additional language usually make fantastic amounts of progress due to the support offered by Mrs Nasser, the ICS staff and the friendly school environment.

Working with these children and helping them to become settled and confident is a thoroughly rewarding experience and the diversity this brings to our classrooms enriches the school experience for everyone.  It is just one of the many things which make the ICS such a special place.