Effective Strategies for EAL Pupils

Don’t be SCARED!!

Advantages: Classification skills Conception formation Analogical reasoning Visual-spatial skills Creative and divergent thinking Story-telling skills Language awareness

Visuals

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

…

Pair Work

Model Pros ConsBuddy speaks same language as EAL learner

•EAL learner can be understood and can understand more•EAL learner can feel less isolated

•Might negatively affect buddy’s learning•Can seem as if buddy has sole responsibility

Buddy Speak English only

• Can increase understanding of different cultures

• Can help EAL learner learn English

•Buddy cant translate•Buddy may be perceived as sole supporter and feel pressured

THE POWER OF IMAGES…

“A picture is a poem without words”

Individual Task…

Visualise the image and make a sketch.

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”

What does this quote mean?

The Actual Image…

Words can be interpreted differently

This was a challenge for all of us

An even greater challenge for EAL students

Universality of symbols and signs…

Use of Language

Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk

Talk Tal

To teach.......we MUST talk!

However, we may confuse EAL pupils with the use of IDIOMS.

What are idioms?

Idioms are words, phrases, or expressions that cannot be taken literally. 

Do you use idioms when teaching?

“Zip it”

“.......take it with a pinch of salt.”

“ Exams are over; you must be on cloud nine.”

“The second exercise is a piece of cake”

“Walk away......don’t add fuel to the fire”

“Due to inflation, petrol today costs an arm and a leg”

“You do make me laugh with your comments; you crack me up”

“ Go ahead......I’m all ears”

“Good answer! You’ve hit the nail on the head”

Literal vs Figurative Figurative speech is more of a

challenge for EAL pupils, as they interpret what you say literally.

So... Remember, the lesson content should be delivered with the use of clear, concise and literal language.

Slang in the classroom.

The English language is permanently evolving and developing. New words and expressions are coined and existing words change their meaning as society, culture and technology progress. 

As the teacher, are you helping your EAL pupils to learn accurate English?

Conclusion

E A L

Teaching Strategies

Use of Language

Bilingual Pedagogy

Theorists

Vygotsky: The child develops cognition and language as the result of social interaction with more knowledgeable others in activities which have specific goals.

Bruner: Scaffolding refers to the gradual withdrawal of adult control and support as a function of children’s increasing mastery of a given task.

Gibbons: Scaffolding is created through Language Support; how the teacher supports the student by careful pitching of comprehensible language.

Cummins: research showed that during second language acquisition students do not need to relearn some basic skills and concepts, like forms of communication, critical thinking, or reading and writing (Diaz-Rico, & Weed, 2010).

Accessible & Motivating Curriculum

Comprehensible and extending Language

Success for EAL Learners

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Washbourne (2011)

Additional Scaffolding for EAL Learners

Teacher Scaffolding

Use of Visuals

Repetition

Key Words

Body Language

Demonstration

Paired/Group Work

Bilingual Worksheets

Sentence Frames

Group C

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