English as an Additional Language
in Regina Public SchoolsNovember 3, 2014
Linda MitchellEAL Coordinator
As of November 3, 2014:
◦3467 EAL students 2559 receive EAL support
EAL Student Information
Countries:
73countries :
- 60 languages
Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, England, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Greece, GuatemalaHonduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy , Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia
Newcomers:
◦ Refugees – forced to leave home situation – war, turmoil
etc
2 girls came with “Step parents”
Girls not going to school
◦ Immigrants – parents chose to move to Canada
12 years + coming – friends left behind
Rebelling and Suicide
◦ Nominees – recruited by employers or the country
Usually the same as Immigrants
What types of newcomers are arriving?
Newcomer Welcome Centre Why the development?
Intake and orientation to educational options Documentation verification
Legal to study in Regina Assessment and placement
recommendations Settlement Worker support
Food – taking to school Clothing – proper clothing Holidays
Translator support
Current Teaching and Learning Supports for EAL students in RPS
◦Total number of EAL students through the Newcomer Welcome Centre: 2009-10 = 424 2010-11 = 445 2011-12 = 686 2012 –13 = 610 2013 – 14 = 704 2014 to now = 449
Testing at the Newcomer Welcome Centre
2005-2006 - 14.5 EAL teachers
As of October 20, 2014 43 FTE EAL teachers in RPS
Staffing Information -English as an Additional
Language (EAL)
Elementary Schools: all of our schools
High Schools: 7 of 9 schools
Adult Campus – 18 to 22 years
Current Teaching and Learning Supports for EAL students in RPS
Culture Shock Curve – 1 to 2 years
1. Arrival: Honeymoon Stage
2. Reality is more difficult than expected
3. Feel situation is impossible
4. Begin to adjust expectations
5. Find some successes at integration
6. Feel it is possible to live here
7. Continue to have smaller ups and downs
Provide a warm and welcoming environment for your students
Be open to learning more about teaching EAL students and the backgrounds of your students
Be willing to differentiate instruction for your EAL students
What can I do as a Teacher?
Have a “welcome” sign in the student’s language Display flags, maps, or globes of various
countries displayed in the school or classroom Have picture dictionaries or bilingual dictionaries
available in the school library or classroom Learn the correct pronunciation of the student’s
name Encourage the sharing of culture (PowerPoint)
How to support these new EAL students…demands on teachers…
Providing A Warm & Welcoming Environment for Students…
Use labeling and visual cues If a student can’t complete an assignment in English
◦ Their language◦ Picture dictionary and other resources
Reduce expectations for length and complexity Allow a partner Provide word banks Use dual language books Allow students to demonstrate knowledge in a variety of
ways Provide a written explanation of the assignment & due date Access the EAL student’s prior knowledge on subject or
concept. Background information is critical Model how to do the activity, lab, graphic organizer, etc.
Strategies for Differentiating for the English Language Learner
A tool that the Saskatchewan Ministry is using to benchmark EAL students
A 1.1 and 1.2 Level students – words and gestures/phrase A2.1 and A2.2 – simple sentences/simple paragraph B 1.1 and1.2 – needs support with some grammar and
punctuation C Level students are Proficient Users of English
Common Framework Reference (CFR)
Get Feedback from Your Students: What was easy for you? What was hard for you? What could we have done differently? Use “Google translator”
◦Be An Advocate for Your Students◦Remember that it takes time for them to
feel comfortable, develop friendships, and to learn the many things required to survive in a new culture.
Other Important Ideas to Help Plan for Your EAL Students…
for teachers… know your learner
for students… feel comfortable
Classroom Challenges
What can I do to help them?◦ Provide a word bank with illustrations ◦ Have students use Google Translation ◦ Pair up EAL students with students who are fluent in
speaking English◦ Provide a template & model how to write up a lab
report◦ Demonstrate activities as much as possible◦ Use a graphic organizer /outline ◦ Provide examples of work◦ Provide additional edits & proofreading for the student◦ Provide sentence starters, story starters, & character
ideas◦ Allow student write in their own language◦ Use a scriber
Classroom Situation-
Volunteer at a library to help newcomers Read professional resources Take CERTESOL classes Want to learn about other cultures
Extras…
Final Words…
Questions and comments?
.
English as an Additional Language in Regina Public Schools
Good luck in your teaching careers…ENJOY!!!!!
