We celebrate the fact that some of our children speak more than one language.

We carefully monitor and track the progress of pupils with EAL to ensure they are not disadvantaged and recognise that they may require additional support to acquire the same competence in English as in their home language(s). This support is provided in class through carefully targeted learning.

Children who are learning English as an additional language have skills and knowledge about language similar to monolingual English-speaking children. Their ability to participate in the full curriculum may be in advance of their communicative skills in English. We fully appreciate the necessity of a child retaining their first language and bonuses it brings.

At Harrietsham Church of England Primary School, teachers take action to help children who are learning English as an additional language by various means such as:

• Accessing interpreters for assessment if needed.
• Ensuring that new vocabulary is repeated many times in different contexts through games, songs, photos, experiences and is re-visited.
• Displaying key vocabulary and using visual prompts.
• Immersing the child in a language-rich environment and ensuring that talking is used to support writing.
• Encouraging children to transfer their knowledge, skills and understanding of one language to another.
• Ensuring staff are aware of expected ‘norms’ for acquisition of a second language and contributory factors for each child.
• Ensuring standardised assessments are used cautiously due to cultural differences.