On Friday 11th March, Samson, Isla, Maleeya and Beth spoke to Aylsham High's new EAL coordinator Mrs Findlay, to find out more about her role in the school. We discovered during our conversation that English is now the most commonly spoken language in the world. Second is Chinese Mandarin, third is Hindi and fourth is Spanish. Here's what else we found out. |
Thank you so much for talking to us today. To start, tell us about your role as an EAL coordinator.
It's a new role to the school; we haven't have an EAL (English as an Additional Language) coordinator before. Previously, students with English as an additional language have gone through the SEN (Special Educational Needs) route to get support in school. Because having English as a second language isn't classed as a specific educational need, the school felt it was a great idea to have someone designated to those students who need support. My role is to identify students who have been brought up in a household that has English as their second language, or brought up in a household where maybe mum or dad speak a separate language, and also students who have come from other countries who are still learning the English language. What I do here is build up a profile of the student and work out whether or not they could do with some extra help in the classroom, or whether we can help parents at home.
What do you love about your job?
I obviously enjoy working with children, but mostly I enjoy identifying students who are struggling to access the National Curriculum, who are in need of a little bit of extra help, and I enjoy being able to research what they need and getting that organised for them. It's quite rewarding to see. We have had several students go through the school who are not English speaking when they arrive, but speak it when they leave. We have also had students who we can support with their first language, for example helping students achieve a GCSE in Chinese, so that they left school with a GCSE in their own language as well.
What do you find hard about your job?
It's always communication, I think. Initially we rely a lot on what parents tell us about the child that comes into school; and sometimes there can be difficulties there in being able to pass on information because of language barriers. I concentrate now on meeting the students myself face-to-face so I can speak directly to them to find out what their needs are and then I speak to the families and then we work together.
It's a new role to the school; we haven't have an EAL (English as an Additional Language) coordinator before. Previously, students with English as an additional language have gone through the SEN (Special Educational Needs) route to get support in school. Because having English as a second language isn't classed as a specific educational need, the school felt it was a great idea to have someone designated to those students who need support. My role is to identify students who have been brought up in a household that has English as their second language, or brought up in a household where maybe mum or dad speak a separate language, and also students who have come from other countries who are still learning the English language. What I do here is build up a profile of the student and work out whether or not they could do with some extra help in the classroom, or whether we can help parents at home.
What do you love about your job?
I obviously enjoy working with children, but mostly I enjoy identifying students who are struggling to access the National Curriculum, who are in need of a little bit of extra help, and I enjoy being able to research what they need and getting that organised for them. It's quite rewarding to see. We have had several students go through the school who are not English speaking when they arrive, but speak it when they leave. We have also had students who we can support with their first language, for example helping students achieve a GCSE in Chinese, so that they left school with a GCSE in their own language as well.
What do you find hard about your job?
It's always communication, I think. Initially we rely a lot on what parents tell us about the child that comes into school; and sometimes there can be difficulties there in being able to pass on information because of language barriers. I concentrate now on meeting the students myself face-to-face so I can speak directly to them to find out what their needs are and then I speak to the families and then we work together.
What do you think schools can do to be more supportive of EAL students?
Awareness. I think especially now as we are becoming more diverse, awareness is everything. I think we can support second languages a lot more by working together. Norfolk County Council designate seven days on which schools are encouraged to celebrate other cultures and languages, to raise awareness of students with English as an additional language. In June we have what's called a 'Day of Welcome' when we can celebrate other languages. Imagine if you were a new student coming to school and you couldn't speak English. it would be really helpful if your school knew a bit about your culture and your language. Some schools have students who need to pray regularly; schools need to know this so that they can provide space for them to do this. Appreciation and awareness of cultures is essential for inclusion.
Awareness. I think especially now as we are becoming more diverse, awareness is everything. I think we can support second languages a lot more by working together. Norfolk County Council designate seven days on which schools are encouraged to celebrate other cultures and languages, to raise awareness of students with English as an additional language. In June we have what's called a 'Day of Welcome' when we can celebrate other languages. Imagine if you were a new student coming to school and you couldn't speak English. it would be really helpful if your school knew a bit about your culture and your language. Some schools have students who need to pray regularly; schools need to know this so that they can provide space for them to do this. Appreciation and awareness of cultures is essential for inclusion.
How can students be more helpful towards their peers with EAL?
The first way that students who are classed as EAL learn the language is through conversation. So the first thing I would do is give that child a buddy, so somebody that is able to communicate with them and check in on them to make sure they understand the processes of the school, and homework. For a lot of students coming from other countries, our systems are very different. If you know that there's a student who doesn't speak English the same way you do, make sure you try and make them feel comfortable by making sure they know how to do different things in school, and just check in and make sure they're ok. Be kind, too. Always include them and make them feel at home as much as you can.
The first way that students who are classed as EAL learn the language is through conversation. So the first thing I would do is give that child a buddy, so somebody that is able to communicate with them and check in on them to make sure they understand the processes of the school, and homework. For a lot of students coming from other countries, our systems are very different. If you know that there's a student who doesn't speak English the same way you do, make sure you try and make them feel comfortable by making sure they know how to do different things in school, and just check in and make sure they're ok. Be kind, too. Always include them and make them feel at home as much as you can.
Definitely. Do you think more support systems should be implemented in schools?
I think it's definitely a current issue that is being acknowledged more than previously. Most schools are acknowledging that there is going to be more need for training and understanding of diversity and of people from other countries. Given the current climate with the amount of people seeking refuge it may be that we have more people to support in the future.
I think it's definitely a current issue that is being acknowledged more than previously. Most schools are acknowledging that there is going to be more need for training and understanding of diversity and of people from other countries. Given the current climate with the amount of people seeking refuge it may be that we have more people to support in the future.
What can students do if they wish to keep studying their first language?
I would encourage them to come and see me and we can look at GCSE options. Part of my role is to ensure that students don't lose their bilingual status and that they can continue to learn in their own language. I think it would be wonderful to be bilingual; I would absolutely love to be able to speak more than one language fluently. So it is very important to me that people with that capability are supported to keep languages both going equally.
Thank you so much for your time!
I would encourage them to come and see me and we can look at GCSE options. Part of my role is to ensure that students don't lose their bilingual status and that they can continue to learn in their own language. I think it would be wonderful to be bilingual; I would absolutely love to be able to speak more than one language fluently. So it is very important to me that people with that capability are supported to keep languages both going equally.
Thank you so much for your time!