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Everyone is talking about differentiation for EAL in whole class teaching, but how do we actually approach it consistently and effectively?
At Across Cultures we have been developing some systematic ways of approaching this in a structured, yet flexible format. In the downloadable plan you'll see a framework to support EAL teachers with planning for content learning alongside language learning. The plan is based about the theme of sea pollution and provides a writing frame for a persuasive text.
This lesson follow a particular format:
1. Pre teach vocabulary of the text type. There are many games for supporting learners with remembering new vocabulary.
2. Introduce the theme, text type and ensure comprehension of text.
3. Reproduce sections of the text day by day with support of writing frames, the vocabulary learnt and the text.
4. Recreate the entire text without support.
Stories are a powerful way for children to develop language skills and connect with their culture. Specifically, for EAL families, storytelling in their home language is a way to preserve cultural traditions and is an essential part of their children’s multilingual development.
The choice of appropriate materials for language learning can shape the learning experience, promote motivation and facilitate the learning process (Gilmore, 2007). EAL teachers evaluate their options and often wonder about the benefits of coursebooks compared to authentic, real-life texts and media content for their learners. This article suggests that the combination of textbooks and authentic materials is the way forward, not only for EAL teachers in class, but also for multilingual families who seek to support their children with language learning at home.
Truly inclusive practice extends beyond adapting materials or managing the classroom so that everybody can access the course content. It is about building a classroom culture where everybody genuinely respects and supports each other, and embraces the diversity inherent in our communities. This is more easily achieved if the members of the group understand themselves well, and what makes them different from each other.