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International Mother Language Day (IMLD)

Author: Sarah Jones, EAL coordinator, Lea Forest Academy
Created: Mon 27th Jan 2020

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide observance celebrated annually on 21st February. It promotes awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism.

Read moreDownload International mother language day resource
Parents and child

Home-school partnerships: Engaging newly arrived parents

Author: Yzanne Mackay
Created: Mon 14th Oct 2019

"Parental involvement is invaluable for any new arrival in transition. The learner’s family may be the only group of people who truly understand their transition. The parents may have very little understanding of what happens in an English-speaking school or the approach you have to education. Parental involvement will help you to understand more about the child’s life as well as build a valuable rapport and level of trust between all parties.”
(Scott, 2012)

Read moreDownload Parent introduction card

We are one world and one team

Author: Anita Bamburger
Created: Tue 2nd Feb 2016

11 fantastic resources to promote elements of international mindedness...

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Differentiating learning

Created: Tue 30th Dec 2014

Whilst reading a book on reclaiming childhood ('Their name is today' by Johann Christoph Arnold) the chapter on 'learning differences and how to cater for them' triggered thoughts on teaching differences. At the end of the October article it was mentioned that EAL teaching should be evaluated in a different way due to the very nature of the subject and I shall try to clarify why.

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Bridging cultures and celebrating differences

Author: Coreen Sears
Created: Wed 24th Dec 2014

Last week I saw a film called 'Shadow in Baghdad', it was a film that pulled my heart strings. I was brought up in Manchester, both my parents spoke Arabic at home, both were from Baghdad. What struck me the most after I watched the film was how much I missed hearing that particular dialect of Arabic, the familiarity and warmth of the Middle Eastern people, the sense of security that came with it as well as a sense of longing and regret for a disappearing culture.

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Teaching high numbers of EAL learners

Author: Caroline Scott, Author and Director
Created: Sun 16th Feb 2014

It’s hard to even start to highlight the challenges of teaching EAL students in such a short article but there are a few key areas to consider:

Including learners of all cultures into the classroom environment and the school

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Successful start for new arrivals (Part 1)

Author: Jessica Tweedie
Created: Mon 13th Jan 2014

It is Friday morning; the Head teacher comes to tell you that on Monday morning you will have a new student arriving who does not speak much English.  How can you give a successful welcome for that student given the time frame?

Read moreDownload Empathy cards

Putting yourself in the new arrival’s shoes

Created: Sun 29th Dec 2013

Scenario: You are moving to a new country (pick a country which has a different script such as China, Saudi Arabia or Bangladesh).  You can only take a suitcase with you.  Discuss your thoughts on the following groups of questions;

How would you feel about moving?

  • What would you take?
  • What would you leave behind?
  • Who would you miss?
  • What activities would you miss?

How would you feel about learning the language?

Read moreDownload Changing shoes activity

The story of my life is who I am

Author: Coreen Sears
Created: Fri 20th Dec 2013

Coreen Sears gives us an insight into her thoughts...

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