Teaching Children English as an Additional Language: A Programme for 7-12 Year Olds

Here is a typical classroom scenario: out of the thirty children, two-thirds speak a different language at home and only speak English at school. Even though many pupils’ English skills are almost non-existent, teachers are expected to provide the national curriculum for every child in the class.

Teaching Children English as an Additional Language solves this problem with a ten-week teaching programme of units and lesson activities for children aged seven–eleven (Key Stage 2) new to English. It will help these children learn some very basic English sentences, questions and vocabulary, to get them through regular day-to-day routines more easily. By offering a flexible step by step approach this book helps EAL teachers to:

• identify learners’ individual needs
• teach grammar and vocabulary
• support teaching through speaking and listening
• assess pupils to inform future planning

The programme also contains emergency lessons to support learners in the first three days, cross curricular links, ways of using a home-school learning book and an opportunity for the child to make a booklet about themselves. It fosters the child’s home language, incorporates different learning styles as well as including a wealth of carefully tailored, themed resources. The programme is complete with activities, resources and assessment materials and helpful tips on how to develop a successful EAL department.

Caroline Scott has experience in teaching 7–11 year old EAL children in London, Thailand and Egypt predominantly within the context of the National Curriculum. She has a wealth of knowledge to share on the young EAL learner.