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Meadows Primary School and Nursery

English as an Additional Language

At Meadows, we currently have 20% of our children with English as an Additional Language. As such, we ensure full commitment to enabling these children to grasp the English language, while of course flourishing in their own! 

How will you support my child's English development?

Here are some ways we will support your child's English development in primary school:

  • We will introduce language learning games and puzzles to reinforce vocabulary, grammar, and language skills.
  • We will organise fun and interactive activities like role-plays, language competitions, and storytelling sessions.
  • We will teach new words explicitly, repeat them often, and give children opportunities to practise them.
  • We will regularly check children's understanding of new words.
  • We will celebrate cultural diversity and incorporate multicultural literature and resources into English lessons.
  • We will gain children's full attention before giving instructions or important information.
  • We will provide tailored support for EAL learners, including expert advice and specialised training for teachers.

How can I help my child at home?

  • Make your child feel as secure and happy as possible in his/her environment.
  • Speak your home or mother tongue with your child. Use every occasion to develop and extend it naturally.
  • Provide your child with an English/home language dictionary.
  • Read regularly to your child in your home language.
  • When your child starts to read at school, hear him/her read every day- in English. It does not matter if you are not a confident speaker of English yourself, your child is reading/ talking about the story to you!. Also talk about the story in your mother tongue and explain anything that your child does not understand. If your child can read or write in his/her mother tongue before entering our school, continue to develop these skills at home.
  • Your child will be able to regularly borrow books from the library. Please enjoy them! 
  • Make sure your child goes to bed early enough on school days. Learning and speaking a new language is very tiring and it is important that children start the day fresh. If you need help or advice regarding your child's sleep (or any matter) please do not hesitate to get in touch.
  • Make contact with the parents of other children at school and encourage contact between the children after school. 
  • If you have any questions about your child’s progress in English, do not hesitate to contact the class teacher. We are here to help.

How can I help my child at school?

Please explore our comprehensive school website for a wealth of information to support you in ensuring your child is able to aspire, grow and flourish at Meadows. The Bell Foundation also offer fantastic advice to support parents and carers of children with English as an additional language. In addition, here are some ideas which will also help your child or children:

  • Make sure your child leaves home early enough to reach school on time each morning.
  • Check each day that they are wearing the right uniform.
  • Make sure they have the right equipment for school: bag, a water bottle, a reading book.
  • Sometimes, educational visits beyond the school will be arranged, for example to the museum or theatre. These are an important part of your child's education. Please do monitor ClassDojo so that you are aware of these trips, can contribute towards them and give consent. 
  • Please remember that your child should not go on holiday in term time - this includes returning to their home country during term time. If you have special reasons, please ask the school for permission at least 4 weeks before. It will only be allowed if the reason for going is exceptional.
  • If you are moving home and your child will be leaving to go to another school, please do let us know.
  • If there are problems at home which may affect your child at school, please also tell the school.
  • Each evening, ask your child what learning at home they have. If you can, help your child with their learning at home. This will support their progress greatly.

How can you understand life in school?

Useful Websites

There are a range of EAL websites which include free activities and worksheets for EAL learners of various ages and stages of English learning. 

www.manythings.org      www.english-online.org.uk

www.funbrain.com/words.    www.englishbanana.com

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies     www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc

www.bbc.co.uk/schools/magickey       www.learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org

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