Session 1

• Mathematics
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Element 12 - English as an additional language

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Session 1 

ZE30801 

T - Levels in Education and Early Years 

Mini whiteboards

Step 1 - On your mini white board, 

write a definition of what you believe 

'English as an additional language (EAL)' 

may mean.

Step 2 - On the other side, write one way 

your setting has supported a child with EAL?

What will this unit teach us?

1. How to support children with English as an additional language. 
   
2. Key words and correct terminology practitioners should be aware of. 
   
3. Strategies and approaches for the practitioner to be able to utilise in practice.
   
4. How EAL can affect learning and development for children specifically language. 
   

Let's discuss and reflect on these outcomes. 

What is English as an additional language?

Children who have English as an additional language is categorised in two broad ways. 

It is often a misconception that EAL only refers to children that have a different first language other than English. 

Simultaneous language learning: This is when children have been exposed to English and can understand it but has also been exposed to another language.

  For example: Two languages may be spoken at home by parents / carers. 

Let me show you. 

Ask me a word in English and then I will repeat it in punjabi. Once I have repeated it I would like you will copy me.

Simultaneous language learning

When a child engages in simultaneous language learning,

 this is known as bilingualism / multilingualism. 

Bilingualism - Speaks / understands 2 languages

Multilingualism - Speaks / understands 3 languages

The language spoken is often influenced by the parents cultural backgrounds. 

For example : if the parents speak Punjabi and English then this would influence the simultaneous language for the child. 

Sequential language learning

Sequential language learning occurs when children and young people learn English after they have been taught another language first.

Some children may enter an Early Years setting not being able to speak English at all. 

In your groups mind map how strategies practitioners might support a child who does not speak English? 

5 stages of acquiring an additional language

1. Silent / receptive (pre - production)

2. Early production 

3. Speech emergence 

4. Intermediate fluency 

5. Advanced fluency

Using the T - Level text book (page 199 - 200) write in your books bullet points for each stage. Try and put this in your own words. Read it and write how you have understood it. 

Flip Chart Paper task 

Around the room are 5 pieces of paper. 

Everyone needs to contribute to each stage of language acquisition and write one fact they understood. 

No duplicates - consider rewording.

Noam Chomksy - LAD (recall)

Remember Noam Chomsky & his language acquisition device.

The concept of his theory can be applied to supporting children with EAL. All children have a 'device' they only need to be exposed to a language doesn't state it has to be English. 

Once a child is exposed to 1 language their cognitive skills will begin to acquire the skills required to learn more than one language.

But in relation to Chomsky, what happens if a child is not exposed to language in the first 10 years (critical period) ?? (Hint: Genie Wiley) 

Factors affecting language acquisition (development)

Code switching - When a child is speaking but combines both languages in their discussion. 

This often occurs during the 'cognition' process, children and young people's brains are processing the languages they are learning therefore they may naturally confuse the two languages as they are forming meanings.

Age & stage of development - Practitioners should ensure to consider the age of the child as the younger the child the longer it takes them to acquire and make sense of different languages. 

Repetition and visuals are essential when support children to master a language. 

Create a word activity for children 

You will now work in pairs to complete the following task. 

1. Choose a language of your choice. 

2. Create a word activity for to support children learning language along side English (Simultaneous language)

3. Consider being visual and creative with this.