‘Great ideas to use with ESOL learners in our centre’
Chris Lucas, Bury Tuition Centre.
With increasing numbers of pupils learning English as an Additional Language, teachers face the dual challenge of maintaining high expectations while ensuring full curriculum access for multilingual learners. Many classrooms juggle supporting EAL pupils’ language development and meeting the pace, depth and curriculum demands of native speakers.
For the context of English Language learners in the United Kingdom these are the notable and significant groups
This course provides a clear, practical framework for teaching EAL learners successfully without slowing the pace or diluting challenge for the rest of the class. It is designed to give teachers confidence in integrating language and content so that EAL learners can thrive academically while developing fluent, accurate English.
The Importance of EAL Learners within Inclusion in UK Schools
EAL learners are a central part of inclusion work in UK schools. An inclusive school ensures that pupils learning English have equitable access to the curriculum, opportunities to express themselves, and teaching that recognises language as both a barrier and a resource. Research highlights that mainstream classrooms must integrate language and content learning deliberately; EAL pupils cannot be expected to acquire academic English through exposure alone, meaning schools must consciously weave language development into all subjects.
EAL inclusion is not simply about narrowing gaps — it strengthens learning for all pupils. Approaches that build vocabulary, model academic language, scaffold speaking and listening, and promote structured reading and writing benefit native speakers as much as EAL learners. Evidence shows that strategies used to support these learners also develop the cognitive and academic skills of the whole class.
For UK schools aiming to demonstrate strong inclusive practice (under Ofsted or ISI expectations), a robust approach to EAL provision signals:
- equitable access to curriculum and assessment
- strong safeguarding through communication clarity
- cultural and linguistic diversity valued as a school asset
- high expectations for all pupils, regardless of language background
This course positions EAL as a core dimension of Inclusion, not an “additional need” on the periphery. It helps schools meet their responsibilities while creating a learning environment where multilingual pupils thrive academically, socially and linguistically.
EAL INSET Aims
Participants will learn to:
- Understand the distinct stages of language development and the difference between social fluency (BICS) and academic language proficiency (CALP).
- Create a language‑rich, inclusive classroom environment that benefits both EAL and native‑speaking pupils.
- Integrate listening, speaking, reading and writing development into everyday lessons.
- Build EAL learners’ confidence so that spoken contributions and classroom participation become rewarding, not intimidating.
- Apply practical strategies that support linguistic development and cognitive challenge simultaneously.
EAL INSET Outline
Understanding the EAL Learner Experience
A deep dive into what it feels like to learn in an English‑medium classroom while processing new language and new content simultaneously.
Includes:
- How EAL pupils process information differently
- Why BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) is not enough for academic success
- What CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) involves and how teachers can build it into routine teaching
Creating a Language-Rich Classroom Across the Four Skills
Evidence-informed strategies for improving performance in:
- Reading: accessible texts, pre‑teaching vocabulary, dual‑coding, comprehension scaffolds
- Speaking: structured interaction, sentence frames, dialogic routines
- Listening: gist vs detailed listening, modelling clarity, checking meaning
- Writing: modelling structures, guided writing, grammar in context
High‑Impact EAL Pedagogy for Mainstream Teachers
- Techniques for simultaneous content-and-language teaching
- Reducing cognitive overload for EAL learners while maintaining challenge
- Using modelling and worked examples effectively
- Mastering questioning that supports both linguistic development and subject mastery
Practical Tools & Daily Routines for Language Acquisition
- Routines that promote rapid vocabulary acquisition
- Effective starters and plenaries for language development
- Reinforcing grammar, punctuation and syntax in subject‑specific contexts
- Activities that can be implemented the very next day
Planning for Progression and Whole‑School Consistency
- Using EAL proficiency scales to inform lesson planning
- Designing schemes of learning that integrate language and content
- How to ensure consistency during learning walks or curriculum reviews
- Strategies that benefit both multilingual learners and fluent native speakers
INSET Outcomes
Staff will leave with:
- A clear understanding of EAL language development
- Ready-to-use classroom strategies across reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Increased confidence in supporting EAL learners without lowering expectations
- A structured framework for making lessons more accessible, inclusive and cognitively rich
- Activities and planning tools to use immediately
📧 Email us at enquiries@jmcinset.com
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