Download resource

Please enter your details to download this resource
Login
 

Enter your details to access this video

Or if you already have an account login to watch the video (if you don't you can register here).
Login
Approximate reading time: 1 minute

New to English can be supported in many different ways. Here's one school's approach:

Assessment

All learning is based on assessment. Children arrive and sit a baseline assessment. After analysis of result children are provided with appropriate provision. Interim progress reports on progression in EAL, phonics and writing are reviewed every half term.

Beginners

Beginner EAL Learning Intervention (EAL Intervention)

They follow ‘Teaching English an An Additional Language 5-11: A Whole School Resource’ which offers survival language intervention for the early days. This replaces the in class Literacy lesson for a short period until children are able to access the next two steps. Progression in English for beginners is reassessed every half term to check on progress.

Intermediates

Intermediate new arrivals curriculum language support (out of class)

This support provides additional vocabulary and language structure support for those children attending differentiated Literacy in class.

EAL differentiated  curriculum support (in class)

Working closely with an EAL teacher to provide language learning differentiation  for intermediate learners.

Phonics

All new arrivals are assessed for phonics and provided with differentiated out of class lessons. Reading (with phonic based readers) is part of this. Progression in phonics is reassessed every half term to check on progress.

One to one support:

Where specific EAL needs are identified (for example, after a big write) the EAL teacher will work one to one with children to support their progress with these needs.

Staff Training

Staff training is provided for all staff in integrating language learning objectives alongside curriculum objectives to support all levels of EAL learner in class.


More articles from our blog

EAL Parent Helping Child Read
Created: Mon 13th Mar 2023

Parental involvement in children’s education can take many forms and can be experienced differently by each parent. The benefits and advantages of parental involvement are unquestionable. 

Secondary age learners in a classroom
Created: Fri 6th Feb 2026

Intermediate EAL learners have developed a certain level of fluency in spoken English, allowing them to communicate with peers effectively in the school environment. However, they may still benefit from building topic-related vocabulary aligned with curriculum demands and receiving structured support to help them develop their accuracy and confidence in English. Many of the strategies we use with EAL learners in the early stages of language learning will still be appropriate with intermediate EAL learners, but with increased complexity in the language and content offered.

Graphic about assessment steps
Created: Wed 6th Aug 2025

Assessment is a natural and integral part of effective teaching, with teachers continually assessing learner progress and identifying next steps for teaching and learning (DfE, 2020). Teachers assess learners for multiple reasons but one of the most pressing tasks for teachers is to assess their newly-arrived EAL learners’ level of English proficiency.

Back to Blog