Grammarly App/extension

The  Grammarly App has now been pushed out to the Play Store and can be added to the pupil’s Chromebooks.   It is a useful tool for older and more proficient EAL students to correct written work.  It sits as an extension along the top right in the same way as Google Read & Write etc. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/grammarly-grammar-checker/kbfnbcaeplbcioakkpcpgfkobkghlhen

New EAL Teachers for Highland

We would like to inform you of some recent changes to the English as an Additional Language Team within our service.

Previously, the remit for the team was area based but this has now changed to a Highland wide service.

Two new members of staff have also been employed until the end of June 2023 (SG funded), and the team now consists of Alison Roy, Jenny Gray, Alison Drummond and Rose Nicholls. Both Alison Drummond and Rose Nicholls, our new members to the team, have been employed primarily to support the Ukrainian refugee pupils. You can find their contact details at: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/886/schools_-_additional_support_needs/39/english_as_an_additional_language

Ukraine: resources for schools and families

A short training video giving staff an introduction to welcoming refugee families into our schools and communities. 

This 16-minute video for all Highland Council school staff is an introduction to supporting Ukrainian pupils and their families in our schools, with signposting to further resources and support.

Presented by Educational Psychologist Carrie Yavuz and EAL Teacher Alison Roy.

Please note that this video can only be opened by staff with a Highland Council Google email. Please ensure you have logged into Chrome with your Highland Council google email.

We have collated a selection of resources to support schools in welcoming families from Ukraine.

Click on the image for Nursery/ Primary or Secondary or Families. This will take you to a google doc with links to the resources. Please note that these are live documents and are being added to as new resources and information becomes available.

EAL Training

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR RECORDED TRAINING VIDEOS 

Digital Translation Tools for EAL Learners

Target Group – Upper Primary & Secondary PSAs, ASNTs and Class Teachers

Maximum Participants – 30

Number of hours out with – 1.5

Sectors – Upper Primary & Secondary

Cutoff date – 21/11/23

Subject – Literacy

Date: Tuesday 28th November, 4-5.30 pm

Venue: Inverness High School

HGIOS – 2.3 – Learning, teaching and assessment

HGIOS – 3.2 – Raising attainment and achievement

Aim – To upskill staff in digital translation tools to then support EAL pupils.

Content – During this training we will cover how to use key translation tools which are accessible to pupils on their Chromebooks such as Google Translate, Read & Write and OrbitNote.  There will be opportunities to practise using these tools during the session.

Notes: If possible, could attendees bring a Highland Council laptop or Chromebook to the training. Tea and coffee will be available.

 

SUPPORTING EAL PUPILS IN NURSERY 

Alison Roy and Jenny Gray present a 40 minute recorded training opportunity for staff in E.LC.

During the recording, you will be asked to follow a few links on the slide show. Before starting the recording, open the slide show below.

Supporting EAL Pupils in Nursery: slides (with links)

 

SUPPORTING NEW TO ENGLISH PUPILS IN PRIMARY 

Jenny Gray and Alison Roy present a 1 hour 15 minute recorded training opportunity for primary staff on how to support  New to English or Early acquisition EAL pupils in primary school.

During the recording, you will be asked to follow a few links on the slide show. Before starting the recording, open the slide show below.

Supporting New to English EAL Pupils in Primary: slides (with links)

 

SUPPORTING NEW TO ENGLISH PUPILS IN SECONDARY 

Jenny Gray and Alison Roy present a 1 hour 15 minute recorded training opportunity for secondary staff on how to support  New to English or Early acquisition EAL pupils in secondary school.

During the recording, you will be asked to follow a few links on the slide show. Before starting the recording, open the slide show below.

Supporting new to English EAL Pupils in Secondary: slides (with links)

Offline Bilingual Dictionaries for exams/assessments

Inspirationapps.com have bilingual dictionary apps available in 20 different languages.  These are offline, word for word dictionaries which are permitted in exams and assessments if you follow the  guidance from SQA.

Apps can be installed on Chromebooks/phones/i pads from the Apple App Store or from the Google Play Store.

At present the Polish and French apps can be added to a pupils Chromebook. If you need another language please contact the EAL Team. If you pupil’s first language is not available there are other apps available so get in touch.

As with paper dictionaries,  pupils should  only be given the app in assessments if they use bilingual dictionaries for regular  classwork/homework. Some practice in using the app before the assessment/exam is advised.

 

Using Technology to Support EAL Learners in Primary Schools

An easy use resource which is full of apps/ extensions/websites to support EAL learners to  develop their English skills and to access the curriculum.  This is a ‘live’ document which will be updated regularly so we would recommend that you store it in Google Drive.

Using technology to Support EAL Learners in Secondary Schools

An easy use resource which is full of apps/ extensions/websites to support EAL learners to  develop their English skills and to access the curriculum.  This is a ‘live’ document which will be updated regularly so we would recommend that you store it in Google Drive.

Understanding and Supporting Multilingual Language and Literacy

Good link to a CPD session hosted by LALCO (Language and Literacy Research Group) looking at:-

  1. Teachers’ beliefs about meeting the literacy needs of pupils learning English as an additional language
  2. Bilingualism and (bi)literacy: myths, facts and challenges
  3. Early reading in languages other than English: similarities, differences and transfer
  4. Multi-contextual vocabulary instruction for children learning English as an additional language

You can also sign up to the network to access future resources and research findings.

Developing Good EAL Practice in the Early Years

Cumbria early years EAL is a good guide to enable you to self evaluate your progress in establishing a great setting for EAL learners in the Early Years. With ticklists to help you reflect on your practice and suggestions of things to do, a look at enrolment and a brief look into the theory behind supporting strategies for EAL pupils.  Lots to absorb… could be part of a development plan or and in-service  CPD session.