For many children, English is an additional language. These children are referred to as “EAL” children, which is short for English as an Additional Language. These children speak a different language at home than English. But in schools, they must use English. There is a debate in the educational system regarding where these children should be educated. Some believe that they belong in the regular school system, while others believe that they should be placed in a special school. I believe that the children should be placed in the regular school system. These are referred to as mainstream schools. However, the children do require additional assistance from teachers. They should receive specialized instruction apart from their regular classes. Also, teachers should be assigned as tutors for these children.
This issue is a global issue. As the world becomes multicultural, countries are no longer made of only one language. Rather, families from a wide range of cultures share the same country. In the United Kingdom, approximately twenty percent of children speak a different language at home (Morrison, 2014). The issue of how to teach the children from these cultures is an important one. One group believes that EAL children should enrol in a separate school. However, others believe that the children belong in a mainstream school. I believe the mainstream school is the best approach. This will give the children the greatest opportunity to learn the language in the quickest manner. An immersion approach to language learning has been shown to be a good method to learn a new language. Also foreign language education helps to improve the overall success of students (Benson, 2012).
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"Should EAL Children Attend a Regular School or a Special School?".
It is important that a teacher realizes that EAL students require excellent teaching as well. There are a number of things that a teacher can do to help an EAL student in the mainstream classroom. The most important is to recognize that the child may require additional assistance. The students may not feel comfortable in the classroom. The teacher should learn what language is spoken at home and where the child is from. The teacher should also do some background research about the student’s culture and native country. This will help the teacher and the student (Dixie, 2011).
Teachers should also recognize that commonly used phrases may not be understood by the students. Teachers should therefore be careful to not use these. If an idiom is used by the teacher, the teacher should explain it. It is also important that the teacher find out at what language level the student is (The Guardian, 2011).
Teachers need to empathise with EAL students. It is important for the teacher to recognize that the student left behind his or her home country, language, culture and friends. This can obviously be an overwhelming experience for the student. It is important for the teacher to recognize this and respond appropriately. The teacher should let the student know that he or she can come to the teacher for additional help or other concerns. A teacher should also work with the student and the parents with regards to additional programs that may be of assistance. Individuals who are new to a country may not realize the wealth of programs that are available to assist them to succeed. The teacher should also work to teach tolerance to all students in the classroom. Tolerance is an important part of education for all students, not just classrooms with EAL students (Education Scotland, 2014).
The most important thing any teacher can do for an EAL student is the same for every new student who enters the classroom environment. This is to support the student, encourage the student, welcome the student and offer any needed assistance to the student. The teacher should also foster friendships between the new student and the other students. It is important that any new student does not view the classroom or school environment as a threat. This will help EAL students and all students to succeed (National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum, 2011).
- Benson, J., 2012. Foreign language education improves young students’ academic success. Huffington Post. [online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
- Dixie, G. 2011. Top tips for teaching EAL students. New Teachers. [online]. Available at: http://newteachers.tes.co.uk
- Education Scotland. 2014. Supporting the development of EAL in primary schools. [online]. Available at: http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk
- Morisson, N., 2014. How schools are breaking down the language barrier for EAL students. The Guardian. [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com
- National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum. 2011. Supporting EAL learners in mainstream classes. [online] Available at: http://www.naldic.org.uk
- The Guardian. 2011. How to succeed with EAL students in the classroom. [online] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/
