Teaching children English as an additional language - Caroline Scott

Here is a typical classroom scenario: out of the thirty children, two-thirds speak a different language at home and only speak English at school. Even though many pupils' English skills are almost non-existent, teachers are expected to provide the national curriculum for every child in the class.

Teaching Children English as an Additional Language solves this problem with a ten-week teaching programme of units and lesson activities for children aged seven-eleven (Key Stage 2) new to English. It will help these children learn some very basic English sentences, questions and vocabulary, to get them through regular day-to-day routines more easily. By offering a flexible step by step approach this book helps EAL teachers to:

• identify learners' individual needs
• teach grammar and vocabulary
• support teaching through speaking and listening
• assess pupils to inform future planning

The programme also contains emergency lessons to support learners in the first three days, cross curricular links, ways of using a home-school learning book and an opportunity for the child to make a booklet about themselves. It fosters the child's home language, incorporates different learning styles as well as including a wealth of carefully tailored, themed resources. The programme is complete with activities, resources and assessment materials and helpful tips on how to develop a successful EAL department.