English as an Additional Language (EAL)

EAL Programme at UISG

Our beliefs about language learning and learners shape our EAL support programme at UISG. Language is a valuable resource, and we encourage multilingualism in our students. As English is the language of instruction in the school, our EAL programme is designed to bolster, support and develop the English levels of our students. It is scaffolded to meet each student’s diverse stages of language development. We understand that language development and learning occur over time and through meaningful engagements in activities. Our functional approach to language development focuses on the purposeful use of language.

EAL in Primary

At UISG, we take pride in our commitment to providing a holistic and inclusive education for all our students. The Primary EAL Programme is a pivotal element of this commitment, serving as a cohesive and comprehensive English language support initiative for our diverse student body.

Collaborative Approach for Language Growth
Our EAL teachers work closely with homeroom teachers, fostering a collaborative environment to support students’ English language growth. This collaborative effort ensures seamless integration of language development strategies within the broader curriculum.

Framework and Resources
Upon admission to UISG Primary School, students are assessed based on their admission data, previous or current English language proficiency evidence, and the WIDA Screener test conducted for the EAL Enhanced Program.

The WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework and National Geographic resources are valuable tools for planning and implementing our language curriculum. These resources guide our educators in creating an environment that promotes systematic, explicit, and sustained language development.

Utilizing WIDA for Comprehensive Support
EAL Educators utilize the WIDA framework to:

Promote and guide systematic, explicit, and sustained language development.
Support collaboration among UISG teachers for content and language integration in culturally and linguistically sustaining ways.
Monitor multilingual learners’ language growth.
Provide standards-referenced feedback to students and families.

Curriculum Foundations
Read Write Inc Phonics (RWI), Comprehension, and Fresh Start form the backbone of our language foundations programme for UISG EAL students. These programs provide content material and offer a pedagogical approach aligned with AERO language foundations and WIDA standards. EAL teachers complement this by giving additional mathematical language instruction and UOI push-in sessions.

EAL in Secondary

EAL Enhanced is a comprehensive and structured program for secondary school students with identified English language support needs. It includes various language support options, from class push-ins and pull-outs to additional English language lessons embedded in the regular timetable.

The EAL Enhanced program is delivered in six-week cycles, framed by WIDA assessments to monitor students’ progress and inform further support. UISG secondary students receive small-group instruction from qualified EAL and learning support teachers, who closely and consistently collaborate with the UISG leadership and subject departments to ensure the students develop basic interpersonal communication skills and cognitive academic language proficiency.

UISG Secondary School considers the students’ admission data, previous or current English language proficiency evidence, and WIDA Screener test results conducted at the school for the EAL Enhanced Programme. Based on the identified needs, students are placed in a tiered support system and reassessed every six weeks for progress. The program aims to give all students access to the IB curriculum in English as the language of instruction at UISG.

Students exit the EAL Enhanced program once they demonstrate the language proficiency required to work independently in the mainstream classroom.

FAQ's

How is my child assessed?

Assessment is viewed as an ongoing process. EAL teachers assess students’ language proficiency and monitor students’ classroom performance in collaboration with classroom and specialist teachers. WIDA 2020 Edition proficiency descriptors are used to monitor student progress.

When will my child exit the EAL Programme?

EAL support is no longer required when the child demonstrates the language and skills necessary to work independently in the mainstream classroom. EAL teachers will continue to “check in” with students in their homeroom class to monitor their progress and offer support.