Author Archives

Teacher and Materials Writer

• Bell Assessment Framework: Guide for International Users

  By Pete on July 1, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  A few months back, I wrote about the CEFR and the benefits of reading the Companion Volume. Similarly, the Bell Assessment Framework also has a companion doc – a ‘Guide for International Users’. It’s a concise and accessible resource. Well… Read More ›

• EAL video summaries for parents

  By Pete on June 10, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  Earlier this year, we trialed video reports for our EAL parents and learners. Here’s a summary of what/why/how, pros, cons, etc. What were the video reports? We provided parents with a 5-minute video summary of their child’s progress across all… Read More ›

• EAL student voice

  By Pete on May 24, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  We request feedback on our EAL provision from learners twice a year – towards the end of Term 1 and Term 3. We are open to further feedback at any point, but that’s just when we request it. How do… Read More ›

• Our EAL exit process

  By Pete on May 20, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  As mentioned previously, our EAL learners follow a bespoke curriculum. Here’s some info on our exit process for learners moving from ‘EAL support’ into mainstream English classes. Step 1: A learner is referred by EAL teachers & coaches for possible exitWe… Read More ›

• EAL recruitment: sharing information with candidates

  By Pete on May 7, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  In this post, I will provide an example of the information we share with applicants for our EAL roles. I’ll start with the example, then I’ll outline: So, here it goes… This is a copy-paste of the information we shared… Read More ›

• Some general tasks for a new EAL department

  By Pete on April 29, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  I’ve posted a bit about the process of setting up a new EAL department. I’ve mentioned target setting, establishing teaching and learning principles, quality assurance processes, long- and medium-term planning, blah blah. You can view the posts through my Teaching… Read More ›

• IGCSE ESL LinkedInLit (Volume 1)

  By Pete on March 31, 2025 • ( 1 )

  

  Here’s a collection of my #LinkedInLit posts about IGCSE English as a Second Language. These are my latest ELT funnies, following on from TEFL Sniglets, Materials Writing Conversations and Crusader of Materials Writing  The story of Bob and the BlackBerry… Read More ›

• EAL long-term and medium-term planning

  By Pete on March 25, 2025 • ( 2 )

  

  I recently shared an example unit of work from our EAL syllabus. Here some further insight into the long-term and medium-term planning for our syllabus. We are only in the second year of setting up our provision. Year 1 was… Read More ›

• Assessment Only Route to QTS: D5 record of standards

  By Pete on March 19, 2025 • ( 0 )

  

  Comment from a reader on my recent post about the Assessment Only route: Here are some general tips on compiling your D5 record of standards doc for the AO route through Sunderland, with some screenshots of mine included for reference…. Read More ›

• A unit from our EAL syllabus

  By Pete on March 4, 2025 • ( 5 )

  

  At my school, we have created a bespoke English syllabus for learners on our KS3 EAL pathway. This may not sound like an ‘ideal’ model of EAL provision to you – and fair enough. Ideals are subjective – provision is… Read More ›