Have you ever set up a new EAL department? If so, how did you go about establishing your targets and priorities for development? In this (very niche) post, I’ll summarize how I approached this at the start of the academic… Read More ›
reflections
Our EAL teaching and learning principles
Last term, Heads of Department (‘HoDs’) in our school were given an interesting task! We were instructed to work with our teams to devise a list of criteria for ‘what makes an outstanding [subject] lesson?’ These criteria would then help… Read More ›
Culturally sustaining pedagogy
In our upcoming resource, Adri Szlapak and I mention culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) in EAL teaching. Here’s a quick summary of the concept and some random reflections on it. What is CSP? In the intro to this article, Paris (2012)… Read More ›
Dialogue around displays
I had a great moment today that I’m banking through this blog post. Basically, I’d never really considered how much could be gained from collaborating over a wall display. Sounds random. But you know what it is like as a… Read More ›
Language Learning Role Models
In our EAL space we wanted to celebrate the success of our language learners. We chose language learning ‘role models’ from Key Stage 4. These were students who have had success/overcome challenges in their English learning journey since joining the… Read More ›
Year in review
Where to start? January obvs… ‘The big one’ At the start of the year I was deep into a project with Pearson International, writing the 2nd Edition of their IGCSE English as a Second Language coursebook. I’ve written about the… Read More ›
Implementing the Bell Assessment Framework
We’ve introduced the Bell Assessment Framework to monitor the progress of our EAL learners. Here are some early reflections on the framework and tracking tool, including some challenges arising from its implementation. Why Bell? Adri Szlapak and I are working… Read More ›
Reflection: Drop-in observations
Informal drop-in observations are the way forward. Well, they’re the norm in many places. But where they’re not, they should be. Why invest all that time in recruitment, have teachers go through round after round of interview, sometimes do demo… Read More ›
Back to the classroom!
My year as a freelance writer is over. I’m really looking forward to a return to the classroom next month. Here’s what I’ve been up to since last August, and a bit about what’s happening next. Freelancing I finished my… Read More ›
Intensive English programmes – what to include?
In my last post about intensive English programmes at international schools, I highlighted the importance of integrated (rather than segregated) provision. Think of the social/academic language the learners would develop from being immersed in the mainstream environment. The rich input… Read More ›
ELT Planning 