Overview
Northbridge values the rich diversity that different languages and cultures bring to an educational community. The EAL department supports English language learners as they acquire the level of English needed to communicate effectively in social situations at school and be academically successful in their classrooms.
At Northbridge, English Language Learners (ELL’s) are immersed in the classroom, providing a language rich learning environment and ensuring them equal access to the curriculum. Students who are newer to English and require additional language support are identified as EAL students (English as an Additional Language).
Both classroom teacher and EAL specialist collaborate to provide sheltered instruction as outlined in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP).
How are students identified and placed in the EAL Programme?
As part of the Northbridge admission procedure, all new students (KG-12) who are non native speakers of English are tested to determine their level of English.
Placement is based on:
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Admissions test results
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Information from previous school records
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An interview with the student
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Consultation with parents
What are the levels of EAL Support in the Primary School?
Students receive EAL support according to their individual needs which have been determined through assessment. These levels of support are:
Immersion – the child receives support from the classroom teacher during literacy or unit of inquiry.
In-class support – the child receives support from an EAL teacher during literacy or unit of inquiry lessons.
Pull-out support – the child receives specialized language instruction with an EAL teacher during the languages block and/or during literacy time. Support focuses on developing skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The student is also supported by an EAL teacher during literacy and unit of inquiry lessons.
What are the levels of EAL Support in the Secondary School
English Language Acquisition & English B – EAL students are enrolled in English Language Acquisition (MYP) or English B (DP). This class is taught by a teacher trained and qualified in language acquisition.
In-class support – the student receives support from an EAL teacher in their subject classes. The EAL and subject teacher collaborate to ensure the curriculum is accessible.
How is progress in English assessed?
The length of enrolment in the EAL program is determined by how quickly the student acquires social and academic proficiency in English.
An EAL student’s language learning progress is measured systematically through a variety of in-class performance assessment and standardized testing on a regular basis. Students may be promoted to the next level of support when they have the required benchmarked skills, which are supported in assessments and observations of both the classroom and EAL teachers.