English Language Learners (ELLs)
Research shows that a strong home language contributes to the development of a strong second language and at Elckerlyc, we encourage our students to maintain their home languages whilst learning English. We recognise that children learning an additional language can become conversationally fluent in one to two years but that it can take, on average, five to seven years, often longer, to achieve competence in English. As English is the main language of instruction, we assess all new students’ language proficiency and then put appropriate support in place. An Intensive Programme is offered to all beginners and ELLs are also supported by the English Language teachers, in class or in a small group, depending on the focus of the lesson.
We have a team of specialist ELL teachers who liaise closely with the classroom teacher to enable children to:
- achieve continual progress in the acquisition of English
- recognise and understand their own bi/multilingualism and gain confidence in pursuing all their languages for learning (families are encouraged to actively pursue the development of the home language/s within the home)
- understand that there are a range of strategies they can use for their linguistic, cognitive and academic development, including use of their native language.
