EAL students - what do you know, understand and believe?

Create an image showing a diverse classroom with students participating in language activities, with educational materials in multiple languages on the walls, evoking a sense of engagement and inclusivity.

Engaging EAL Quiz

Test your knowledge about English as an Additional Language (EAL) students with our comprehensive quiz! This quiz aims to enhance your understanding of EAL concepts, uncover common myths, and highlight effective strategies for supporting EAL learners.

7 thought-provoking multiple-choice questions
Gain insights from renowned experts in the field
Enhance your teaching strategies for EAL students

7 Questions2 MinutesCreated by CuriousTeacher104

All students who speak one or more language at home can fall into the EAL category.

True - The definition of EAL used in the English National Pupil Database reflects exposure to a language other than English at home or in the community; it gives no indication of a student’s proficiency in the English language. It is important that this is recognised. (From the Bell Foundation; Strand et al, 2015)

False - EAL has never been properly defined. As such, definitions range across countries and databases.

It takes three to seven years for an EAL learner to become fluent in English

True: Oral proficiency takes 3 to 5 years to develop, and academic English proficiency can take 4 to 7 years. (Hakuta, K., Butler, Y.G., & Witt, D. (2000)

A beginner can learn English in a year (2019, https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/faq/how-long-to-learn-english/#)

When learning English it is important to not use your mother tongue as much as possible so you can focus on your English

True - by focusing on the language you are learning, gains will be stronger (https://bilinguistics.com/speak-the-home-language/ 1981)

False - students do benefit from the use of the first language in the classroom, transferring concepts from their mother tongue to the new language. ( Madriñan 2014)

Students who are silent should be made to participate.

False: Many students who are starting the process of learning a new language go through a nonverbal or “silent period.” It’s not unlike when toddlers and preschoolers first acquire language. They typically understand what they hear before they learn how to speak. The length of the silent period when learning a new language depends on several factors. The richness of the student’s language instruction and interaction in the classroom both matter. Students’ confidence and whether they’re being encouraged to take risks are key, too. Even students who understand much of what they hear may still speak in short phrases or remain silent if they are not specifically engaged or don’t feel welcome to participate in the classroom. (Hamayan, E., Marler, B., Sanchez-Lopez, C., and Damico, J. (2007))

True - children who are asked to participate will learn their additional language more rapidly and will gain confidence from its use (Adetunji, 2018; https://theconversation.com/now-or-later-when-should-children-learn-english-96017)

EAL learning should NOT focus only on phonics.

False: The NSW Department of Education and Training state that: that phonics should be explicitly and systematically taught (2009)

True: The Bell Foundation argues that It is important that literacy support for EAL learners should not focus entirely on phonics. ‘The research is telling us that attention to phonics should not take place in isolation from activities that promote vocabulary building, meaning-making and comprehension’ (Edwards 2013).

EAL language development is the responsibility of the EAL teacher

False: All language development is the responsibility of all teachers. (https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/eight-english-learner-myths-administrators)

True: While all teachers have a part to play, the EAL teacher is the sole person in charge of the progress of the EAL child. (https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/eight-english-learner-myths-administrators)

It is better for families to speak and read to their children in English to help them improve.

False: Children need rich, multilingual modelling in their mother tongue to develop their abilities in linguistics as well as connecting to their cultural identity.(Celic and Seltzer, 2011)

True - the more children practice English in a variety of settings, the faster they will become confident in the use of that language.

EAL students - what do you know, understand and believe?

Engaging EAL Quiz

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