100 Ideas for Early Years Practitioners: Supporting EAL Learners

Book excerpt: There are more than one million children in UK schools who speak English as an additional language (EAL), and this number is continually rising. Many early years practitioners are unsure about how best to support these children and need guidance to do this with confidence. This book offers advice on how to welcome and provide for children with EAL and how to support their families, taking into consideration their unique identities and culture and ensuring that these are preserved and appreciated in the setting. With links to all areas of the curriculum and specific focus on language acquisition, each idea is straightforward and can be easily adapted and developed to suit children's individual needs. It is an essential guide for all practitioners in early years settings to raise your competence and confidence in providing for EAL learners.