English as an Additional Language support program.
Primary students with language needs are identified at enrolment and referred to the EAL specialist. Students are assessed and then placed in small EAL groups where they receive a number of special language tuition in their year groups. Groups are supported either in the classroom or they are withdrawn. Wherever possible, these sessions do not take place during other specialist times, with the exception of LOTE as the acquisition of English is given priority. New arrivals receive additional specialised instruction a few times a week.
The support program is structured to meet the academic needs of students at their various stages in the language acquisition process. Emphasis is placed upon improving the students' ability in all four macro skills that are needed fro successful participation in their mainstream programs. The support also aims to offer assistance with projects, homework tasks and other mainstream areas such as the PYP Units of Inquiry.
The primary EAL program offers a nurturing small group environment where students are able to gain confidence in coping with the challenges of instruction in their second language.
