Empowering Children with English as an Additional Language

In England, English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners are defined as those who have been ‘exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English’ (Department for Education, 2019). In primary schools across England, as many as 975,238 children were reported as speaking English as an Additional Language. Furthermore, an additional 601,238 students in secondary schools were recorded as EAL (School Census, 2021).

Making an impact

Supporting children with EAL in the classroom is vital for creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Educators can make a significant impact by providing targeted support, resources, and strategies to help these students develop their language skills and bridge any gaps in their understanding. This not only promotes academic success but also fosters a strong sense of belonging and cultural appreciation. 

Supporting EAL learners with reading

Reading is a complex skill to learn, especially when you are trying to read in a language that isn't your first. As educators, we have a responsibility to ensure that we provide children with EAL the necessary resources and support they require in order to succeed. By offering tailored materials and fostering a supportive learning environment, we can help these students overcome language barriers and develop strong reading skills in English.

Reading Aloud

Encouraging children to read aloud is not only one of the best ways to assess their decoding skills and overall reading development, but it also plays a vital role in supporting children with EAL in expanding their vocabulary. When children read aloud, they engage in the active practice of word recognition, pronunciation, and comprehension. This multi-sensory approach provides them with a deeper understanding of the language, facilitating their language acquisition journey and fostering confidence in their linguistic abilities.

Using Fonetti to support your EAL pupils

Fonetti is a classroom tool that can play a crucial role in supporting children with EAL on their reading journey. With its specialised features, Fonetti offers a comprehensive solution to boost language learning and literacy skills. The Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system recognises complex reading patterns and understands multiple accent groups, including those where English is an additional accent. 

Outlined below are three ways to support children with EAL.

Pronunciation & Vocabulary Development

Ensuring proper pronunciation and vocabulary development is crucial for children, especially those with English as an additional language. Language serves as the foundation for all learning, and without it, children are immediately disadvantaged.

Children read aloud to Fonetti. When words are read correctly, the advanced speech recognition turns them green. If a word is skipped or misread, it turns subtly grey and children can double tap a word if they get stuck for an audible clue. This enables children to hear how the word is pronounced. Children are then able to repeat the word back to Fonetti. The multi-sensory approach greatly benefits children with EAL in their reading development journey. It enhances their learning and comprehension by engaging various senses and promoting a holistic understanding of written language. In addition to this, Fonetti introduces children to a broad range of vocabulary. By encouraging them to read new words aloud, we enhance their ability to retain and remember these words. 

Confidence Booster

Children with EAL often experience anxiety while reading aloud, especially when facing the scrutiny of adults and classmates. This anxiety can even lead to a dislike for reading. Fonetti offers a safe environment for children to read, providing instant and constructive feedback to facilitate their progress. Here, they can solely focus on improving their reading skills without worrying about judgement. Fonetti also serves as a valuable resource for reluctant readers, helping ignite a love for reading. Through incentives and acknowledgment, Fonetti enhances fluency, accuracy, vocabulary, and confidence, making the reading journey an enriching one for every child.

Parental Support

As educators, it is of utmost importance that we collaborate closely with parents of children with English as an Additional Language (EAL). By equipping them with the necessary tools to support their children's learning at home, we ensure that these students receive the optimal preparation for academic success. By doing so, we foster a conducive environment where children with EAL can thrive.

Fonetti can be utilised by children not only at school but also at home, offering them the chance to read English books aloud and receive immediate, constructive feedback, even if their parents are not proficient in English. This valuable tool empowers young learners to improve their reading skills while fostering a love for the language.