My name is Ella, I am a Practitioner in the Pre School room and I am currently the EAL coordinator here at Daisykins Day Nursery!

EAL, better known as English as an additional language, refers to children who understand and/or speak another language at home making English their second language or a language in which they are learning. My job consists of ensuring that these children are getting the best possible support whilst they attend the setting and that the environment they are learning in is inclusive to them and their personal language learning needs. I have a range of different English speaking resources that both the children and the Practitioners can use with their key children to support them with learning English and their communication skills. Alongside this I also feel strongly on the importance of encouraging their mother tongue at home and making sure the child is confident in speaking their first language too. 

I am always available for parents to ask questions incase they need resources or any guidance on how they can support their own children at home, so please ask if you ever need anything and I will happily do this for you! 

One website I feel gives great guidance on EAL Children and how to support them is The Bell Foundation. 

https://www.bell-foundation.org.uk/resources/guidance/classroom-guidance/what-is-eal-in-education/ 

This website gives all types of information on what English as an additional language is, how we can support these children both as parents and educators and they also provide blogs which they release relating to further information on EAL learners. 

I really hope this helps anyone who would like some further information, 

- Ella