Waikato Journal of Education 11(2):2005 PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE LITERACY PRACTICE FOR EAL STUDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND CLASSROOMS1 (original) (raw)
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Principles of Effective Literacy Practice for EAL Students in New Zealand Classrooms
Waikato Journal of Education, 2016
The New Zealand Ministry of Education has recently identified the need for teachers to be prepared to meet the needs of English as an additional language (EAL) 2 students in New Zealand schools more effectively. This paper offers a number of principles to guide policy, practice and teacher development. The paper draws on Alton-Lee's (2003) best evidence synthesis of quality teaching for diverse students, and Franken and McComish's (2003a, 2003b) observations and analysis of provisions for EAL students in New Zealand schools. The principles, grounded in second language and literacy acquisition research, point to the need to provide particular enabling conditions for the literacy development of EAL students if they are to achieve as well as their English-speaking peers.
2014
This article presents observations and discussion of the successful teaching of English to pupils, in English primary schools, for whom English is an additional language (EAL). It draws on research in Year 2 (6-7-year old) classes in three inner-city primary schools carried out in 2003 and 2005. Three recognized, effective teachers of literacy were selected for case study; all worked in successful schools where results for literacy, measured by national tests, were in line with or better than national averages. Following analyses of lesson observations and interviews with the teachers, their head teachers and the EAL coordinators in the schools, a number of common elements in their practice emerged. Discussion centres on how these pedagogical features supported effective learning environments for the early literacy development of bilingual children, and on the implications for the practice of teaching English to all pupils.
Educational Review, 2017
This study looks at schools that serve English as an additional language (EAL) pupils and examines the factors behind their successful achievement. A complementary methodological approach of case studies and focus groups was used to explore performance and the views of teachers, governors, parents and pupils, and to evaluate and gather evidence on how well all pupils are achieving and the factors contributing to this. The main findings of the research identified strategies where schools were successful in raising achievement of pupils with EAL. Each case study school has its own character and emphasis but it is clear, from the evidence of the study, that they have common characteristics which underpin their success. These include providing strong leadership on equality and diversity, an understanding of pedagogy that best supported pupils with EAL, targeted support towards their progress, an inclusive curriculum which recognised and celebrated pupils' cultural heritage and the use of performance data for school improvement which included the tracking of individual pupils' progress and achievement. There are, however, some limitations to this study. While we do not aim to make generalisations from these case studies, we would argue that learning from the good practice in the case studies can make a difference to schools. The recommendation from this study is that there is a need for further research in different schools, Local Authorities (LAs) and regions in England to explore in detail what schools do differently, or more intensively, to support pupils with EAL.
2010
This article presents an initial review of research (published in English) on the impact, internationally, of English as an additional language (EAL) provision in the school sector. The impact is on English language learners (ELL): children and young people for whom English is an additional language and who are thought to need extra help with English to succeed in the school system. The review looks not only at the impact on children and young people, but also at the nature and efficacy of the teacher workforce, concluding that there are several gaps in provision and in research in the field.
2017
In this 21st century, English has become an indispensible part of the educational curriculum in Fijian schools. Despite all the efforts being invested and devoted to inculcate the commendable level of English among Fijian learners, the resultant outcome could not produce an acceptable level to relevant authorities, in particular, the ministry of education's expectations. This is especially true in this current era whereby the level of English is deteoriating swiftly. The paper tends to look into the challenges faced by the non-native teachers of English. It further recommends the desired solutions to address the challenges and how learners of this supreme language could further uplift their standard by adapting to the desired strategies. This paper will also investigate the roles of non-native teachers of English and the fallacies that are associated with it. More imperatively, the research will also highlight the dire need for non-native teachers of English to up skill their existing qualifications, so that they are able to realise the true potential of addressing the challenges which they are facing. On the onset, this paper will adopt the TESL theory of communicative learning theory (CLT) to elucidate the vacuum in the field of non-native teachers of English. The findings of the research will undoubtedly help the English sentient people in the field of linguistics and applied linguistics in Fiji's context.
Perspectives in Education, 2021
Teachers play a significant role in literacy development. They are responsible for using different approaches to develop literacy skills among learners whose mother tongue is not the same as the language of learning and teaching in schools. This article aims to explore strategies teachers use to develop literacy skills among English First Additional Language learners. A qualitative case study was conducted that involved focus group interviews to gain in-depth knowledge of the strategies teachers use in their classes to develop literacy skills. For this article, Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development is used as a theoretical framework. The participants were six foundation phase teachers from one district in Gauteng. The data gathered showed that teachers are trying to use strategies described in the curriculum policy document. Teachers were unaware that they were using some of the most contemporary strategies in their classes such as balanced-literacy approach, play-based approach and evidence-based approach. Findings showed that teachers had good knowledge and understanding of literacy however, they were experiencing some challenges. They cited lack of support from knowledgeable others and appropriate teacher development and training. The study recommends that teachers need continuous training and development, literacy text should be contextualised and continued support from the school heads of department, curriculum advisors and subject specialist. It also recommends an in-depth knowledge, understanding and implementation of the curriculum policy.
Literacy in ESL: Pedagogical and Cultural Pathfinding in Fiji
1991
Although English is a colonial heritage in Fiji, it links the country's different ethnic groups and is the language of instruction for formal education. This paper examines pedagogical and cultural implications of the present primary English curriculum, based on findings from an empirical study of primary English teaching in Fiji. It reviews the materials and methodology in large-scale use in the country and demonstrates how present English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teaching is at odds with both curriculum aims and childreli's real needs for ESL skills. Innovations in teaching methods and materials are discussed. Contains 8 references. (LB)
2005
The current paper draws on the findings of two recent research reports commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Education (Alton-Lee, 2003; Franken & McComish, 2003) in order to generate a synthesised statement of characteristics of quality teaching for students for whom English is not the first language (referred to from here as NESB students) in New Zealand schools. Alton-Lee (2003, see Ministry of Education website, www.minedu.govt.nz) provides a synthesis of research-based evidence addressing the nature of quality teaching in schooling for the full range of diverse students. In this work, diversity encompasses “many characteristics including ethnicity, socio-economic background, home language, gender, special needs, disability, and giftedness” (Alton-Lee, 2003, p. v). Because her synthesis addresses diversity in the student population, she focusses on what is common to diverse students and thus does not specify particular conditions that pertain to any one sub-group of divers...
Addressing Literacy in Secondary Schools: Introduction
Language and Education, 2007
This special issue of Language and Education 1 reports on an independent threeyear research evaluation of a major professional development initiative to promote cross-curricular, whole school literacy policies -also known in the wider literature as 'school language policies' -in secondary schools in New Zealand. The findings from this evaluation, we believe, have significant implications for other national contexts.
2024
The study aimed at exploring the impact of English as an additional language on EAL pupils’ reading skills at Key Stage 2 at Oak Tree Primary School (Birmingham, Britain) with a view to identifying whether English as an additional language presents a barrier to the development of EAL young pupils’ reading skills, the strategies used to support EAL young pupils to develop their reading skills, and how effective these strategies are in this regard. The study, which employed the qualitative approach, involved collecting data through semi-structured interviews with the EAL pupils’ class teacher and the ESL mentor, observation of three Arab EAL young pupils at Key Stage 2, and documentary analysis of the school’s EAL policy. The study revealed that the EAL young pupils could make some progress in reading through one-to-one support from staff and by being provided with well-developed resources. In spite of this, EAL pupils still underperform in comparison with their native English-speaking counterparts. The findings rationalized providing EAL pupils with bilingual support to help them overcome their reading difficulties.