29 Jan 2016
By Rehana Ahmed
Language of Science Workshop at the Norfolk MAAS (Minorities Achievement and Attainment Service)

Language of Science Workshop at the Norfolk MAAS (Minorities Achievement and Attainment Service)

At this Conference, which focused on Language Acquisition and Literacy, Manny Vazquez, from Hounslow Language Service , led a Science workshop. This aimed to share some useful strategies to develop communication skills of EAL learners through the Science curriculum. The session finished with participants doing practical activities which involved physics and a ‘coat hanger’ ! A fun time had by all. The keynote speaker and a fellow workshop presenter was Professor Stephen Krashen, whose work on Language Acquisition, Comprehensible Input and Reading is core study for EAL academics.
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29 Jan 2016
By Rehana Ahmed
EAL Reading Workshop for Beginners at Ramnoth Junior School in Wisbech

EAL Reading Workshop for Beginners at Ramnoth Junior School in Wisbech

In January, the Elliot Foundation held a Conference at Ramnoth Junior School in Wisbech on the Topic of ‘Getting Reading Right’. Andy Harvey, from Hounslow Language Service , provided workshops which focused on ‘Developing Reading for EAL Beginners’. He introduced the importance of recognising that both background knowledge and an understanding of the language system are key to getting meaning from texts. He stressed the need to provide a rich contextual background, building on previous knowledge, using visuals, artifacts, displays and previous vocabulary. Participants were enthused by the range of practical activities and ideas and the very useful HLS Model…
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29 Jan 2016
By Rehana Ahmed
NQT Training in Hereford

NQT Training in Hereford

Andy Harvey from Hounslow Language Service, was invited by HereTeach to provide EAL training for new teachers in Herefordshire. In fact, the 42 staff attending included several experienced teachers who valued the opportunity to focus on EAL.  In this session, teachers gained knowledge about the needs of Beginner EAL pupils and also how to extend the language skills of more Advanced EAL learners. Teachers commented on the many useful teaching activities and resources which they were going to use in class. They appreciated the practical focus of the day and commented on how helpful many of the differentiation ideas would…
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20 Nov 2015
By Rehana Ahmed
Fantastic Keynote Presentation by Manny Vazquez at the NALDIC Conference!

Fantastic Keynote Presentation by Manny Vazquez at the NALDIC Conference!

At Saturday’s Conference, at Kings College London, Manny gave a lively and entertaining keynote presentation about how to use EAL assessment effectively. He gave an example of assessing an EAL Beginner and putting together a step by step programme of teaching to support that student in achieving full linguistic competency. This case study illustrated all the challenges of linking local EAL fluency stages to national and international measures such as CEFR new standards as well as new GCSE bands and IELTS. As always, Manny was informative and practical, linking EAL assessment to on-going EAL classroom teaching. We are glad to…
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04 Sep 2015
By Rehana Ahmed
Training in Doha

Training in Doha

Manny Vazquez and Andy Harvey have just  returned from Doha where they were  delivering  training   at the Al Maha Academy for Boys. Participants came  from the Ta’lluum Group of schools which also includes Al Maha Girls and the Al Jazeera Academy. The 80 Participants included year leaders in Primary and subject leaders in Secondary. The theme of the programme was  developing academic language and literacy for EAL students. The aim is to build capacity among senior staff members, who will then cascade the training in their own areas. If you are interested in this training for your school please…
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03 Sep 2015
By Ellis64Mark
New term, new courses

New term, new courses

We are now taking bookings for 8 great new courses running between now and December. Subjects include... WELCOMING BILINGUAL CHILDREN INTO EARLY YEARS SETTINGS DEVELOPING LANGUAGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM THROUGH GEOGRAPHY ACHIEVING THE NEW STANDARDS FOR EAL STUDENTS IN GCSE ENGLISH To see there full list, view course details and book, please visit our Courses page.
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29 Aug 2015
By Rehana Ahmed
HLS Summer Conference – a Great Success!

HLS Summer Conference – a Great Success!

Over 100 participants came to our Summer Conference at St Mary’s University. The Keynote speech, by Professor Constant Leung of King's College London, gave a thought-provoking and thorough overview of assessment in relation to EAL learners over the past 30 years. He highlighted key issues that need to be considered and drew on Australian, European and American models to provide a useful framework to guide our thinking as we seek to  develop an assessment system that would promote the effective teaching and learning of EAL learners. The workshops were described as “enjoyable and full of useful, practical ideas” It was…
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29 Aug 2015
By Rehana Ahmed
Training in Alicante – August 2015

Training in Alicante – August 2015

Our International work continues this year as Andy Harvey jets off to Kings College in Alicante at the end of August. His course follows on from the successful training sessions led by Manny Vazquez last year – on ‘Language and Literacy for Advanced EAL Learners’. This year Andy is focusing the training programme, for 40 staff, on ‘Developing Academic Language and Literacy’. We know he will manage to pack in some culinary ‘workshops’! If this subject interests you, we are arranging a similar course -  ‘Developing Grammatical Accuracy’  here at Lampton   on  1st December  2015. Visit our new website for…
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