EALD - Mawson Primary School

English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) is the study of English by students whose first language is a language or dialect other than English.

Specialist English support is available for students who are learning English as a second or additional language. At Mawson Primary School we have specialist teachers who work with classroom teachers to assist non English speaking students with their transition to a new language and culture.

Supporting our English Language Learners with Home Reading.

Our English as and Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D program) supports out students to become bilingual (and for some of our students multilingual!)

You are encouraged to use your first language to support your children with reading. This could be by:

· Discussing the topic of books in your first or home language before reading. Talk about what the book will be about and use your first language to explain any words or concepts that may be new for your child.

· Use your first language to prompt your child when they come to words they are stuck on.

· Ask your child to orally retell the story in their first language after you have read together.

· Read bilingual books together. You can borrow them from our school or local library.

· Make your own bilingual books. Record yourself telling your child’s favorite story in your home language for them to listen to again and again.

EALD parent fact sheets

These EAL/D parent fact sheet provides EAL/D parents with strategies to engage with schools to support their children's educational needs. The fact sheet has been translated into 12 high population and newly emerging languages within the ACT: Arabic, Burmese, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Karen, Korean, Mandarin, Mon, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Other useful EALD resources