No two EAL learners are the same, some may need more time than others to settle in the new environment. They will usually observe their peers and surroundings before they are ready to join in. They may want to participate but due to lack of language they find it difficult. It might also affect their behaviour.
EAL Learners must concentrate much harder than their peers to make sense of their new surroundings. This may make them tired, unresponsive or irritable at first. They may go through an extended silent period and appear disengaged.
It may take many years for a pupil to acquire social and academic use of English language.
* Some children who have been born in the UK may not have developed any English. This will be due to the sole use of first language at home.
These booklets ( see links below) provide relevant information as well as practical ideas for practitioners to support the acquisition of the English language and meet the cultural needs of children who are learning English as an Additional Language.
Nursery EAL Support Strategies
