The presentation will examine causes of underachievement among immigrant-background and other multilingual learners and the evidence-based educational directions that respond to these causal factors. Potential causes of underachievement go beyond simply the challenges of acquiring the language of instruction. In addition to the challenges of developing conversational and academic skills in English, many multilingual learners are also experiencing the effects of both poverty and broader patterns of discrimination in the wider society. The presentation will discuss the research evidence relating to these factors and describe teaching interventions that have the potential to reverse patterns of underachievement resulting from all three causal factors. A central element in the creation of whole school policies and instructional practices that will engage all learners entails mobilising pupils’ multilingual resources and helping them to bring their languages into productive contact with English. The presentation will describe how educators have pursued these goals in a growing number of schools that have joined the ‘language-friendly schools’ network in recent years (www.languagefriendlyschool.org).

Areas of focus will include:

· The causes of underachievement in multilingual learners.

· The challenges of developing conversational and academic skills.

· The need for evidence-based strategies.

· The impact of poverty and discrimination on raising attainment.

· The creation of whole school policies to engage all learners.

· The interventions which can support learners’ language development.

· The advantages of using all learners’ language repertoires.

· The benefits of becoming a language friendly school.

· Opportunities to ask Jim Cummins questions.

Who should register for the webinar:

School staff working at primary and secondary level, including:

· School leaders

· Teachers;

· EAL teachers;

· Teaching assistants;

· Support for Learning Workers;

· EAL coordinators;

· Anyone with responsibility for EAL;

· Teaching and Learning leads;

· Phase leaders;

Why you should register for this webinar:

· A great opportunity to hear expert advice from Dr. Jim Cummins

· One-hour intensive session with Q&A

· Access to session recording;

· First to hear about future webinars and how to sign up.

If you have any questions that specifically relate to the webinar topic, which you would like answered during the live session, please send them to: webinar@bell-foundation.org.uk.

If the webinar is full, please complete the wait list form and you will be contacted if a place becomes available. Everyone on the wait list will be sent a copy of the webinar recording.

Ticket sales close on 15 May at 12:00 UK time.

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The webinar URL will be issued 90 minutes before the session. When you receive the webinar URL, please check that it takes you to the event room, if not, please email: info@bell-foundation.org.uk. Please note that you will not be able to log in to the webinar event room in advance. Please check your “junk” folder if you have not received this information one hour before the event.

Biographies:

Dr Jim Cummins

Jim Cummins, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. His research focuses on literacy development in educational contexts characterized by linguistic diversity. In numerous articles and books, he has explored the nature of language proficiency and its relationship to literacy development with particular emphasis on the intersections of societal power relations, teacher-student identity negotiation, and literacy attainment. He has been awarded four honorary doctorates from universities in Greece, Norway, and the United States.

Scottish Association for Teaching English as an Additional Language
SATEAL exists to foster and develop the teaching of English as an Additional Language (EAL) in a multiethnic environment through our conference and website. SATEAL organises an annual conference in person and virtual events for educators across Scotland who are working with bilingual learners and wish to develop their professional skills and knowledge. The SATEAL Conference is an ideal opportunity to network and share with EAL colleagues and professionals from across Scotland and beyond.

Important notice: there are only two websites authorised to promote and take bookings for this event run by The Bell Foundation. These are: The Bell Foundation’s website and Eventbrite. Please do not book, or express interest in, this event through any other website or platform.