Let’s use this thread to ask the questions we assume everyone else knows the answer to! Genuinely, there is no such thing as a silly question so ask away...
Is anyone able to give me a definitive answer regarding EAL and SEND, please, and whether all EAL are SEND automatically?
Judith did said we could ask anything and that there are no silly questionS...🙈
Hi Linny thank you so much for asking this question. The definitive answer is that EAL itself is NOT an SEN, although of course, some learners with EAL may also have SEN. This is likely to have been observed when using their home language. It is important to remember that children can fall behind in their learning for all sorts of reasons. They may have missed a significant amount of school, they may have experienced significant change in their lives (such as moving in with Carers) that has led to emotional disruptions, or they may have a 'learning difficulty that requires special educational provision' ie they have SEN. If you are wondering whether to identify a learner with EAL on your SEN record, the important issue is to evaluate whether their needs are more than 'just' language. Where possible discuss with Families and gather as much information as you can. Observe their learning using non-verbal tasks such as problem solving puzzles or games. If you think there is evidence of need 'beyond' language then yes absolutely identify them on your record and ensure that you provide provision that is additional to or different from the differentiated curriculum. But be clear, you are identifying them as having SEN not EAL. Of course for all learners with EAL, it is essential that they receive support to develop language skills, but this is provision for EAL not SEN. Hope that helps? I am happy to discuss further and would certainly encourage other forum members to express a view..
Is anyone able to give me a definitive answer regarding EAL and SEND, please, and whether all EAL are SEND automatically? Judith did said we could ask anything and that there are no silly questionS...🙈
Hi Linny thank you so much for asking this question. The definitive answer is that EAL itself is NOT an SEN, although of course, some learners with EAL may also have SEN. This is likely to have been observed when using their home language. It is important to remember that children can fall behind in their learning for all sorts of reasons. They may have missed a significant amount of school, they may have experienced significant change in their lives (such as moving in with Carers) that has led to emotional disruptions, or they may have a 'learning difficulty that requires special educational provision' ie they have SEN. If you are wondering whether to identify a learner with EAL on your SEN record, the important issue is to evaluate whether their needs are more than 'just' language. Where possible discuss with Families and gather as much information as you can. Observe their learning using non-verbal tasks such as problem solving puzzles or games. If you think there is evidence of need 'beyond' language then yes absolutely identify them on your record and ensure that you provide provision that is additional to or different from the differentiated curriculum. But be clear, you are identifying them as having SEN not EAL. Of course for all learners with EAL, it is essential that they receive support to develop language skills, but this is provision for EAL not SEN. Hope that helps? I am happy to discuss further and would certainly encourage other forum members to express a view..
Thank you, so much, Judith!