English as an additional language (EAL) for Early Years

Here are some practical strategies and top tips for early years practitioners to effectively support children with EAL:

1. Create a welcoming environment

• Celebrate linguistic diversity by incorporating children's home languages into displays, labels, and activities; including resources that reflect them e.g. multicultural dolls, food items etc.
• Offer visual aids and multilingual signs to help EAL children feel comfortable and included.
• Encourage children to use their home language alongside English. Dual-language books and storytelling can be beneficial.

2. Focus on communication, not just language

• Use non-verbal communication, such as gestures, facial expressions, and body language, to support understanding.
• Use props, pictures, and real objects to convey meaning and support children's comprehension.

3. Engage families

• Work closely with families to understand the child's linguistic background. Encouraging parents to continue using the home language will help maintain a strong foundation for learning English.
• Share resources with families, such as translated materials or multilingual resources, that can aid in their child's development at home.
• Use Interpretation services such as Language Line to effectively communicate with families.

4. Be patient and encourage social interaction

• Allow children time to adjust and do not rush them to speak English. A "silent period" is a normal part of language acquisition.
• Pair EAL children with peers who can help them integrate and socialise. Peer modeling is a powerful tool for language development.

5. Plan for individual needs

• Tailor activities to match the child's language level. For example, if a child is still in the early stages of learning English, focus on familiar activities with repetitive language.
• Incorporate songs, rhymes, and stories that use repetitive phrases and patterns to support language learning.