English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
The Department of Education supports EALD students to attain Standard Australian English (SAE) language proficiency necessary for successful participation in schooling by providing EALD programs in mainstream school settings. The focus of these programs is to improve the oral and written SAE language competence of eligible students across the curriculum and to support the teachers of these students.
At Willetton Primary School (WPS), we celebrate that we have students from 38 different nationalities speaking 48 languages other than English in the community. We are a proud culturally diverse school, with EALD learners bringing a wealth of cultural and linguistic knowledge, experiences and world views, making our learning environment richer for everyone. We value all students' first language and encourage families to speak their first language until they start school and continue speaking this as the main language spoken at home, whilst maintaining their SAE language proficiency.
Students and teachers at WPS have access to the EALD Coordinator for support. When students arrive at WPS with gaps in their ability to communicate in SAE or if they have reduced literacy skills because of EALD delays, the classroom teacher will refer them to the EALD Coordinator for further assessment and guidance. This support is carried out by assisting the classroom teacher within the classroom and/or by small group instruction focusing on aspects of language and literacy. The EALD Coordinator develops inclusive, culturally and linguistically responsive small group teaching programs and works closely with WPS staff.
Some EALD students may appear to have good interpersonal communication skills; however, as academic language demands increase in the curriculum, gaps in their SAE language skills can appear. This means the teaching will move from an interpersonal communication focus to an academic one.
The EALD Coordinator is also available to support parents to help their children at home. From time to time, the school holds EALD parent sessions (with translators, if necessary) to present information to help parents understand different aspects of schooling in Australia. Translators are also available for meetings between parents and teachers if required.
Newly arrived students to Australia who have very limited SAE may be referred to our local Intensive English Centre (IEC) at Beaconsfield Primary School where they will access more comprehensive support. Some students are referred to the IEC for support in Year 1 after completing Pre-Primary at WPS. Students exiting the program at the IEC after 12 or more months are better prepared to be back in mainstream classrooms.
Identified EALD students are assessed and reported on using the Education Department Progress Maps in conjunction with the usual A-E grading and reporting process. This is so that they can show progress as they acquire SAE language skills over several months or even years. When students reach level 4 or 5 on their Progress Maps in most of the modes (Listening, Speaking, Reading & Viewing and Writing) at the end of Year 2, they would usually be at the equivalent of a level C (satisfactory achievement) for English. This means their SAE language skills are comparable with expectations for their year group, and they require less EALD support and will graduate from the EALD support program. Classroom teachers will continue to implement strategies that support the engagement of EALD students in a whole class setting.
Please click on the links below to access vital information to support your transition to schooling at WPS.
Multilingual Australia
Raising a Bilingual Child
Canning Libraries - Resources
Canning – Local History Resources
Storytime, in your own language!