by: RSP87 - 15-04-12 14:49
Hi,
We have a couple of new children starting our setting soon, they will only be with us for one term before heading into reception, they both speak Polish but do not speak English and they appear not to have an understanding of basic words either. Any tips on what we can do to develop language over a term?
Thanks,
Rachel
We have a couple of Polish children who had EAL and we were quite surprised at how much they picked up really quickly. As with all children, lots of commentary and giving of words. Don't expect them to repeat it back. All of our EAL children went through the 'quiet phase' for a while (usually about a term) before they started to speak a little English.
We were also advised to tell parents that they should speak their home language at home and English when in our setting. We also lent some bi-lingual books to the family - we have Going on a Bear Hunt in Polish. Parents read it at home and we read it in the setting.
by: whmon
Can you do some play using mirrors? Get the children to watch themselves saying a phrase in a hand held mirror, but incorporate it into a game of your devising. Believe me - this works wonders. I had 14 years full time experience of EAL in a senior position before owning a nursery.
by: Ens
I'm not sure if anyone 'has EAL' - it is actually a positive quality! I 'have got EAL' and have managed to wrk to a senior position in school! I canot believe that people still see this as a disadvantage! You need to do some research and reading as there is a mountain of literature that can support your own learning on the needs of these children. It is quite natural to go through silent phase when learning a new language. Use lots of gestures, visuals, hands on learning opportunities where adults comment and model language in a meaningful and purposeful way. Lots of repetition in such situations- this benefits the monolingual children. Rhymes and stories, involve their parents, share stories in small groups with them before you introduce the story to a larger group or whole class. And above all think of it as a postive - those children will group speaking more than one language and often outperform other children. Nursery World has produced information and guidance over the years. I have worked in a borough where over 95% of our children are bilngual, many of whom are beginners to English. It provide a rich environement and I have learned so much from those families -including key words in a variety of languages! Include their script and other other home artefacts in your setting so they feel welcome and valued. And forgive me, but I do feel that using mirrors sounds quite patronising! It's not about getting them to 'fit' our 'society', but opening ourselves open to something exciting, new and enriching!
Good luck!
by: whmon
Ens,
Using mirrors is not patronising at all and I'm at a loss as to why you think it is! It is simply a method that allows language learners to understand the way the lips and tongue work to produce different sounds, and an aid to reproducing those sounds when practising without the mirror.
Ens I think you are wrong to assume that EAL children are thought of as a disadvantage in settings, it is purely another challenge for our ever adapting and changing society, just as taking children with autism into my setting is. I also think that using mirrors is a fab idea but I was also thinking of this with the mainstream children as well as those with speech and language delay - it can be a versatile and exciting game!
by: x-mardimoo-x
I don't get the mirrors activity...sorry!
Visuals are definitely important when you marry the visual with the word then hey presto they know what you mean....also ask your parents to come and read a story...you read the english they read the polish or whatever other language you need....you can que your english speaking children to listen out for the polish word for bear and the polish speaking children into the english word for bear....assuming they aren't the same that is as some of them are :l
I also think its useful to ask the parents for a few key words in their language while the child is settling so they feel comfortable that you can understand them when they need the toilet or a drink for instance.....also simple signs can be helpful!
I don't think pressurising the child to say english words is good...it will ocme in time its surprising how quickly they learn form their peers!
Well we had some brilliant mirror games this week and one of my children loved it! He has global development delay and although at 4 and a half he can sign, he does not say very many words. This week he learnt to say 'mummy' as he was able to watch his mouth form the words. Good fun with Mr Tongue too!