EAL/D - English an Additional Language or Dialect 

At St Francis, Mrs Johannesen and Mrs Kinnas provide extra support and teaching to help students to further develop their literacy and English language skills.  They support students in a number of subject areas across the curriculum.  They also support teachers in developing learning programs and teaching practices suited to EAL/D students. Here is some news of some of the students learning this week.

Did you know that learning to read and write in your child’s first language helps their literacy development in English? This term our clever Kindergarten students who speak English as a Second or Additional Language (EALD) went on a nature hunt at school. We discovered 5 animals that live around our playground as well as what a ‘rough rock’ and ‘fuzzy feather’ feels like. The students also listened to different bird songs and found a plant that smells good and they even found their very own treasure. The group recorded this experience in words and pictures and then discussed how to say some of these items in their own language. Maybe your family might like to try this nature hunt in your backyard or at the park this week. We would LOVE to celebrate your findings with your child and the class in English and in your home language.