Understand how to contribute to the assessment of bilingual learners
Table of Contents
Case Study
M is 4 years old (Summer born) and joined the Reception class after the autumn half term. Her parents speak both Arabic and English at home and have recently moved to the UK from Dubai. M is an only child with no experience of English outside of the home and very little experience of formal schooling prior to joining Reception.
- Is she classified as EAL or bilingual?
- What level of proficiency would you classify this learner as?
- What will you need to consider in meeting her well-being needs as a new arrival?
- How might M’s history and stage of language development impact her understanding of the school environment, expectations, and instructions?
- How can you plan to support this new arrival through the induction phase?
- What information will you need?
- What challenges might the learner be faced with?
- What school-based challenges might there be?
It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your tutor.