[eal-bilingual] Testing of EAL pupils

Some schools take the opposite view and put students in some higher
ability classes (esp maths) to see what happens. After all, it's no
different to move them down than it is to move them up if they are
inappropriately placed! 

People also try to make judgements on the basis of non-linguistic
observations, looking at personal factors in the child's behaviour - do
they seem able/eager to catch on quickly, do they look as if they are
concentrating despite the language difficulty, do they bring resources
in with them such as dictionaries - i.e. do they show signs of
motivation and self-direction that are common indicators of higher
ability. How do they behave socially? Are they communicators with
whatever limited resources they have? 

The internet makes it possible to find sites/texts in the child's first
language and observing how they respond to these might also be
indicative of motivation/ability (for example if they grab the mouse and
navigate their own way round!).

Maths assessments just using numbers might give an indication of
previous experience and ability or logic puzzles (e.g. number jigsaws or
3d solids that have to be assembled).

If you have standard assessments that are used to place them then what
scope is there for an EAL specialist to adapt them to make them more
accessible (e.g. through the use of visuals, oral support, access to
bilingual dictionaries, etc.)

Obviously, the ideal is to have a bilingual assessment of their previous
education conducted by someone who speaks their first language and knows
about the education system. If the child can't provide this information,
maybe the parent can, or, less ideally, another child who speaks the
same language (issues of confidentiality might arise here).

Start with the assumption that the child will achieve and they are more
likely to rise to the challenge than sink without trace.

Frank

-----Original Message-----
From: eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:eal-bilingual-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of helen
tucker
Sent: 21 March 2007 17:17
To: eal-bilingual at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [eal-bilingual] Testing of EAL pupils

All pupils wishing to join our school (secondary) are tested to find the
approriate group for them.  Our EAL pupils are consistently coming out
with low scores so are placed in the bottom groups.  After a few lessons
it becomes apparent that the pupils are wrongly placed - they should be
going into higher ability groups.

How do other schools test their EAL pupils' ability?  Any advice/info
offered gratefully received.

Helen

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