[eal-bilingual] Supporting home languages and bilingual strategies

This is getting easier in smaller authorities because of increased numbers so schools see the benefit of children using their home language.  

  Older Polish pupils have started to make talking books for the younger ones with Clicker 5, using both languages providing their own stories and illustrations.  

  We also suggest that pupils take home Mantra bilingual books and read them with family in Polish and then the teacher reads the story to the whole class in English.  

  Wikipedia is useful for older pupils as there is often a Polish version of information.  Some new pupils want to write in their home language but they have to be supported to put their ideas into English afterwards.  However this can only be permitted at the early settling in period. 

  Commenius language assistants seem to be a great idea and are free but schools need to know the deadline for application so as not to miss out.

  Janet Storey

Bill Bolloten <billboll1 at mac.com> wrote:
  Can any subscriber provide me with a few suggestions for key guidance 
on this area?

It can be any official guidance, websites or publications. I don't 
need research, but things that are accessible and useful for 
classroom practitioners.

Many thanks

Bill

Bill Bolloten
billboll1 at mac.com
Tel: 020 7033 9426
Mobile: 07790 031189
http://www.refugeeeducation.co.uk