[senco-forum] EAL Yearb 11 student

Candidates who have been in the UK for less than two years and for whom

People who have been learning English for less than two years are classed as
'Newly Arrived', that's why there is the two year stipulation.  Harsh though
it seems the view of the exam boards is that beyond a bilingual dictionary
(and extra time) a newly arrived candidate should have no other access
arrangement.  If this is not sufficient, ie a reader or amanuensis is
needed, then the candidate should not perhaps be entered for examinations in
the English language.  The issue here is that EAL is not an SEN.

As to assessment.  Birmingham La produced a really useful book a few years
back that presented a series of matricies so a comparrison of the pupil's
English NC levels could be made against expected progress to achieving CALP
(Cognitive and achademic language proficiency).  Through this you can see if
progress is being made at, above or below the expected rate.

I have the details of this book, and where you can get it at school which I
can post next week.  The booklet costs ?25.00.

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of Sharon
Fawcitt
Sent: 24 October 2007 13:06
To: 'Elizabeth Haffenden'; 'senco forum'
Subject: RE: [senco-forum] EAL Yearb 11 student

See regulations below concerning readers for EAL students.  If he is allowed
Extra time due to his EAL status,  then he must have been here less than 2
years - so the following regulation applies (from current regs - page  5
section 2.2.6

>>Candidates who have been in the UK for less than two years and for whom
English
is an additional language cannot have a reader unless a history of need and
provision can be established in their first language. A reader will not be
allowed if a
candidate's literacy difficulties are primarily caused by English not being
their first
language.<<

Sharon F
-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Elizabeth
Haffenden
Sent: 20 October 2007 23:16
To: senco forum
Subject: [senco-forum] EAL Yearb 11 student

I have a Polish boy in year 11 who has been asking me about access
arrangements for GCSEs.  He says he needs someone to read to him as he finds
it very difficult to understand written English. Also he finds it difficult
to write in English.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to tests I might use for GCSE exam
access arrangements applications.

I know he is entitled to use a Polish/English dictionary and to have extra
time but he feels this will not be sufficient.

I generally use WRAT reading and spelling, Penny Allcock handwriting,
Edinburgh and often Word Chains.  I could use Raven Matrices to ascertain
his level of thinking.

It would be helpful if there were an assessment for EAL students that I
could also use to ascertain if it is an EAL difficulty or if he is special
needs too?

What do other people do?

Liz
Secondary

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