Writing for EAL learners

Writing for EAL Learners - Jonathan Bifield

Date: Saturday 4th February 2022

Time: 10am - 11.45am GMT (doors open 10am; talk starts 10.15am)

Venue: This is a free online event

Writing is an essential tool for EAL learners to develop in the mainstream and they must master a wide range of written genres to be successful at school. Research conducted in the UK has shown that EAL learners face certain difficulties with writing at whole text, sentence, and word level. In addition, EAL learners need to familiarise themselves with the genres of writing they will encounter as they move through their education. One thing is clear from the research evidence, that the best place for the explicit teaching of writing to take place is in the classroom or subject the writing is being done in. One framework for teaching writing which has shown strong evidence in supporting EAL learners in becoming successful writers is the Teaching and Learning Cycle. This presentation will discuss all of the points raised and offer some practical solutions that practitioners can use in supporting EAL learners in becoming successful writers.

Bio: I am an EAL Coordinator at a large secondary school in the East Midlands with over 66% of the cohort being defined as EAL. I have a wide range of experience in both English language teaching and EAL and have worked in a range of settings from primary to further education in Thailand and the UK. I have an undergraduate degree in TEFL and an MEd in Bilingualism in Education. I am a regular contributor to NALDIC’s EAL journal and have written a range of articles including: translanguaging in the mainstream, vocabulary, reading, writing, supporting new arrivals, digital technology, and co-teaching. I have my own blog ‘EAL in the Daylight’ which aims to support practitioners in providing the best support to EAL learners in their classrooms. My recent contribution to the ResearchEd guide to EAL featured a chapter on writing for EAL learners.