Teaching EAL: Evidence-based Strategies for the Classroom and School

This book offers an evidence-based guide to EAL for everyone who works with multilingual learners. It provides a concise, helpful introduction to the latest research underpinning three key areas of EAL practice: How children acquire additional languages How language works across the curriculum How you can establish outstanding EAL practice in your school. Other key features include case studies from experienced EAL specialists, extensive reading recommendations for teachers who want to build on their knowledge, and a detailed chapter on Ofsted based on interviews with senior inspectors. This book will prove an invaluable guide and support for everyone working with bilingual learners. In clear, short chapters it gives a thorough grounding in the evidence and principles needed to create outstanding EAL provision.

Table of Contents:
Figures, Tables and Case Studies Acknowledgements Abbreviations and Acronyms Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: EAL in the National and International Context Part 1: How Additional Languages Are Learned Chapter 3: Key Principles and a Theory of Language Chapter 4: Learning or Acquiring? Chapter 5: Masses of Input Chapter 6: Earlier isn’t Necessarily Better Chapter 7: Implicit and Explicit Learning Chapter 8: First Languages Are Important for Learning English Chapter 9: Pulling It All Together: Learning Trajectories and Second Language Pedagogy Part 2: Language Across the Curriculum Chapter 10: Five Principles for Language Across the Curriculum Chapter 11: BICS and CALP Chapter 12: Oracy: Talking and Learning Chapter 13: Reading in a New Language Chapter 14: Making Meaning in Writing: Field, Tenor and Mode Chapter 15: Disciplinary Language, Disciplinary Knowledge Chapter 16: Pulling it all Together: What Counts as Proficiency Part 3: The EAL Specialist Chapter 17: Getting to Grips with the Role Chapter 18: Establishing Effective Assessments Chapter 19: Welcoming Students Chapter 20: Getting Connected Chapter 21: Making Friends and Influencing People Chapter 22: From Mono to Multi Chapter 23: CPD for EAL Specialists Chapter 24: For Everyone References Index

About the Author :
Robert Sharples is a Lecturer in Language and Education at the University of Bristol, UK. He was the founding editor of the EAL Journal and is Convenor of the EAL Research Network. His research focuses on EAL and language in education. 

Review :
Reading this book is like engaging in professional dialogue with a highly skilled EAL specialist. Whatever your role or experience in supporting EAL learners, you will learn about research and about evidence based practical strategies. All clearly explained and structured so you can easily find exactly what you need. Your brand new EAL best friend! Robert Sharples’ book belongs on the professional reading shelves of every school that aims to promote strong academic attainment among multilingual pupils. In crystal clear prose, Sharples outlines the core knowledge required by teachers to create instructional spaces where EAL learners can use their full repertoire of cognitive and linguistic skills to engage in powerful learning and succeed academically. Teaching EAL is a rare thing, a book about professional practice that is hard to put down.  In fact, I think it is the best book I have read about EAL since a book with a similar title (The EAL Teaching Book) was first published in 2002.