At Baulkham Hills North we have four experienced English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) specialist teachers – Deb Bowey, Barbara Poredos, Marita Retallick and Ridma Tiranagama.
Learning English is essential for success at school. EAL/D teachers teach students whose first language is not English and who are learning English as an additional language or dialect.
Specialist EAL/D teachers may assist students to learn English through intensive English lessons (small groups of students learning with the EAL/D teacher) or collaboratively (team teaching with the class teacher, to support students at all levels of learning English).
As students’ English language develops, their needs change. For newly arrived students, their needs might include talking in social ways to friends and teachers and understanding simple instructions. For students who have been learning English for many years, the demands of the curriculum become much more complex. It takes from two to seven years for a student to become proficient in all aspects of the English language including social and academic English language.
As EAL/D specialist teachers we work with students throughout their primary school years in different capacities. Working with teachers, families and the Learning Engagement Team, we offer students and their families support through interpreting services, student wellbeing services, cultural awareness education and curriculum adjustments.
For more information or help, please book an appointment at the office to talk with us.
