The EAL Toolkit

Strategies and

Resources for Teachers

Upcoming APLC Professional Learning Opportunities for EAL - LINK

January 26, 4-5 PM High Impact EAL Strategies -- (26-LL-134) Register
February 23, 4-5 PM Oracy as a Foundation for Literacy -- (26-LL-135) Register
March 16, 4-5 PM Page Turners: Reading Routines for EAL Learners -- (26-LL-136) Register
April 20, 4-5 PM Culturally Responsive Practices -- (26-LL-137) Register
May 11, 4-5 PM Leading A Learning Community with EAL Learners (leaders) -- (26-LL-138) Register
June 8, 4- 5PM Observation of Teachers with EAL Learners (leaders) -- (26-LL-139) Register

Welcome to the EAL Toolkit!

This site is designed to provide support for Alberta K-12 teachers, District EAL Leads, Inclusive Education Coordinators, and Administrators to support registration, initial and ongoing assessment, placement and programming, and instruction of EAL learners.

You will find a rich array of forms, guidelines, tools and routines to maximize EAL students' language development. Please be advised that some documents may need more time to load.

What brings you to the EAL Toolkit?

Wondering where to start with programming for your Beginning Proficiency EAL students?

You can start by looking at the Planning for Language Development, Using Visuals and Vocabulary pages.

Trying to figure out how to navigate the intake and initial language proficiency assessment processes?

Check out the Intake and Initial English Language Proficiency Assessment pages.

Want to build more culturally responsive practices into your practice and building?

Take a look at the Welcoming EAL Students and Families pages and subpages, as well as the Culturally Responsive Practices and Translanguaging pages.

Looking for key things to consider for reading and writing?

Go to the Building Background Knowledge, Oral Language, Reading and Writing pages to find some routines to incorporate into your practice.

Need information about assessment?

Depending on the type of assessment you are looking for, you can find information about Benchmarking, Classroom Assessment, and Multi-tiered System of Supports on their respective pages.

Looking for greater understanding of the additional language acquisition process?

The Understanding Language Acquisition and Learn More! pages address just that.

Curious about possible technology resources that can help scaffold instruction?

Visit the Tech Tools page to find out ways to use Google, Microsoft and AI to scaffold instruction.

Something else?

The increasing diversity of languages spoken at home highlights the expanding number of linguistically and culturally diverse learners entering the classroom. These students bring a unique set of assets that are developed in their homes and communities, including moving across languages, working with others, and learning about themselves and the world. These students' diverse lingusitic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds contribute to a vibrant and welcoming school community.

Increasing diversity of languages, other than English or French, spoken at home - Infographic

Glossary of Acronyms

EAL - English as an Additional Language

ELP - English Language Proficiency - Student's language skill level

ELD - English Language Development

ELL. - English Language Learner - inclusive term, now outdated

ESL - English as a Second Language - original term, inaccurate and outdated.

L1 - The first language of the learner - also called Mother tongue or Home language.

L2 - Second language of the learner - The new language a student is learning; L3 - third language; L4 - fourth language....

LFS - Limited formal schooling - These students have arrived with minimal prior schooling.

ML - Multilingual Learners - Students whose parent or guardian reports speaking one or more languages other than English at home. MLs may or may not qualify for English language support, depending on their level of English proficiency.

SLIFE - Student with limited or interrupted formal education (There are gaps in their schooling)

CLD - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (A synonym for EAL students, but this term is broader; it recognizes that the needs of this demographic of students go beyond learning English and extend to acknowledging their linguistic and cultural assets)