Middle School Learning Support aims to develop self-advocacy and goal-setting skills for identified students with learning differences. It includes small group curriculum support with a focus on Literacy. Difficulties in Mathematics are identified and supported through a Small Group Mathematics programme taught by the Mathematics Department. The Learning Support teachers also offer executive functioning coaching sessions for students with identified difficulties. Support with differentiation and scaffolding of the curriculum is provided by Learning Support teachers as they work alongside subject teachers. 

EAL in the Middle School takes place in the form of support in academic subject classes through a team-teaching approach.

Assessment

Teaching is done within a mainstream class with a team-taught approach of subject teachers and EAL specialist teachers. 

Course Content

Students learn to manipulate language in order to use the appropriate forms in a variety of situations. In EAL, language structures, concepts, and skills being studied and practiced in subject classes are analysed and explicitly taught so that students have the understanding that they need to build their skills and confidence in all areas of communication, active and passive, including reading comprehension and academic writing. In addition to supporting students in building the skills that they need to succeed across the curriculum, they continue to hone their metacognitive skills. In an effort to build independence, students learn to recognise their strengths and areas in need of improvement, and compile a repertoire of strategies and tools that they can use on their own. Curriculum work and homework are supported in the EAL classroom. Students are encouraged to share homework and to bring projects or assignments into the classroom. The EAL teacher is in regular contact with subject teachers to provide support in the EAL classroom, where students may need scaffolded or differentiated lessons to access specific lessons, assessments, or tasks.