Embedded Files
- Creating welcoming spaces
- Display that your school/class is welcoming to newcomers by:
- Having a world map indicating where students are from
- Multilingual signs (office, library, cafeteria, music room, etc.), flags
- Student created welcome signs in different languages
- Have objects labelled in English and various other languages
- Developing partnerships with families
- Be friendly and enthusiastic - make them feel welcome and valued
- Registration process - staff who speaks language, school tour, translators, designate appropriate amount of time
- Learn about prior schooling, student interests, siblings etc.
- Provide information about expectations, routines, bell schedules, appropriate outdoor wear etc.
- Building relationships with students
- Create a safe and welcoming class (ideas mentioned previously)
- Smile - pronounce their name correctly!
- Seat with a peer (preferably one who speaks the same language)
- Greetings in their language
- Visual schedules/Visuals for bathroom, snack, drink, feeling sick etc.
- Cooperative learning opportunities
- Valuing home languages
- Tap into the rich background and experiences that students bring with them
- Allow and encourage them to use their first language to support them as they acquire English
- Incorporate aspects of their culture within your teaching - go beyond teaching about holidays
- Read alouds and storybooks to reflect various cultures, visitors, and family members welcome to the classroom - art lessons, poetry etc.
- Public library and school library have growing collections of dual language books
- Language ambassadors club
- Create a ‘task force’ of students that are bilingual/multilingual that would like to become part of a group that welcomes and supports newly arrived students/emergent bilinguals
- Create signs, artwork for classes, hallways, entrances
- Act as translators
- Involve in assemblies
- Ongoing communication and collaboration
- It is important for EAL teachers and classroom teachers to maintain an open line of communication with all supports the EAL student may receive
- Some students/families receive support through YMCA Settlement program and some information they can provide and support they can give are valuable
- Share opportunities with families about community events and clubs (HRM REC)
- Encourage families to maintain home language(s)
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