CORE Hello (EAL)

CORE Education Trust has always been proud to welcome students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including those speaking English as an Additional Language (EAL). We are passionate about embracing multilingualism as a valuable learning tool and celebrate the many languages and cultures of our families. Creating a safe and caring environment is integral to developing a sense of belonging for our students and ensuring they thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

The DFE defines English as an Additional Language as follows:

‘A pupil’s first language is defined as any language other than English that a child was exposed to during early development and continues to be exposed to in the home or community. If a child was exposed to more than one language (which may include English) during early development, a language other than English should be recorded, irrespective of the child’s proficiency in English.’

OFSTED define English as an Additional Language as follows:

‘English as an additional language (EAL) refers to learners whose first language is not English.

These definitions therefore cover the following:

• Pupils arriving from other countries and whose first language is not English
• Pupils who have lived in the UK for a long time and may appear to be fluent, but who also speak another language at home. These pupils are often not entirely fluent in terms of their literacy levels.
• Pupils who have been born in the UK, but for whom the home language is not English (e.g. Bengali children who are born in the UK, but arrive at school with very little English due to having spoken only Bengali at home and within the community)
• Pupils who have a parent who speaks a language other than English and the child communicates within that language (ie. bilingual children)’

Using these criteria, in the Academic Year 23/24 50% of our pupils can be identified as having English as an Additional Language, with over 55 languages spoken.

As a response to the growing number of students needing additional support with English proficiency, CORE Hello was created.

Our Mission

CORE Hello is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment, where every student can thrive academically, socially and emotionally. We develop a sense of belonging and celebrate the uniqueness of every language, culture and background, ensuring our children feel valued and driven to succeed in school and beyond.

CORE Hello

CORE Hello is a high quality, intensive intervention, designed to boost language acquisition, help students access the curriculum and thrive when they return to their ‘home’ schools. Led by specialist teachers, the programme supports up to 30 children, who are struggling with language acquisition, in 12-week blocks. Informed by best practice and research, students follow bespoke programmes, depending on their level and experience of English.

Using The Bell Foundation’s Five Principles to Guide EAL Pedagogy and the English National Curriculum, CORE Hello has designed a stimulating programme of learning to support acquisition in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Bilingual dictionaries, Google Translate and electronic interpreting devices are used to support student’s learning, with use of their first language encouraged to help them explore, develop and share ideas with peers and teachers.

Discrete Literacy and English is taught every day, with a focus on spelling, punctuation, grammar and the exploration of a range of texts and authors. Maths features daily and science, humanities, the arts, PE and PSHE are delivered weekly. This integrated approach to language teaching ensures that the teaching and learning is impactful and that students are cognitively challenged and stimulated. Assessment is conducted using the Bell’s Framework Assessment Tool – a widely recognised tool for assessment amongst the EAL community.

As well as a rich academic programme, CORE Hello provides plenty of opportunity for students to continue their learning and social integration outside of the school walls. Visits are arranged to the local library, an orienteering tour is conducted around the city, theatre trips are regular, as are outings to local museums and art galleries.

Since its conception, over 150 students have joined CORE Hello, from over 30 different countries. They spoke over 25 different languages. All now speak English!

If you would like to find out more, please email Emily Preece (Director of CORE Hello) at ep@core-education.co.uk

CORE schools are optimistic, ambitious and act with oneness and the CORE Hello programme completely epitomises the values of the trust: collaboration, opportunity, respect and excellence. As a trust, we cherish the richness of difference and are committed to ensuring that all children can thrive in our schools and local communities.