Multilingual Language Learning Support

Foundation Topic Programs are designed to cater to the early needs of our English language learners before expecting them to participate in the learning of the curriculum content.

The teaching philosophy of Dr. Jannie van Hees, whose research focuses on language learning, forms the basis of this programme. This program is essential as it paves the way for accessing learning across the curriculum. The lessons focus on the basics of English language structure, the forms and sounds of written and spoken language, high frequency words, core vocabulary for general concepts, such as colours, transport, family members and language that will enable us to interact in school and other social contexts. (The English Language Learning Progressions Introduction, Page 11)

The instruction of letter- sound relationship is often referred to as phonics.

Structured Literacy, Primary Phonics and Jolly Phonics are some of the programs that we use to develop an understanding of letter-symbol association. Learners are organised according to their level of proficiency, and the lesson is delivered in small groups.

This is a program best suited for learners who are learning English as an additional language. Two important skills developed through these programs are accuracy and fluency when reading sight words. It is a one-to-one, short, fun, and daily lesson that runs for 5 minutes per session for each learner.

This Reading Boost Programme model is taken from a reading scaffolding resource from the English Language Assistants (ELA) course. The ELA course was designed by Dr Jannie van Hees, The University of Auckland. Our resource, although very closely related to the original, is not a perfect replica. However, the Reading Boost resource still holds the same principles of scaffolding language acquisition and use of English in the modes of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

This is a literacy program designed for small groups of learners who need extra support in reading and comprehension. Learners’ reading rates are accelerated thereby achieving their expected level.

The Learning Village is an award-winning image-based English as an Additional Language online program. It aims to support learners to develop the English language skills necessary to participate effectively in their habitats.

The Learning Village is suitable for learners of any language because of its immersive image-based methodology, making the image the language of instruction.

It supports induction to English, gap-filling and pre-teaching of vocabulary and language structures, for independent learning, small-group teaching, and differentiation in class. The Learning Village Team is on board to provide the best support for our learners of English. The beauty of this program is that it allows adults to learn English as well. So feel free to get in touch if you would like to learn English as an additional language.

By explicitly teaching the language associated with the mathematical concepts the learners are able to share their mathematical thinking and instill deeper understanding to evaluate the problem. New mathematical vocabulary is unpacked and introducing the language before teaching the concepts thereby enabling learners to succeed. During the lesson, the learners have the opportunity to share, compare and clarify their strategies in their first language. Mathematical concepts are linked to real- life situations through visual cues, prompts, sports and food topics to tackle abstract mathematical contexts.