EAL — Provision for Newly Arrived Students

EAL Provision for Newly Arrived Students – Guidance

Eligible students can attend an English language school, campus or centre for between two and four terms. The small class sizes and high number of contact hours enable qualified EAL teachers to deliver an intensive English language program (also known as a new arrivals program) tailored to the differing needs of students. This helps them to adapt as quickly as possible to the Australian education system and society.

EAL students learn English and new concepts as they participate in the different learning areas taught at the schools.

New arrivals programs are delivered to students through English language schools and centres in the Melbourne metropolitan area, as well as regional programs currently operating in Geelong, Mildura and Shepparton.

A program delivered through virtual conferencing is available to support isolated newly arrived students — refer to Virtual New Arrivals Program below.

English language schools and centres

Metropolitan

There are 6 English language schools and centres in the Melbourne metropolitan area:

• four stand-alone English language schools (ELS) that cater for both primary and secondary students up to the equivalent of Year 10. Some English language schools also have campuses located away from the main school site
• one English language centre (ELC) that caters for secondary students and is attached to a mainstream secondary school
• one English language centre that caters for primary and secondary students and is attached to a mainstream secondary school.

English language schools

Blackburn ELS
Phone: 03 9803 4022
Address: 120 Eley Road, Burwood East 3151
Provision: Primary and Secondary

Collingwood ELS
Phone: 03 9419 7633
Address: 19 Cambridge Street, Collingwood 3066
Provision: Primary and Secondary

Noble Park ELS
Phone: 03 9546 9578
Address: Thomas Street, Noble Park 3174
Provision: Primary and Secondary

Western ELS
Phone: 03 9311 9325
46 South Road, Braybrook 3019
Provision: Primary and Secondary

English language centres

Hume Central ELC
Phone: 03 9302 6011
Address: 64-70 Blair St, Broadmeadows 3047
Provision: Secondary

Westall ELC
Phone: 03 9546 1732 or 03 9546 3223
Address: Rosebank Avenue, Clayton South 3169
Provision: Primary and Secondary

Regional

Geelong English Language Centre

• Provides programs for primary and secondary students, hosted at Northern Bay P-12 College and North Geelong Secondary College
• Contact the Coordinator by telephone on 03 5278 3548

Mildura English Language Centre

• Provides programs for primary and secondary students, hosted at Mildura Senior College
• Contact the Coordinator by telephone on 03 5051 4700

Shepparton English Language Centre

• Provides programs for primary and secondary students, hosted at St Georges Road Primary School, Hayes Street Campus
• Contact the Coordinator by telephone on 03 5822 2266

Virtual New Arrivals Program

In rural and regional Victoria students who cannot access an English language school or centre program may be supported through the Virtual New Arrivals Program (VNAP). The program provides a quality English language learning program for newly arrived EAL learners who are enrolled in isolated and rural schools outside of regional cities.

Specialist EAL teachers deliver both curriculum-related and individualised content to students using virtual conferencing and digital tools and systems.

The program is offered at no cost to participating schools.

To participate in the program students must meet the new arrivals eligibility criteria and be in an isolated or rural school where they cannot access other support for intensive English language instruction.

When a student enrols in a school the principal can check the student's eligibility and then contact the VNAP program coordinator to arrange an assessment. The coordinator will assess a student's English language proficiency via a virtual conferencing session and, in consultation with the local school, determine if the program is appropriate for the student and advise whether a place is immediately available.

If a place is available, the coordinator will arrange to enrol the student in the program. The coordinator will work with the classroom teacher or a supervisor appointed by the school to arrange virtual conferencing sessions and other requirements for the program.

If the program is determined not to be appropriate for the student, or the student is not eligible for new arrivals support, the EAL regional program officers (RPOs) are available to support and advise the school.

To participate in the program the school will need to provide:

• a discrete learning space with a virtual conferencing facility
• technology support when required
• a dedicated supervisor to oversee the student's program and assist the student, where possible, with the following:
  • organisation of the student's timetable
  • availability and access to equipment
  • initial assessment process to determine the student's English levels
  • the necessary organisational and learning skills required to succeed in the program .

Program duration

Students are enrolled in the program for between 6 and 12 months depending on need. All eligible students:

• receive one virtual conferencing session each week
• can be enrolled for up-to-four consecutive school terms, depending on need and the development of their English language proficiency.

For students in Prep to Year 2, lessons will be 30 minutes long, plus an additional 10 to 15 minutes for teacher-supervisor liaison about student progress.

For Years 3 to 10 sessions will be 45 to 60 minutes long. Conferencing systems may also be used to record lessons and stages of student work.

Additional funding support — small rural schools

Small rural schools may be eligible for funding to employ an education support staff member to assist the student during the video-conferencing sessions.

Enquiries should be directed to the EAL Unit at: eal@education.vic.gov.au

Assessment and reporting

The VNAP teacher will provide a report on student achievement and progress for the student's school and parents at the end of each semester in line with standard Department of Education and Training (DET) guidelines. In addition, schools will be provided with an exit report at the conclusion of the student's enrolment in the program.

Students are assessed against the Victorian Curriculum F-10 English as an Additional Language (EAL) by the VNAP teacher on enrolment in a virtual conferencing session, at three-week intervals and on exit from the program.

Priority for enrolment

Priority will be given to students in schools that do not receive EAL Index funding, or support through an EAL Cluster.

Where the program is at full capacity, a student may be put on a waiting list and their school supported by the EAL RPO.

Enquiries

Enquiries or referrals for assessment can be made directly to the VNAP Program Coordinator on 03 9474 0500.

Outreach services

Newly arrived students sometimes enrol in schools which have not previously had newly arrived EAL students and may not be aware of how to support them. An outreach officer in each of the four metropolitan ELS provides services to such schools within their regions.

Outreach officers, in cooperation with schools:

• assist teachers to assess the English language learning needs of newly arrived students
• recommend the most suitable support program available, such as attendance at an ELS/ELC or outpost
• provide information to schools and parents about available new arrivals programs
• ensure schools are aware of the full range of resources available to them to support newly arrived students, including materials and professional development.

Principals can obtain the assistance of an outreach officer from the English language school in their region.

Based on centrally collected data, schools may be contacted by the outreach officers about students who have recently enrolled.