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 2 and 4 terms. The small class sizes and high number of contact hours enable 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:

• 4 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 which may provide for primary only, secondary only or both
• 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
Phone: 03 9803 4022
Primary and secondary available at all campuses

Locations:

• Whitehorse campus in Burwood East
• Maroondah campus in Croydon North
• Wodonga campus

Collingwood
Phone: 03 9419 7633
Primary and secondary available at all campuses

Locations:

• Collingwood campus
• Broadmeadows campus
• Craigieburn campus
• South Morang campus

Noble Park

Locations:

• Noble Park campus with primary and secondary available (03 9546 9578)
• Casey campus in Hampton Park with primary and secondary available (03 9799 0288)
• Springvale campus with primary only available (03 9548 3496)
• Stonnington Glen Eira campus in Glen Huntly with primary only available (03 9571 9606)

Western

Locations:

• Braybrook campus with primary and secondary available (03 9311 9325)
• Footscray campus with primary only available (0478 758 254)
• Manor Lakes campus in Wyndham Vale with primary only available (03 9974 0003)
• Melton campus with primary only available (03 8764 2085)
• St Albans campus with primary only available (03 9364 6310)
• Wyndham campus in Werribee with secondary only available (03 9742 7574)

English language centres

Hume Central

Location:

• Broadmeadows with secondary only available ( 03 9302 6011)

Westall

Location:

• Clayton South with primary and secondary available (03 9546 1732 or 03 9546 3223)

Regional

There are 3 English language centres in regional areas.

Geelong

Locations:

• Wangala Primary School in Belmont with primary only available (03 5278 3548)
• Northern Bay P–12 College in Corio with primary and secondary available (03 5278 3548)
• North Geelong Secondary College with secondary only available (03 5278 3548)

Mildura

Location:

• Mildura with primary and secondary available (03 5051 4700)

Shepparton

Location:

• Shepparton with primary and secondary available (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.

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. The coordinator will inquire about a student's English language proficiency and ability to access the mainstream curriculum 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 allocate an EAL teacher who 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 2 virtual conferencing session each week
• can be enrolled for up to 4 consecutive school terms, depending on need and the development of their English language proficiency.

For students in Foundation to Year 2, lessons will be 30 minutes long.

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

Additional funding support – small rural schools

Where a teacher is not available, small rural schools as per Rural School Size Adjustment Factor (Reference 4) less than or equal to 200 Primary enrolments and less than or equal to 500 Secondary enrolments may be eligible for funding to employ an education support class employee to assist the student during videoconferencing 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 (DE) 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, twice per term and on exit from the program.

Priority for enrolment

Enrolment in the VNAP is subject to availability. In instances where demand for the VNAP exceeds capacity, priority for enrolment in VNAP will be given to students who are:

• without access to support through either EAL Index funding or an EAL Cluster program
• enrolled in mainstream schools in a local government area that is defined as ‘non-metropolitan’.

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 4 metropolitan ELS provides services to metropolitan 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
• 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 of metropolitan schools can obtain the assistance of an outreach officer from the English language school in their region.

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