Learning from home
With approximately 200,000 students in NSW public schools learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) the challenges faced by EAL/D students when learning from home need to be carefully considered.
Students who are learning English as an additional language or dialect need to earn English, learn the curriculum content through English and learn about English simultaneously. This presents challenges for students who need to be engaged in learning English and learning content that is equivalent to their English speaking peers. When learning from home, this is even more challenging.
The needs of EAL/D learners vary. Students will be at different phases of English language proficiency, will have different curriculum content learning needs and will be enrolled in different stages of schooling.
EAL/D learning from home resources
Supporting EAL/D learners [PDF 152KB]
Considerations for teachers of EAL/D students learning from home [PDF 131KB]
Planning your professional learning [PDF 135KB]
The role of the EAL/D specialist teacher [PDF 130KB]
EAL/D Learning from Home checklist [PDF 311 KB]
Supporting EAL/D students returning to school [PDF 148KB]
COVID Intensive Learning Support for EAL/D students [PDF 222KB]
Interpreting and translation support
On demand and pre-booked telephone interpreting services are available through a national provider.
Evidence-based practice
A research review of distance education reveals several important themes for consideration when creating and delivering lessons for students to learn from home:
- strong social presence for learners to stay in touch
- support student persistence
- understanding contextual factors, such as the role of gender
- considering the learner's perspective and
- balancing synchronous and asynchronous activities.