EAL conference. ‘Celebrating Difference, Thinking Differently’

Introduction

The North East EAL Partnership (NEEP) consists of EMTAS teams from seven local authorities passionate about supporting EAL learners in schools whose collective contribution enabled our first EAL conference.

Conference Overview

The conference consisted of keynote speakers, workshops, and stallholders. It attracted over 150 participants, providing ample networking opportunities and collaborative discussions on the challenges faced by EAL learners and how we can best support them in schools.

Highlights

Enthusiastic, keynote speakers with a wealth of knowledge and experience and insightful, thought-provoking workshops highlighted the need for a shift in mindset to see EAL learners as an asset, with a wealth of cultural knowledge and experience that can enrich our schools and communities. By getting to know pupils well, and identifying their strengths and challenges, we can begin to build positive relationships and create a sense of belonging.

Keynote Speakers

Smajo Bešo OBE

Chair of the Bosnian Genocide Educational Trust, Promoting Peace in the UK has survived the horrors of the genocide in Bosnia and seen the worst and best of humanity.

Eowyn Crisfield

Eowyn, a specialist in bilingualism, bilingualism in education, and teacher training shared her unique approach to working with leadership, staff and parents helps to build strong and successful partnerships to improve the learning and experiences of bilingual/multilingual learners in schools.

Jean CONTEH

Jean, a university lecturer and author, shared her personal experience of teaching in different countries which fuelled her interest in the roles of language and culture in learning, particularly in multilingual settings. Jean offered examples of where home languages were used and celebrated in classrooms and where pupils' cultural identity was recognised, a sense of belonging was fostered and within a supportive environment, they could thrive.

Workshops

A range of whole-school workshops, to select from included Healing Classrooms from the International Rescue Committee, Leading a Whole School strategy, the School of Sanctuary Award and Translation Tools in the Classroom.

Key stage-specific workshops

These included ‘Secondary School Classroom Strategies’, ‘Comprehensible English for New Arrivals in the Primary Classroom’ and Multilingual Learners in the Early Years and Giglets and Polylino.

Stallholders

There was a range of providers available at the event.

Flash Academy

Northumberland County Council Schools' Library Service

Usborne - Be Curious

The Bell Foundation

Falcon's Rugby Academy

Kittiwake Library

Giglets

Polylino

International Rescue Committee

Voice 21

 

Testimonials

“I thought all of the sessions were excellent, but I really enjoyed listening to Smajo at the beginning. It was such a thought-provoking speech.”

“EVERYTHING! People within the LA networking and sharing knowledge, discussions on how they will feedback to schools, a positive atmosphere, enthusiasm!”

“The whole event was amazing. Yummy food, fantastic keynote speakers, lots to take in from workshops and a great opportunity to meet and greet people.”