Welcome to parents of Grade 1 and 2 students who are learning English!
If you are reading this, it is likely that your child is getting some extra help for his or her learning of English with an EAL (English as an Additional Language) specialist teacher. At ISPP, we support English language learning inside and outside of the homeroom class in many ways.
What does this English language support look like for a grade 1 EAL student?
In grade 1, your child will be supported by an EAL team consisting of me, Mr. Jon Banules, my teaching assistant, Ms. Mom Meach, another EAL teacher from our team, Ms. Tatiana Stadnitski, and her teaching assistant, Ms. Boramey Bun. At this level, we primarily work with the grade 1 homeroom team to develop lessons that promote students' use of English in more professional ways necessary for an academic environment. For example, your child will learn how to use language for many different functions in spoken and written form. We will also be helping students grow and develop in reading and writing through activities that connect to the homeroom's unit of inquiries and even math units.
What does this English language support look like for a grade 2 EAL student?
If your child is a grade 2 EAL student, he or she may receive EAL support during Foreign Language time to build understanding of concepts and vocabulary related to units of inquiry and literacy. In these lessons during the week, we can really focus on getting more practice with parts of language that students need to discuss deeper ideas and thinking.
He or she will also be supported by me and Ms. Mom during many lessons in the homeroom. Sometimes this support will look like your child working in a group that is facilitated by either or both of us. At other times, you might see me leading or team teaching with your child's homeroom teacher, using materials specifically designed to get students using and understanding the kind of English needed to discuss, read, present, or write about academic topics.
How long will it take for students to learn English?
"There is no definite answer to this question, as all children are different. It is helpful to think of the second language like a mirror of the first language. Generally, it takes about 2 years for your child to acquire social English (used for conversation on the playground) and 5-7 years to acquire ‘school’ or ‘academic’ language, which is much harder to master."
-Marcelle Houterman, Founder of SPELTAC (Social Platform for English Language Teaching Across the Curriculum)
How can I support my child in learning English?
If English is NOT your mother tongue, leave the English language teaching to us! Here at ISPP you can be assured that your child's EAL teacher and her homeroom teacher are working all the time to plan and lead activities that will foster deep language learning for all students. We do this mainly by making sure we combine what parts of the English language we are teaching and what the children need to discuss or create in class.
The best thing you can do at home is...USE YOUR MOTHER TONGUE! Talk to your children about school, ask them to explain themselves and their learning, and read together in your home language. Studies show that when a child's use of his mother tongue is stretched, he will more effectively develop in his understanding of other languages and deeper concepts.
Who is Mr. Jon?
I am Mr. Jon Banules, the Grade 1 and 2 EAL teacher here at ISPP. I taught English as an Additional Language for 9 years in Thailand before becoming a full homeroom teacher in 2009. I facilitated learning in grade 4 and 5 homeroom classes in Chiang Mai and here at ISPP until 2015. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of ISPP's transition towards a push-in model of EAL support and look forward to working with all students in grade 1 and 2, their homeroom teachers, and parents this year.
I am always available at jonbanules@ispp.edu.kh.
Let's have a great year of language learning!
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