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EAL: Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning activities are designed to help children learn through talk and active learning in small groups. They offer many benefits for all pupils, and can be particularly helpful in raising the achievement of children learning English as an Additional Language. They work best in mixed classes where children needing language of learning support are integrated. They can be used across all phases and subjects. They support differentiation, and offer teachers opportunities for assessment of spoken language as well as conceptual development.
Some particular benefits of collaborative activities for EAL learners:
- they actively support the development of English within other subject areas, particularly through speaking and listening
- they facilitate access to different subject areas which might otherwise be closed, particularly for high achieving bilingual pupils
- children can bring their own knowledge to an activity
- children can participate in their own words and language in their own time without pressure
- they often require that concepts are reformulated in the pupils' own words, supporting both language and concept development
- many activities can be tried out in mother tongue then afterwards in English
- they often provide a lot of visual clues
- when children are able to take concepts and ideas and move them around physically they can help develop thinking skills
- they can provide a secure learning environment where children feel able to take risks
- collaborative work provides opportunities for children to read extended texts together and to plan extended writing
- they can support the development of study skills in context
- it is easier for support staff to work alongside targeted pupils
- mainstream and language support teachers can share an equal role in curriculum delivery [1]
Other resources: click below for downloadable resources:
- Tudor jobs From the Collaborative Learning Website
- Power and Glory
[1] Based on the work of Stuart Scott at the Collaborative Learning Project