WORKSHOP: SEND Testing for EAL

Thursday 6th February 2020

9:00am – 5:00pm

The Peterborough EAL Hub is pleased to offer a full-day workshop on SEND testing for EAL students. The workshop will be delivered by Anne Margaret Smith and will focus on how to test EAL students with low levels of English for dyslexia and specific learning difficulties, as well as providing tailored interventions for them.

The programme for the day is as follows:

9.00 - Arrivals, introductions

9.15 - An overview of the most common Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs – e.g. dyslexia) and how they might affect language learning.

9.30 - Key issues in identifying multilingual learners who may have SpLDs: separating language issues from cognitive differences. Assessing literacy practices

11.00 – 11.15 - break

11.15 – 12.30 - Assessing memory, speed of processing and phonological awareness in multilingual learners. Interpreting the results

12.30 – 1.30 - Lunch

1.30 – 3.00 - Memory strategies for language learners: multisensory techniques for remembering more

3.00 – 3.15 - break

3.15 – 4.30 - Developing phonological awareness and processing

4.30 – 5.00 - Next steps for the team / further questions for discussion / specific cases….

The workshop will be delivered by Anne Margaret Smith from ELT Well. ELT well has been helping teachers support learners since 2005 and brings together best practice from the fields of English language teaching and specialist support for neurodiverse learners ( e.g. dyslexic learners). It has devised holistic assessments of students who may have dyslexia or other SpLDs, whatever their first language as well as intervention and tuition for students to develop their language and study skills.