Teaching Assistants: Supporting Learners Who Use EAL (Online Course)

This course for teaching assistants (TAs) working in international schools raises awareness of key issues around multilingualism and the experience of multilingual learners who need to learn English and learn through English at the same time. The course introduces practical, easy-to-use strategies for supporting English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners to develop the language skills they need to access the curriculum and fulfil their potential.

Who is this course for?

• Teaching assistants working in primary and secondary settings.
• Classroom support staff.

This course is suitable for all TAs in an international context, whether or not they speak English as a first language. Please note, a minimum Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level of B2 is recommended to fully engage with the course material.

Please note: This course is for international participants only. Please click here to view our upcoming online courses for those living and working in the UK.

Course structure:

Module 1:

Pre-webinar online tasks, completed at your own pace over a one-week period.

You will:

• Explore the role and importance of TAs.
• Increase your understanding of some key issues around multilingualism and additional language development.
• Consider what it is like to learn in another language, and how this applies to your work.
• Explore when it is best to use planned or on-the-spot interventions.

Time commitment: minimum 2 hours.

Module 2:

Live interactive webinar with the course tutors:

• Option 1: 17 September 2025, 12:30 UK time (UTC+1).
• Option 2: 18 September 2025, 10:00 UK time (UTC+1).

You will:

• Discuss the importance of maximising opportunities for multilingual learners to engage in meaningful talk within the classroom.
• Consider how to use questions and comprehensible English to better support multilingual learners.
• Learn useful strategies for improving the quality of how TAs talk to learners.

Time commitment: 1 hour.

Module 3:

You will apply what you have learned in modules 1 and 2 by completing a short project. You will have the opportunity to either:

• Try out some new strategies with your own learners and reflect on their effectiveness.
• Collaborate with a teaching colleague to plan tailored support for multilingual learners in a particular lesson.

You will also explore useful classroom strategies for TAs and have the opportunity to share ideas with and learn from other TAs and your course tutors.

Time commitment: minimum 2 hours.

Why learn with us?

• The three online modules are designed to work around the busy lives of professionals in international schools.
• With five hours of online study over a five-week period, this course enables you to work at a manageable pace with plenty of time to process course content and apply relevant insights to your context.
• The course is designed to be highly interactive and collaborative, with opportunities to work with other course participants, course tutors and course material.
• Module 2 consists of a live webinar with opportunities to ask questions and share good practice in real time.
• A certificate will be awarded for successful completion of the course.
• Tickets are available for both primary and secondary practitioners in international schools.

Tutors

All our tutors are experienced teacher educators with substantial experience of teaching and assessing multilingual learners in relevant contexts. Tutors are trained e-moderators and offer friendly, practical specialist support to all participants throughout the course.

Ticket sales end 2 September 2025, 16:00 UK time (UTC +1).

Important notice: There are only two websites authorised to promote and take bookings for this event run by The Bell Foundation. These are: The Bell Foundation’s website and Eventbrite. Please do not book, or express interest in, this event through any other website.