English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support Teachers work across the Highland Council area in nurseries, primary and secondary schools. Should a concern arise or if there is a new arrival to school, EAL teachers should be contacted, initially for consultation purposes. This can be done through the EAL referral system. A copy of the referral form is included below and can be found in the head teacher’s file. On completion the form should be sent, electronically whenever possible to the local Area Learning Support Team Leader or to May Hughes, Area Support for Learning Team Leader for West Ross who will co-ordinate the referrals and pass to the appropriate EAL Support Teacher. After initial referral, EAL support teachers can be contacted through First Class e-mail.
EAL Teachers
- Viv Macmillan (Primary) - Ross West, Ross East, Lochaber
- Heather Mitchell / Janet McBryde (job share) (Primary/Secondary) - Sutherland, Inverness East ( includes Badenoch & Strathspey)
- Irene Wishart (Primary/Secondary) - Inverness West, Skye & Lochalsh, Caithness. Secondaries in: Ross East, Ross West, Lochaber
(These areas are subject to change should specific needs arise in another area.)
A bilingual pupil is a pupil who uses one or more languages in daily life, regardless of proficiency. Alternatively English may be spoken at home but an additional language is employed when communicating with the extended family. Research has shown that proficient bilingual pupils often perform better in SQA exams than their monolingual peers and possess a distinct advantage for employment.
The SEN Resources team of Bracknell Forest in England have produced a variety of resources in relation to EAL and these can be accessed via their website at Bracknell Forest Inclusion.