To improve the achievement of English Second Language Learners (Implementation Phase)

Senior School

Background

With an increasing number of ELL students in Senior School, we are faced with an increasing challenge to meet the needs of these students. We are also aware that good pedagogical approaches that suit ELL learners also benefit all learners. We are repeating the target that we had for Senior School from last year, due to some inconclusive results and are hoping that a second year of embedding ELL strategies will show further gains. Our aim is to ELL students will improve in their confidence to use subject-specific terminology for reading and writing in their core subjects, (by an average of 1 point on a 10 point scale).

Progress

We have edited our survey questions from last year and identified all students who are ‘speakers of other languages' from our student management system. These students have all completed this survey to give us baseline data that we will compare with our final survey end of term 3.

Middle School

Background

On looking at our data for our English Language Learners, we ascertained that we would set goals for these students in Year 8 and 9 for 2021. This means that our Year 8 and 9 teams are working collaboratively to further develop teaching and learning for our ELL learners. Our focus goals include:

Improvement in English vocabulary acquisition for English Language Learner (ELL) students in Year 8 and 9 who have achieved Stanine 3 or below in the Vocabulary PAT in Term 4 2020:

• 70% of the target ELL students will have improved in the Stanine and Scale Score of the Vocabulary PAT in Term 4 of 2021

ELL students in Year 8 and 9 will increase in their confidence to use new subject-specific vocabulary when reading, writing, or speaking.

• 50% of these students will show an improved rating in their survey results in at least one of the areas of reading, writing or speaking.

Progress

The work plan has been established for 2021 and is subsequently being followed. Baseline data has been discussed by each team and strategies are being established. The student survey is being used to gather beginning of year information on levels in confidence when using new English vocabulary and this will be compared to the end of year survey results.

Primary School

The goal is to raise achievement in Spelling for the current 31 Year 5 English Language Learners so that 40% of them are achieving at 2P or above by the end of Term 3 2021.

Background

Analysis of the Term 3 2020 eAsTTle writing assessments, indicates that there were 31 English Language Learners in Year 4 who were achieving at Level 1A or below in spelling, which is well below expectation.

Progress

eAsTTle data has been analyzed. Teachers have a clear understanding of the goals students are working towards achieving. They are being equipped with an understanding of up-to-date, researched pedagogy on effectively teaching English spelling to ELL students, which will transfer into classroom practice. This process is being led by one of the Primary Kahui Ako Within School Leaders.

Kumeū Christian School

Background

Historically Kumeū Christian School has a low number of ELL students. In 2021 this trend continues with one learner identified in this category. Irrespective of this, the school recognises the strength of applying ELL strategies with all learners to improve language proficiency.

Progress

eAsTTlee benchmark testing is complete and analysis conducted for trends. A small cohort number means that analysis produces individualised targets in key areas of language acquisition and competency. To support progress towards these targets, students are using online learning assistance programmes, Reading Eggs and StepsWeb. Engagement with Kahui Ako cross-school leaders commences in Term 2.

• eAsTTle testing
• Reading egg teina Steps Tuakana
• Planning to meet with KA
• Individualized targets no real targets for learners
• Literacy issues – homeschooling low across Oral Language
• 1 student