The Educator Magazine U.K. May-August issue - Magazine - Page 52
Revolutionising EAL provision with technology
In recent years, schools across the UK have been
navigating a landscape shaped by increasing diversity
and evolving approaches to education. One of the most
pressing challenges faced by educators is providing the
right support for pupils with English as an Additional
Language (EAL) – a group whose academic progress can
often be hindered by language barriers. However, new
technology and targeted professional development are
transforming how schools support multilingual learners,
with benefits extending beyond academic progress to
broader wellbeing.
Embracing diversity at Thistley Hough Academy
Thistley Hough Academy in Stoke-on-Trent is home to
pupils who speak over 40 different languages. For the
EAL team at the school, this rich diversity is a strength –
but it also presents complex challenges. Supporting
pupils from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds
requires carefully differentiated resources, effective
teaching strategies and ongoing assessment.
Technology, especially platforms like FlashAcademy®,
is playing a central role in meeting these needs.
Technology making a difference in EAL provision
FlashAcademy® is a digital platform used by schools
to enhance EAL support. While its learning content is
consistent, the platform's adaptive assessment feature
adjusts to each pupil’s responses, providing teachers
with real-time insight into language progress.
At Thistley Hough Academy, FlashAcademy® is used in a
variety of ways: to introduce new vocabulary before
a lesson, support in-class differentiation, guide one-toone interventions and provide homework for
consolidation. The adaptive assessments allow teachers
to track progress closely, identifying where additional
support is needed and where pupils are excelling. These
insights are shared across departments, helping staff
make informed decisions about how best to help pupils
access the curriculum.
Measurable success in student progress
The impact at Thistley Hough Academy has been
notable. More than 95% of EAL pupils using
FlashAcademy® have demonstrated measurable
progress in their language skills. The school has
integrated language proficiency levels into its internal
systems, enabling consistent tracking and allowing
achievements to be recognised with certificates for
pupils, teachers and families.
But academic gains are only part of the story. The EAL
team understands that language learning cannot be
separated from pupils’ emotional wellbeing.
Many learners are adjusting not just to a new language
but also to a new culture and educational system.
Language barriers can increase anxiety, especially in
high-pressure assessment situations.
Improving wellbeing alongside language learning
FlashAcademy® helps reduce this pressure through
engaging, non-threatening assessments that adapt to
each learner’s level. These assessments allow pupils to
show what they can do without the stress of traditional
testing. Michelle Lawrence, Vice Principal at the
Academy, says: “Our EAL provision, supported by
FlashAcademy®, has not only boosted academic progress
but also helped pupils build confidence and settle in
socially.”
Real-time feedback means learners don’t have to wait
for marking or updates on their progress – a particularly
important benefit for EAL pupils who may already feel
behind. Immediate insights allow them to focus on what
they need to improve, progressing at their own pace.
Enhancing teaching practice with data-driven
insights
Teachers, too, have seen benefits. The platform enables
staff to track patterns in language acquisition and adjust
their teaching strategies in response. As one team
member puts it, “FlashAcademy® now sits at the centre
of our EAL strategy. The assessment data it provides is
invaluable in guiding classroom practice and ensuring
support is well targeted.”
The ongoing journey and future aspirations
The progress made at Thistley Hough Academy is
reflective of a wider shift. Across the UK, schools and
trusts are increasingly adopting digital tools and CPD
programmes to improve outcomes for EAL learners.
At the heart of these innovations is a commitment to
ensuring that language support goes hand in hand with
wellbeing and inclusion.
FlashAcademy®, with its adaptive assessments and
structured language support tools, is helping schools
to break down barriers and give pupils the chance to
succeed. From reducing teacher workload to delivering
real-time insights, its impact is being felt in classrooms
up and down the country.
The impact is clear: with the right tools and strategies,
schools can significantly improve EAL provision.
The story of Thistley Hough Academy shows how
embracing the challenge of multilingual classrooms
can lead to meaningful and lasting change.
