What is the criteria for a pupil to be recorded in school as having EAL?

A pupil is recorded as having English as an Additional Language (EAL) if a language other than English is spoken at home. This designation includes determining whether they may need their home language supported in school. Acknowledge their home language and cultural capital. These elements are foundational in shaping the opportunities they have to learn and use English. 

In the UK, over 1.6 million pupils (around 19.5% of the school population) are identified as EAL, highlighting the diversity within classrooms today. To determine EAL status, schools use assessments that evaluate more than just spoken English. A pupil’s ability to read, write, and use English effectively in academic settings is examined. 

Frameworks like The Bell Foundation’s EAL Assessment Framework provide clear standards, guiding schools in assessing and supporting pupils. For example, a child might speak conversational English fluently but still need help understanding academic vocabulary or writing structured essays. 

Recording EAL status is not a simple, one-off process. Regular updates both provide a better picture of reality and give schools a better sense of their progress over time. This continuous effort allows schools to adapt interventions, such as targeted language support or additional resources, to meet each pupil’s evolving needs. 

For example, a pupil who is still noticeably struggling with specific subject recognising terms within science may need specific lessons in vocabulary.