About us

Service Description

The English as an Additional Language (EAL) Service operates across the Borough of Knowsley, supporting Children and Young People in our schools for whom English is not their first language.

The main aims of the service are:

• Assess the language needs of new arrivals for whom English is an additional language; assessment report and to advise school colleagues on strategies to use to help the Child/Young Person (CYP) learn English in order to access the curriculum; INSET (In-service Education & Training) if required
• Give the learners direct support sessions or in-class support, if/as appropriate
• Help the EAL learners enhance their social skills so that they could integrate into school life successfully
• Raise cultural awareness within schools where there are learners of EAL

What support is available:

You can get materials from school to practise with your child at home or information on a range of courses, including where you may attend an Adult English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) course.

How you can help:

It is important that you help your child's cognitive development through the home language, whilst exposing them to English as often as possible.

• Age range - 5 - 16
• Referral procedure - Referral is usually via mainstream schools where the children are on roll
• Things to know - DBS Policy in place.
• Delivery period -January-December

Meet the Team

Karen Foley - English as an additional language Support Manager

Hi my name is Karen Foley and I am delighted to introduce myself as the new English as an additional language Support Manager for Knowsley.

Prior to this employment I worked for School Improvement Liverpool – EMTAS (Ethnic Minority Traveller Achievement Service).  I worked there for several years gaining lots of different experiences working with staff, students and parents/carers.

I am passionate that all students should have the opportunity of an inclusive educational experience, especially English as an additional language learners who I represent.

During my teaching career I have held various positions of responsibility and encountered students of all ages, all abilities from a wide range of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.

The teaching of English as an additional language learners is the responsibility of all and should be inherent in our planning and delivery.

My team and I can offer advice and guidance to you in improving the attainment of our English as an additional language learners.

We can give in class support as well as working on a 1:1 basis. We have a wide range of resources that will enable progress for the English as an additional language learner.

I look forward to meeting and working with you to ensure the best outcome for our English as an additional language students.

Quynh Chu Thu

Hello,

I’m Quynh.  Originally from Vietnam, but I spent most of my life between Poland and England. 

I studied Teaching English as a Second Language at university and spent a number of years teaching students of various age groups in different countries, hence I am familiar with culturally and linguistically diverse learners, especially as I was one of those learners myself when my family moved to Poland. 

I feel very blessed to be part of the Knowsley English as an additional language team since 2017 and being able to continue my passion in working with children to enrich their life through the improvement of their language skills.

I look forward to welcoming and working with our English as an additional language children

Lorraine Brown

Hi,

I’m Lorraine and I have worked for the Knowsley English as an additional language team for over 14 years, supporting our English as an additional language learners in many primary and secondary schools across Knowsley.

Having studied French and Spanish at uni, I have always been passionate about languages and different cultures, so this is the perfect job for me!

I have also lived abroad where my sons attended a local French school; they were the only English boys there, so as a parent I do understand the challenges, as well as the many rewards, that our young learners experience.

As an English as an additional language Practitioner in Knowsley, my aim is to help our learners overcome their challenges too, so that they can fully enjoy and flourish in all aspects of school life.

Working with our English as an additional language learners is inspirational and such a privilege…and, of course, lots of fun too!

Rebecca Morris

Hello,

My name is Becci, I started working for Knowsley Council as an English as an additional language Practitioner in October 2006, I can’t believe it was that long ago!

I visit many schools in Knowsley and support children with English as an additional language on a 1-1 basis, in small groups and in the classroom.  The children bring with them a wealth of knowledge and so many different cultural experiences which they share with us. Some of the children I visit are very new to English and it never fails to surprise me how quickly they learn, grow confidence and settle in school; it is so lovely to see and I  feel very lucky to be able to support and work with the children who live in Knowsley.