Celebrating Multilingualism: The Benefits of English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Dear Families,

At St. Joseph’s School, we proudly celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of our community. As part of our inclusive approach to education, we support students who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL) alongside their home languages. This is not only a core part of our commitment to equity and access, but it also aligns with the values and goals of the Victorian Curriculum.

Why is EAL important?

For students from non-English speaking backgrounds, EAL programs are essential in helping them build the language skills needed to thrive both socially and academically. But the benefits go far beyond language acquisition:

• Academic success: Targeted EAL support helps students engage with the curriculum more confidently across all subjects.
  
  
• Cognitive benefits: Research shows that multilingual students often have enhanced problem-solving skills, memory, and creativity.
  
  
• Cultural identity: Students are encouraged to maintain their first language while learning English, fostering a strong sense of identity and self-worth.
  
  
• Social inclusion: EAL students who receive proper support are more likely to form friendships, participate in school life, and feel a sense of belonging.
  
  

How does this fit within the Victorian Curriculum?

The Victorian Curriculum F–10 recognises that EAL learners are working towards the same achievement standards as their peers, but may require tailored support and time to reach them. The EAL curriculum pathway provides specific outcomes that acknowledge and build on students’ language learning needs and prior experiences.

Languages Other Than English (LOTE) are also a key part of the Victorian Curriculum, and we encourage all students to engage in language learning. At St. Joseph's students participate in Italian language learning as a means to enrich cognitive development, academic achievement, and intercultural understanding, preparing students for success in a globalised world. Our school values home languages as a resource, and we see multilingualism as a strength to be nurtured—not only for EAL learners but for all students in our community.

Working together

We are committed to working in partnership with families to support EAL learners. If your child speaks a language other than English at home, or if you would like to find out more about our EAL and LOTE programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Warm regards,
Trish Martin
Learning Adjustment Leader