Teacher training - preparing teachers for multilingual classrooms

Multilingual classrooms are now the norm, but teacher training is silent on how to support learners who use English as an Additional Language (EAL), leaving teachers feeling unprepared and learners unsupported.

What needs to change?

Our recommendations include:

• Explicit inclusion of EAL in the ITT Core Content Framework and the Early Career Framework, ensuring teachers receive the skills they need at the very start of their careers.
• Development of an effective teacher training programme to generate and maintain EAL expertise in schools.
• The creation of a National Professional Qualification for EAL specialists to help build expertise in schools and create professional pathways for teachers.
• Introduction of training in EAL for all mentors as a required component of all mentor training programmes, including those for the training of lead mentors.