English as an Additional Language

English as an Additional Language (EAL) F–10 curriculum

The new English as an Additional Language (EAL) curriculum will be available shortly for familiarisation purposes and optional implementation. For 2020, schools can choose to implement the new EAL curriculum or continue to use 'EAL companion to AusVELS'. All Victorian government and Catholic schools are expected to implement the new EAL curriculum from 2021.

2020 is a year of transition, to allow schools time to prepare and familiarise themselves with the new EAL curriculum. Throughout 2020, the VCAA, along with the Department of Education and Training (DET), the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) and Independent Schools Victoria (ISV), will support schools to plan and implement the new EAL curriculum by progressively rolling out EAL planning advice, assessment advice and new resources.

Reporting advice for 2020 is that schools can report against the achievement standards of either curriculum using their existing software. Detailed reporting advice from DET and CECV will be published on their respective websites.

The new EAL curriculum has been designed to be accessible to all teachers, not just EAL specialists. It is therefore helpful to engage the whole school in collective discussions about the EAL curriculum, and the ways that it can be most effectively implemented in schools.

Resources

Resources from the VCAA to support the new EAL curriculum include a language and learning interview, an extended glossary and sample progressions that offer guidance about how to determine the most appropriate pathway for each EAL learner.

EAL resource - Language and Learning interview