English - Second Language

English as an additional language or Dialect (EAL/D)

Cecil Hills High is proudly a very multicultural school that recognises that learning English is essential for its 82.3% LBOTE students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds who speak a language other than English as their first language.  

This year continues to be a busy year for the EAL/D team as we continue to work tirelessly to improve our EAL/D program which is instrumental in the success of our EAL/D students.  We are very proud of our English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) program that operates as an integral part of the whole school curriculum designed and delivered by trained EAL/D staff to deliver EAL/D education in a variety of ways to meet the diverse needs of our EAL/D students at different stages of learning English.

Our focus on delivering the best for our EAL/D students remain undiminished as showcased in the  creation of our English program that is differentiated and scaffolded to result in explicit learning for the EAL/D students across the EAL/D learning progression scale. Our targeted EAL/D students from Stage 4 and 5 are housed in EAL/D classes run by the EAL/D teacher with the aim of maximising and enriching their language learning experiences and to develop their literacy and English language skills. In addition the direct EAL/D teaching mode implemented by Mr Comans the English/ EAL/D Head Teacher to support Stage 6 EAL/D students allows them to develop their control of language in ways that will help them in lifelong learning in their chosen careers and in life. The progress witnessed by our EAL/D students in these targeted EAL/D classes all tell our story about our commitment to being Cecil’s best showcase of an EAL/D program.

We have a busy agenda ahead, one that will continue to ask us to challenge ourselves but working together with our students we are confident at Cecil we can deliver the best results that we need to achieve from our EAL/D students. Our EAL/D program continues to promise to be a rich and varied role with great challenges ahead of us as Cecil Hills High School will continue to witness an increasing need in the overall need for EAL/D support.  

EAL/D will continue to bring the love of learning to life and create a strong future for our proud EAL/D students who will always be an integral part of the Cecil family. Our program will continue to equip our young EAL/D students for the times we live in now: to respond to a present shaped and coloured by their cultural past, and looking to the future.

Mr Mitchell Comans,  English / EAL/D Head Teacher

Mrs Marilyn. Rattos,  English / EAL/D Teacher

Our EAL/D had many positive things to say about being a part of this team.

"When I arrived from Thailand I was placed in the EAL/D class as I knew very little English.  Four years of being with my EAL/D teacher is an unforgettable experience.  Remembering learning English with her never fails to bring a smile on my face".  

Kevin Emjai, Year 10  from Thailand

"Learning a new language is never an easy journey.  I have appreciated the way the English EAL/D class has offered me a supportive and competitive environment".

Ryan Ho, Year 10 International student Hong Kong

"My most enjoyable school experiences are learning English in the EAL/D class". 

Simone Arborio, Year 10 from Italy 

"Coming from war torn Syria as refugees to Australia was traumatic but this all changed as we feel safe and a sense of belonging in our EAL/D class:.  

Rabina Aziz, Year 7 and Ourgina Aziz, Year 11 refugees from Syria 

I am an international student from Cambodia and being placed in the school’s EAL/D class has made learning the English language a fun filled experience and educating period of my life.

Phanouk Nop, Year 11 International student from Cambodia

"Being in an EAL/D class has given me the confidence to speak and write in English which has made me believe that anything is achievable.  I enjoy my English periods, my EAL/D teacher makes learning the language fun".

Moayad Sabbagh, Year 7 refugee from Syria

"I came knowing only Spanish and with no English but today I can read, speak and write English.  My life has changed for I love the language English".  

Constanza Ortiz, Year 10 from Chile