Supporting EAL/D students through "The Writing Project"

Abstract

A Catholic College in South Australia undertook a writing project to develop a more inclusive approach for (EALD) students and improve the literacy capability of all students. The Writing Project was designed upon the request of the School Principal, with the aim to build the capacity of the teaching staff so they could meet the needs of the rapidly changing student demographic including an increase in EAL/D enrolments. Over the period of three years, the school staff engaged in a range of professional learning opportunities, which were delivered by the visiting EAL/D Consultant and the Director of Student Learning. The data collected confirmed that the majority of staff experienced the value of the project and the range of professional learning opportunities led to sustainable transformations in teaching practices. The data collected from a sample of EAL/D students confirmed that The Writing Project has had a positive outcome on the EAL/D students’ language proficiency as they engage with subjects across the curriculum. The Writing Project at the Catholic College can be used as model of best practice in capacity building for other school sites aiming to develop sustainable improvements in language and literacy education for all.