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How to support pupils who have EAL

Find advice to help you identify the needs of pupils who have English as an additional language (EAL), and see what adjustments you can make in school to support them.

Last reviewed on 19 November 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 13150
Contents
  1. Assess pupils' starting points and needs
  2. Improve your school environment for pupils who have EAL
  3. Support pupils who have EAL to access the curriculum
  4. Support pupils with social integration
  5. Support parents/carers and maintain regular communication
  6. Develop staff knowledge using these resources
  7. Learn more about supporting refugee pupils
  8. See how other schools offer support to pupils who have EAL 
  9. Understand Ofsted's expectations regarding pupils who have EAL

This article focuses on how you can support pupils in your school who speak English as an additional language (EAL). Our other article includes information on how to identify which pupils have EAL and how to record the languages they speak.

Assess pupils' starting points and needs

Keep in mind that pupils who have EAL:

  • Will have a wide variety of needs
  • Will have strengths and weaknesses in different skills
  • Might speak English fluently – just not as their first language
  • Already speak at least 1 other language – you shouldn't lower your expectations of them or treat them as less capable than any other pupil

Meet with the parents or carers to understand the pupil and their starting point

Your local authority (LA) or multi-academy trust offers a service Other schools in your area can