Index

English language assessment guide

What is English language assessment?

This is a way to see how well a child is learning English. It helps teachers understand how the child is doing in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It also helps teachers plan how to support the child in class.

Before you start

Before testing a child, learn about them. Find out what language they speak at home, how well they read and write in that language, how they do in school subjects, and if they have been to school before. Also, ask about their support outside school. Use an interpreter if needed and let parents bring someone with them. You can use the Warrington Borough Council booklet to help collect this information.

Who should do the assessment?

The class teacher or someone who knows the child well should do the assessment. It should be done regularly, like once every school term. If you need help, email eal@warrington.gov.uk.

Choosing a test

There are many tests you can use to check English skills. These tests should be used often to see how the child is improving. The results help teachers plan lessons. Warrington Borough Council suggests using the Bell Foundation test. It is free, but you need to sign up to use it.

Bell Foundation links

Training

We offer training on how to do these assessments. We can also come to your school to help.

How is progress measured?

We use a 5-step scale to show how well a child knows English. It goes from 'New to English' to 'Fluent'.

How often to assess

We suggest checking English skills once every term. It is good to do this during the same time as other school tests.

Tracking progress

Warrington Borough Council is making a simple tool to track how a child improves from Nursery to age 16+.

Useful website

Early Years Guide for Children Learning English

What is EYFS?

EYFS means Early Years Foundation Stage, it is for children from birth to 5 years old. It helps children learn and grow in a safe and fun place like a nursery or school.

Important Ideas in EYFS

There are 4 big ideas in EYFS:

  1. Every child is special and can learn new things.
  2. Children learn better when they have good relationships with adults.
  3. Children learn well in places that help them explore and play.
  4. Every child learns in their own way and at their own speed.

Helping children who speak other languages

These ideas are very helpful for children who are learning English as an extra language. We call this EAL (English as an Additional Language).

What is WellComm?

WellComm is a tool that helps teachers see how much English a child understands and uses. It also helps find out if a child needs extra help with learning.

Using WellComm in other languages

WellComm can be used in other languages with help from a translator. Some languages like Polish and Urdu can be used for more parts of the test. It is good to make a language profile for each language the child speaks.

Understanding the results

Sometimes a child may seem to be doing well but scores low on the test. This can happen if they don’t know some words or songs in English.

Learning through real experiences

Children learn best when they do real things like cooking or shopping. These activities help them learn new words. Adults can also use the child’s home language to help them learn.

More help

If you want to know more about WellComm, you can email childcaretraining@warrington.gov.uk

Useful websites

Advanced EAL Learners - Easy Guide

Who are advanced EAL learners?

These are students who speak another language at home but have been in school in the UK for a long time. They can speak English well in everyday conversations, but they still need help with school language and writing.

Common challenges

Advanced EAL learners may:

  • Understand spoken English but struggle with reading and writing
  • Use simple words and short sentences
  • Make grammar mistakes from their home language
  • Have trouble with spelling, punctuation, and using correct tenses
  • Use only basic words and phrases
  • Find it hard to understand idioms or complex grammar.

Why support is still needed

Even if students speak English well, they still need help with schoolwork. They need to learn harder words and how to write in a formal way. Schools should not stop helping just because students seem fluent.

Questions schools should ask

  • How long do students need help?
  • What kind of help do they need?
  • How are their needs different from native English speakers?
  • How can we use our resources to help them best?
  • Are we helping them in all subjects, not just English?

What good schools do

  • Teachers know how to help advanced EAL learners
  • The school respects different cultures
  • Teachers check students’ writing carefully
  • Students are expected to do well
  • Teachers show how to write and explain grammar
  • Speaking and listening are important
  • Students get helpful feedback
  • All staff know that language support is ongoing
  • Extra help is checked to see if it works
  • The school encourages high goals for all students
  • Leaders understand EAL needs
  • The school uses test results to plan support
  • Teachers work together
  • There are clubs and homework help after school.

Helping with writing

  • Ask students to write more
  • Use mind maps and key words
  • Let them use personal stories
  • Help them organize ideas clearly.

Using language tools

  • Teach new words before writing
  • Show how to use paragraphs
  • Help students write longer and better sentences
  • Give clear feedback on how to improve.

Start using these tools from Key Stage 2 and continue as students grow.

Helping students who are new to English

Who are new to English learners?

These students are just starting to learn English. They may learn at different speeds depending on their past education and the help they get. They are usually in their first two years of learning English and are at the beginning level of the EAL (English as an Additional Language) framework.

Silent period

Some students may not speak much at first. This is normal. They are listening and learning even if they are quiet.

How to support new to English learners

These students need help with listening and learning simple classroom words. They are starting to speak and read in English. They can say short phrases but need a lot of help to understand lessons.

Classroom tips

Let someone who speaks the same language help the student in class. This could be a teacher, assistant, or another student.

Sit the student near you or another adult so they can see your face and hear clearly.

Pair them with students who speak the same first language or are good English speakers.

Give them small jobs in class to help them feel included.

Let them go last in games so they can watch and learn first.

Making lessons easier to understand

Speak slowly and clearly. Use the same simple phrases often. Use facial expressions and gestures to help explain.

Give one instruction at a time. Point to pictures or words when you talk about them.

Ask simple yes or no questions. Say the student’s name when asking questions and give them time to answer.

Use group activities like matching or sorting to help them talk and think. Print slides with pictures for them to keep.

Use tools like Alexa to translate, visual word mats, and scrapbooks for new words and pictures.

Teach useful phrases like 'I don’t understand' or 'I need the toilet'.

Give them a picture dictionary or a bilingual dictionary if they can read in their first language.

Use the EAL framework to check their progress and set goals.

Working with parents

Make school information easy to understand with pictures and clear words. Translate if needed.

Tell parents what topics are being taught so they can talk about them at home in their own language.

Send home picture flashcards and suggest games to play with them.

Share helpful websites like BBC Bitesize and British Council’s Learn English Kids.

Build a strong relationship with parents so they feel confident helping their child.

Encourage parents to speak their home language at home.

Helpful websites

Heritage Language GCSE - Easy Guide

What is a heritage language?

A heritage language is a language spoken by your family or community. It is not the main language used in the country you live in. Knowing your heritage language helps you feel connected to your family and culture.

Why is it useful?

Learning to read and write in your heritage language can help you do better in school. It can also help you in your future job and personal life.

Languages you can study

You can take a GCSE exam in many heritage languages. Some examples are Bengali, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Hebrew, Panjabi, Polish, Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, Cantonese, Greek, Gujarati, Japanese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish.

What will you study?

You will learn about topics like school, holidays, travel, and future plans. You will also learn about the culture of places where the language is spoken. You may study on your own, but a teacher or coordinator will help you.

What will you learn?

You will learn to speak and write in the language. You will also learn to understand things like signs, articles, and letters. You will practice using the language in real-life situations.

How will you be tested?

You will be tested in four areas: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. These tests check how well you understand and use the language. Most students take the Higher Tier exam because they already know the language well.

Getting ready for the exam

Before signing up for the exam, talk with your parents and teachers. They will explain what the exam is like and how to prepare. You might need to sign a form to show you are ready.

Support from school

Some teachers or staff may speak your heritage language. They can help you study and feel confident.

How to sign up for the exam

Ask your Exams Officer or teacher if you can take the exam at your school. If not, you may need to go to another school that offers the exam.

When are the exams?

Exams happen in the summer, from May to June. The speaking test is planned by the exam centre and may happen at a different time.

Need help?

If you have questions or need help finding someone to do the speaking test, ask your school team.

Useful websites

You can find more help online. Look for websites like:

Helping students who are learning English

Why this guide is important

Some students in school are learning English while also learning other subjects. They may come from different countries and speak different languages. This guide gives five simple ideas to help these students do well in school.

Value the student's home language

Students who speak more than one language can use their home language to help learn English. Let them use both languages when learning. This helps them understand better.

Expect the best and give the right help

Believe that all students can do well. Teachers and helpers should work together to give support. This helps students feel confident and ready to learn.

Teach language and subjects together

When teaching a subject like science or history, also teach the English words needed. Use pictures, videos, and simple words to help students understand. If students need extra help, give it in a way that connects to what they are learning in class.

Use good ways to check learning

Check what students know in both English and their home language. This helps teachers understand what the student needs. Do not use tests made only for native English speakers. Ask for help from someone who speaks the student’s language if needed.

Make school a safe and welcoming place

Make students and their families feel welcome. Let them use their home language at school and at home. Understand that moving to a new country can be hard. Be kind and make school a safe place to learn and grow.

14 October 2025