Meera Pillai

A little about me

I coordinate English as an Additional Language across the school. The role is not simply about running withdrawal groups; it is also about helping subject teachers think about the language pupils need in their lessons. A science task, for example, can be difficult to enter when its instructions and key terms remain implicit. I want teachers to plan for this rather than assume everyday conversation tells the whole story.

A pupil who is quiet in English still has ideas to share. We can create different ways to participate, allow time to listen and offer language supports that help pupils explain their thinking. New arrivals need to be understood in context, but support should remain connected to what happens in the classroom.

I look for resources that help teachers identify the language embedded in a task and give pupils a route into it. A checklist or planning question can make an implicit demand easier to see. I want EAL to be part of good subject teaching, with attention to what pupils can communicate in different ways.