Here at St Mary’s we believe that developing a pupil’s first language has a positive impact on their development in English.
At St Mary's, we understand that helping pupils develop their first language boosts their confidence and sense of identity while also helping them learn English. We include first language development in our lessons to create a supportive environment for learning both languages. We also work closely with families to encourage language growth at home, ensuring that every pupil has a well-rounded educational experience.
In St Mary’s the child's language is assessed using the Proficiency in English stages:
Stage A – New to English
Stage B – Early Acquisition
Stage C – Developing Competence
Stage D – Competent
Stage E - Fluent
A child’s language development is monitored closely and Stage of English reviewed termly.
How can parents support their children in their English acquisition?
Support the children in maintaining and developing their mother tongue skills.
Parents should talk to their children in their first language unless they have strong language skills of their own.
Here are some websites that may be useful:
