ESOL

Welcome

Hello   Kia Ora      Nǐhǎo      你好     Konnichi wa     今日は

Annyeong haseyo   안녕하세요 NamasteMabuhay

Assalam-o-alaikum   عﻉلﻝيﻱكﻙمﻡ   SalamatKia orana

Talofa        Malo e lelei Sat Sri akal   Bonjour

 Using English language at school

All teaching and learning instruction at The Gardens School is in English.  We also incorporate Te Reo Maori and New Zealand Sign Language.  These are the official languages of New Zealand.

Children who have attended an early childhood centre in New Zealand, should come to school with some English language they have learned from the teachers and other children in their centre.  This is an important first step in learning what it will be like at school.  If your child's teachers are not speaking to them in English, we encourage you to ask them to do this, so that your child can be better prepared for starting primary school, where English will be spoken all the time.  

If you have people in your family who speak English, we strongly encourage you to support your child in learning and regularly practicing the following:

• English greetings e.g., good morning, hello, goodbye
• Asking for help e.g., can I please use the toilet, can you please help me with my shoes, where do I go now? 
• Saying how they feel if something is wrong e.g., I feel sad, I have a sore tummy, I have hurt my arm
• Understanding and following simple instructions, e.g., come here, bring me your book, sit down here, put this away, take this to the teacher, where is your hat/bag/book? etc.
• Knowing the English names for classroom items and tools e.g., pen, pencil, scissors, glue-stick, book, school bag, lunch-box, drink-bottle

We also encourage you to continue developing a strong first language with your child.  

Literacy Support for New Learners of English (ESOL)

At The Gardens School we provide extra language support for new learners of English.

Children with an English language learning need are mainly taught by their classroom teacher but may also receive additional support from experienced Teacher Aides.

Your child may be given extra English language learning support if:

• they came to NZ from another country
• they are New Zealand born and at least one parent is a migrant to NZ
• their first language is not English e.g. they may speak Punjabi better than English

It is important that your child's English language develops, so that they are able to effectively access all areas of the curriculum.