English as an Additional Language

The Ethnic Minority Achievement Unit (EMAU) is a central local authority education service that provides support, advice and guidance to primary and secondary schools in Swansea, with regard to children from minority ethnic backgrounds, in particular those learning English as an additional language (EAL). The purpose of the service is to ensure the inclusion and achievement of minority ethnic learners across schools in Swansea.

Recently there have been changes to the way services for minority ethnic learners are being delivered. All schools have access to training, advice and guidance. Schools with larger numbers of EAL learners have funding to develop their own provision for minority ethnic learners. Schools with smaller numbers of EAL learners have access to direct support from EMAU's small central team of specialist teachers and bilingual teaching assistants.

The specialist teachers have a key role in assessing learners and providing advice, guidance and training to school staff so that schools can develop their own expertise in meeting the distinctive and diverse needs of EAL learners. The main role of the bilingual teacher assistants is to provide short-term, in-class support for pupils who are in the early stages of learning English.

EMAU also oversees interpreting and translating services for parents/carers.

How can services be accessed, who to contact?

In the first instance, parents/carers should discuss their child's EAL needs and any interpreting and translating needs directly with the school. Where schools have access to services from the central team, referrals are made from the child's school.