Virtual English as an Additional Language (EAL) New Arrivals program
Responding to challenges associated with the provision of adequate language support for newly-arrived students in geographically isolated areas
2014-2015
In response to challenges associated with the provision of adequate language support for newly-arrived students in geographically isolated areas, the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET) in 2014/15 implemented a pilot online English as an Additional Language (EAL) program in conjunction with Western English Language School (WELS) and the Victorian School of Languages (VSL).
The pilot project delivered an individualised intensive EAL program to 10 students in the South West Victoria region with the aim of determining the viability of adopting an online delivery model for isolated newly-arrived students. The Department required an external evaluator to assess the viability of the EAL Online Pilot project. This external evaluation project, carried out by the Language Testing Research Centre (LTRC) investigated the effectiveness of the EAL online pilot program through interviews with key stakeholders and assessments of student work samples.
Visit the DET website for further information