English Language Learners (ELL)
Discover the HPPS Difference
At Hobsonville Point Primary School, we take great pride in our English Language Learning (ELL) program. This program supports students from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, including New Zealand-born students who speak another language at home, migrants from non-English-speaking countries, and international students.
Our highly qualified and experienced ELL teachers and teacher aides provide targeted support to help students develop their English skills. Depending on their individual learning needs, students may participate in specific lessons in our ELL classroom. These lessons focus on building listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to help them succeed in both their schoolwork and everyday communication.
Students’ progress is assessed using the English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP), which helps track their development in English over time.
Stages of Language Development
Students in our ELL program progress through two key stages of language learning:
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Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS): This focuses on conversational fluency, which is often developed within 1–2 years.
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Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP): This is the more complex language needed for academic success and can take 5–7 years to achieve.
Cultural Connection and Heritage
We value and celebrate the cultural diversity of our students. Through friendship groups and PINS (Passions, Interests, Needs) workshops, students are encouraged to share and celebrate their cultures within the school community.
We also recognise the importance of maintaining a strong connection to a student’s heritage and first language. Research shows that children who are confident in their first language often learn a second language, like English, more effectively.
Supporting Your Child at Home
You play a vital role in supporting your child’s language development. Here are some ways to help:
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Spend time talking with your child about their day and their experiences.
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Read together regularly and encourage discussions about the stories and illustrations. Encourage your child to retell stories in their own words to build comprehension. “What happened in the story?” “The character first went ... then .. after … because … finally …”
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Support your child as they read their assigned texts, discussing the meaning and key ideas in your first language.
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Continue speaking your home language at home, as this strengthens their overall language development.
Helpful resources: Please click on the images below to find some useful information on the importance of reading in your first language.
