Children who have English as a second language should not be regarded as having a speech and language difficulty. Even children who have had limited exposure to English before going to school can become competent communicators. However, some of these children may have speech and language difficulties in their heritage or home language.

Please take a look at our Bilingual postcard for parents and practitioners - available to download here

This section includes relevant resources and advice to support children who have EAL (English as an Additional Language) and also children who have speech and language difficulties in their heritage/home language.    

Individual Toolkit Sections:

• Assessing Children Whose First Language Is Not English

• Importance of Bilingualism

• Language Development Pyramid Poster

• Pre-Assessment Form for Bilingual Children

• Teaching Children Whose First Language Is Not English

Use of Resources:

All materials are © Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (2012).  This material is intended for settings and families to use following discussion with Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Childrens Speech and Language Therapy service as part of their therapy. 

It is strongly advised that this resource is used in line with the Speech and Language Therapist's advice and guidance.

These materials shall not be reproduced without written permission from Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust Children's Speech and Language Therapy service. 

Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust has made every attempt to trace original authors or owners of copyrighted materials that have been used in this publication.  If you are the owner of the copyright of material that has not been acknowledged please contact us.

Boardmaker Symbols have been used under kind permission of DynaVox Mayer-Johnson.  The Picture Communication Symbols ©1981–2009 by DynaVox Mayer-Johnson LLC.  All Rights Reserved Worldwide.  Used with permission.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for improving our Toolkit, please email Andrea - we’d love to hear from you.