Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell

Episode 2: Supporting Multilingual Learners in Secondary Schools with Jonathan Bifield | Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell

Welcome to Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, the podcast for teachers, school leaders, EAL specialists, and educators passionate about supporting multilingual learners and creating inclusive classrooms.

In Episode 2, Helen Bodell is joined by Jonathan Bifield, an experienced EAL Coordinator at a large secondary school in Leicester. With more than 20 years of experience in English language teaching, EAL provision, SEND, and teacher education, Jonathan shares practical advice and evidence-informed strategies for supporting pupils who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Jonathan's career has taken him from teaching English in Thailand to working in UK secondary schools and universities. He has served as an IELTS examiner, EAL and SEND Coordinator, and university tutor on pre-sessional English courses, as well as delivering teacher training for educators from China. Jonathan also writes for the NALDIC EAL Journal and shares valuable resources and insights through his website, EAL Daylight.

In this conversation, Helen and Jonathan discuss the realities of leading EAL provision in secondary education, supporting newly arrived pupils, and ensuring multilingual learners can thrive both academically and socially. They also explore the relationship between EAL and SEND, effective classroom strategies, and the importance of whole-school approaches to inclusion.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What the role of an EAL Coordinator looks like in a secondary school.
• Practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners across the curriculum.
• How EAL and SEND provision can work together to meet pupils' needs.
• Tips for helping newly arrived pupils settle into school successfully.
• Lessons from over two decades of experience in English language education.

Whether you're an EAL Coordinator, classroom teacher, teaching assistant, school leader, or anyone interested in multilingual education, this episode is packed with practical ideas and professional insights to help you better support learners of English as an Additional Language.

Explore more EAL resources

Join Twinkl EAL:

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/72uh3

Access FREE EAL CPD webinars and events:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/the-twinkl-eal-collection-2587299

If you enjoyed this episode of Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues. Each episode brings together leading voices in multilingual education to share practical strategies, research, and inspiration for supporting multilingual learners and helping every child flourish.

Episode 1: Supporting Multilingual Learners with Dr Sabine Little | EAL Podcast

Welcome to the very first episode of the Twinkl EAL Podcast, a podcast for teachers, school leaders, EAL specialists, and anyone passionate about supporting multilingual learners in education.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr Sabine Little, Lecturer in Languages Education at the University of Sheffield. Dr Little's research explores the relationship between language, identity, belonging, and multilingualism, with a focus on helping schools recognise and celebrate the linguistic and cultural strengths of multilingual children.

Together, we discuss how educators can create more inclusive classrooms for pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), why multilingualism should be viewed as an asset, and practical ways teachers can support children's language development and sense of belonging.

Dr Little's work spans schools, families, and communities. She is the creator of Sheffield's Multilingual Children's Library, which received the prestigious Brenda Eastwood Award for Diversity and Inclusion, and she currently leads the Lost Wor(l)ds project, equipping teachers with practical tools to support multilingual pupils holistically throughout their education.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why multilingualism is a strength in every classroom.
• How language shapes children's identity and sense of belonging.
• Practical strategies for supporting multilingual learners and EAL pupils.
• The importance of recognising and valuing pupils' home languages.
• How schools can create more inclusive learning environments for multilingual families.

Whether you're new to teaching English as an Additional Language, an experienced EAL practitioner, or simply interested in inclusive education, this conversation offers valuable insights grounded in research and classroom practice.

Useful links

Explore Twinkl EAL resources:

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/72uh3

Access our FREE EAL CPD events and webinars:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/the-twinkl-eal-collection-2587299

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who are passionate about supporting multilingual learners and creating inclusive classrooms. Join us as we explore evidence-informed practice, expert insights, and practical strategies to help every multilingual learner thrive.