"The Blue Book" has been in existence for about eighteen years.
It was written at a time before the explosion of information about EAL in publications and on the internet and was intended to support schools in Newcastle on EAL issues in a succinct, easy to read and accessible manner. This is still our aim.
Initially, the booklet had a blue cover - hence the title.
Initially, the booklet had a blue cover - hence the title.
Although, much of the content can now be found elsewhere, and in greater detail, many teachers and teaching assistants still find the blue book useful. So we have kept it on our website and commend it to you.
The Blue Book
The Blue Book
One of its two authors is still a member of the EMTRAS team.
Over the years there have been some alterations. The terminology we use has changed significantly as have resources available to guide and support EAL new arrivals and advanced bilinguals.
But some parts of The Blue Book, such as "Language Development", "Background Information required on Admission to School" and "Classroom Strategies for Teaching Beginner EAL pupils" have had only odd words changed over all those years as the information and advice have stood the test of time.
Over the years there have been some alterations. The terminology we use has changed significantly as have resources available to guide and support EAL new arrivals and advanced bilinguals.
But some parts of The Blue Book, such as "Language Development", "Background Information required on Admission to School" and "Classroom Strategies for Teaching Beginner EAL pupils" have had only odd words changed over all those years as the information and advice have stood the test of time.