2021-2022 Aim: Developing whole school plurilingual environments. ‘We were multilingual, we are now plurilingual’ (Tracie Tobin, St. Michael’s Infant School). The TEAL Project (TED EAL) is an initiative of the TED (Transforming Education through Dialogue) Project located in the Curriculum Development Unit at MIC. The nine DEIS schools listed below are involved in TEAL. In 2020, TEAL received a European Language Label Award (ELL) for their innovative content development and inclusive practices. In 2022 TEAL received the John Coolahan Award from the Teaching Council of Ireland for ‘its potential to make impact in leading learning through evidencedinformed practices, inclusion, high levels of collaboration between schools and HEI-based researchers and supporting teachers’ learning of plurilingual practices’. For further information on the project see: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=oktiI1il8hY
Welcome to the TEAL Newsletter May 2022
St. Michael’s Infant School, Limerick
Thanks to TEAL Project Schools & Lead EAL Teachers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Coláiste Mhichíl Post-Primary: Paula Mullins Coláiste Nano Nagle: Livia Healy and Jillian Ryan St. John the Baptist Boy’s School: Margaret Grace St. John's Girls and Infant Boys School: Marie Keogh Presentation Primary: Sarah Brennan Scoil Iosagáin CBS: Lisa O'Callaghan St. Mary's School: Noelle Mann St. Michael's Infant School: Barbara Engels, Ciara Ryan and Eanna Ó Coigligh
9. Our Lady of Lourdes: Mary Maguire
Draft TEAL Schedule 2021-2022
Coláiste Mhichíl, Limerick
European day of languages
Paula Mullins on filming for PPLI On Tuesday 8 March 2022, Kenia Puig along with 2 camera crew arrived in Coláiste Mhichíl in Limerick. Kenia works for Post- Primary languages Ireland and has developed an Intercultural Toolkit to be used by schools. I (Paula) had attended a webinar in April 2021 run by ELSTA, which outlined how the toolkit worked. I immediately could see the benefits of doing this whole school community survey to get feedback from our EAL (International) students. I began working on this in September 2021 and Kenia and my paths crossed again in person at a TEAL event in Mary Immaculate College. Due to lockdowns and remote staff meetings, I had developed a staff PowerPoint to introduce the Intercultural toolkit. This was then uploaded onto the PPLI website for other schools to use as a resource. Kenia mentioned in passing that she would love to come and film our experiences of doing the survey in the school. I agreed wholeheartedly and I have to say the whole experience was so rewarding. It was wonderful to hear the voices of our EAL students, staff members, our Home School Liaison officer, the Principal and parents. We are all looking forward to seeing the finished product once it comes out of the editing suite!
Paula filming for PPLI
St. Michael’s Infant School, Limerick The boys and girls in St. Michael’s Infant School were very busy at home with their Mums and Dads decorating their country flags. The flags are proudly displayed at the front of our school. It is lovely to see such diversity in our small school.
St. Michael’s Infant School, Limerick “Language is in every subject”
St. John the Baptist Boy’s School, Limerick go on Twitter
St. John the Baptist Boys’ School in the Limerick leader — ‘for welcoming Erasmus+ teachers from Hoger Technisch Instituut Sint-Antonius Ghent (Belgium) into their schools to showcase the Irish education system, Irish culture and implementation of the Primary Language Curriculum (2019).
St. John the Baptist Boy’s School, Limerick
Margaret Grace and David Nicholas (Principal) showcasing multilingual displays in their school Photos: Limerick Leader & Margaret Grace
Welcoming Erasmus+ teachers to Ireland: St. John the Baptist Boy’s Primary School and Mary Immaculate College’s TEAL Project Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language in the Classroom Led by Principal, David Nicholas and EAL Lead Teacher, Margaret Grace, on Thurs 24th and Friday 25th March, St. John the Baptist Boy’s Primary School welcomed Erasmus+ teachers-Hannah Leyns; Anke De Saedeleer and Caroline Reynders from Hoger Technisch Instituut Sint-Antonius Ghent (Belgium) into their schools to showcase the Irish education system, Irish culture and implementation of the primary language curriculum (2019), focusing on modelling inclusive, integrated language teaching and learning across languages. This was competently demonstrated by 4th-6th Class teacher, Alan Hally and students in 2nd-3rd class, under the direction of class teacher, Sheenah Crowley. Speaking about what the TEAL Project hopes to achieve, Dr. Fiodhna Gardiner-Hyland, TEAL Project Leader said: “Schools such as St. John the Baptist Boy’s School are key agents in modeling and supporting language development and acquisition. It is more important than ever before to cultivate plurilingual school environments that tap into the benefits of linguistic diversity for all pupils. The TEAL project aims to increase teacher knowledge and confidence of teaching EAL learners, focusing on culturally and linguistically responsive teaching approaches in a partnership model of developing a face-to-face and online community of practice within schools in Limerick city” From left to right—Aine Lyne (MIC) Margaret Grace, St. John the Baptist Boy’s School; Belgian Teachers—Caroline, Hannah, Anke, Ruth Bourke TED Coordinator MIC, Paula Mullins, Coláiste Mhichíl; Jill Histon, Our Lady of Lourdes; David Nicholas, Principal St John the Baptist Boy’s School. Picture Below—Dr Fiodhna Gardiner Hyland with the Belgian Teachers and also with Livia Healy
Erasmus + Belgian Teachers visit MIC & TEAL Schools A Glance at the Belgian Visit Schedule 24th- 25th March, 2022 Date
Time 11.00am
Event Céad Míle Fáilte!
Place
People Involved
MIC
Ruth Bourke, Coordinator of TED Projects; MIC International Office
Mini-tour of Mary Immaculate College Meet MIC representatives 11.20am11.40am
Overview of the TEAL Project, Limerick; Newsletter + Coffee
MIC Staffroom
Ruth Bourke, Áine Lyne
12-1pm
Tea/coffee/sandwiches Meet TEAL Teachers Presentation by Belgian teachers touching on some topics e.g. The Erasmus Plus process Overview of the Ghent context e.g. Dutch as a second language; other languages within the school; student profiles; first year programme for newcomer learners of Dutch Ways to create plurilingual classrooms/schools; promotion of L1 in Ghent secondary schools; ways to connect with multilingual parents Assessment and differentiation approaches used.
Room T115 (Tara Building, first floor)
Erasmus + Belgian Teachers (Hannah, Caroline, Anke)
Hunt Museum and St. John’s Castle tour (optional)
Hunt Museum
Day 1: 24th March, 2022
1-2pm
TEAL School representatives Invitation extended to Year 4 Elective Student teachers for linguistic and cultural diversity (EDE 437)
All welcome
School visits to a Primary/Post-Primary TEAL Project schools 10am
St. John the Baptist Boy’s school visit focusing on: School and EAL room walk about 5th/6th class boys explain the Irish game ‘Hurling’, led by Class teacher Sheenadh Crowley & EAL teacher, Margaret Grace. Observe dual language lesson (English/Irish) 2nd-4th class, co-taught by Class Teacher, Alan Hally & EAL Teacher, Margaret Grace.
Day 2: 25th March, 2022
12.30pm
Coláiste Mhichíl school visit focusing on: School and EAL room walk about EAL teacher, Paula Mullins to give an overview of the ‘Whole School Intercultural Toolkit’ as introduced to the whole staff
St. John the Baptist Boys’ School, Garryowen Limerick
Belgian teachers; Principal, David Nicholas; Lead EAL Teacher, Margaret Grace; Class teachers, Alan Hally; Sheenadh Crowley; Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland
Coláiste Mhichíl, Sexton Street
Principal, Denis O’Conor; Lead EAL teacher, Paula Mullins; Transition Year students; Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland
Coláiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street
Sinéad Moloney, Principal; Lead EAL teacher: Livia Healy; Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland
Transition Year students to teach lessons in home languages
2.30pm3.00pm (*If time permits)
*Coláiste Nano Nagle school visit/EAL room walk about Discussion Points: Creating a post-primary plurilingual environment Catering for students in the silent phase of second language acquisition Overview of Coláiste Nano Nagle’s International Day Action planning involving subject teachers in teaching of EAL
Funding Application The TEAL Project, Limerick: Ní Neart go cur le Chéile:
A Professional learning Teacher Network Supporting the Teachers of EAL Learners. We are delighted to inform you that the TEAL Project has been awarded a €4,000 bursary by the Teaching Council Research Bursary Scheme (RBS) award under the John Coolahan Research Support Framework. Together with Paula Mullins, Coláiste Mhichíl, and Margaret Grace, St. John the Baptist Boys School, Dr. Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland and Dr. Ruth Bourke applied for the award to support their research project entitled ‘The TEAL Project, Limerick: Ní Neart go cur le Chéile. A professional learning teacher network supporting the teachers of EAL learners’. This award acknowledges the potential impact of TEAL on evolving teacher knowledge, confidence and practices of teaching EAL learners over time. Specifically, it supports the development of collaborative and reflective practice amongst participating teachers and schools. The Teaching Council of Ireland review panel commended the TEAL Project for ‘its potential to make impact… in leading learning through evidenced-informed practices; inclusion; with high levels of collaboration between schools and HEI-based researchers… and supporting teachers’ learning (of plurilingual practices).. which is ‘timely and appropriate’. The Awards Ceremony takes place on Thursday 26th May, 6pm online for anyone wishing to attend. Online links have been forwarded to schools. Following the Awards Ceremony, a webpage with details of the TEAL Project and other award winners will be placed on the Teaching Council website.
Cólaiste Nano Nagle School, Limerick
Next TEAL Steering Committee Meeting —15 June 2022 Say YES to Languages
CBS Primary School, Limerick
Linking Student Teachers, TEAL Teachers; Strong Gens’ NGO. Paula Mullins, TEAL teacher from Coláiste Mhíchíl delivers a presentation to 4th Year B.Ed. student teachers in elective EDE 437 ‘Cultural and Linguistic Diversity’ on ‘Devising Language Support Plans for EAL Learners’. Student teachers learn about the NGO, Strong Gens, for which some have volunteered to teach online once a week to children in a Greek Refugee Camp. Go to www.strong-gens.com for further details.
Presenter, Graduate Student, Lorna O’Neil with Year 4 EDE 437 Student Teachers in MIC
NCSE Supports plans used by Coláiste Mhichíl
St. John’s Girls and Infant Boys School, Limerick TEAL Update from St. John’s Girls and Infant Boys School It is with great excitement and immense sadness that Marie Keogh, EAL teacher
in St. John’s Girls and Infant Boys School has announced her intention to retire at the end of the current school year. Marie has taught at all class levels from Juniors to Sixth Class and is ending her career in EAL, where she has loved witnessing the ease at which international students are welcomed in to the school community and how quickly they become fluent in English. Now, after a 38-year career in teaching, Marie is looking forward to embarking on new adventures, including undertaking a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing in UL, hiking, travelling and possibly even rewilding the garden! Marie would like to thank the whole TEAL community and in particular Fíodhna for all the wonderful support and CPD provided during the last three years and wish everybody great success with the project. As stated by TEAL Project Leader, Dr. Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland, ‘We would like to thank Marie for sharing her wisdom with us all and for her dedication, enthusiasm and
creativity in working collaboratively on the TEAL Project since 2019. Marie will be greatly missed for her collaborative, honest, sincere and relentless support of learners with EAL and all. It was a privilege to get to know Marie and to learn from her years of experience in the primary classroom. Marie embraced change with grace and most recently delivered an online session to both pupils and TEAL Project colleagues online. Go n-éirí go geal leat Marie. You’ll always be part of the TEAL Project community and welcome to join us any time’.
Months of year in multiple languages Numbers in multiple languages
St. John’s Girls and Infant Boys School, Limerick Plurilingual writing examples and welcome profiles
St. Mary’s National School, Limerick From Marian Kennedy
St Mary’s NS has recently started on the journey to become a recognised 'School of Sanctuary'. Our school will be joining a family of hundreds of schools in Ireland and UK, all committed to a promoting a culture of welcome and inclusion for people seeking International Protection. We have decided in 2022 to make a commitment towards becoming a School of Sanctuary. A School of Sanctuary is a school that works on providing a sense of safety for those whose lives may be in danger in their own country, who have troubles at home or are just looking for a space where they can feel safe. The whole school is committed to making it a safe and welcoming place for anyone seeking sanctuary. The school consciously helps students, staff and the wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary. Schools of Sanctuary welcome everyone as equal, valued members of the school and the community. It is a school that is proud to be a place of safety and inclusion for all. A School of Sanctuary develops intercultural awareness through the gradual acquisition of intercultural skills and celebrate all cultures within its community. To become a recognised School of Sanctuary, we will need to adopt the three principles – Learn, Action and Share. Learn: What it means to be seeking sanctuary; this may include hearing refugees describe their experiences first hand. Action: Decide on actions that are needed in the school to help develop a culture of welcome and inclusion. Share: Share your findings with the wider community and other schools Under the ‘Sharing’ principle, we include our involvement in the TEAL project: - St Mary’s NS is a proud member of the TEAL project in conjunction with Mary Immaculate College. Launched in September 2019, the TEAL Project (TED EAL) is an initiative of the TED (Transforming Education through Dialogue) Project located within the Curriculum Development Unit at MIC. To become a schools of sanctuary go to: https://schools-ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/become-a-school-ofsanctuary
Photo was taken our 'Sign the Pledge' day on 8/4/22. Members of our Sanctuary Steering Committee, Student Council, Ahmed Hassan Mohamed (Doras Luimni) and St Mary's Principal- Eoghan O Byrne (Committee Chairperson) posed for a photo in front of our Sanctuary Display
Presentation Primary School, Limerick Hindi Rhyme— of Hot Cross Buns Twinkle Twinkle Little Star In Hungarian
An older pupil reads 'Farmer Duck' in Arabic to a younger pupil-using one of the many multicultural books in Presentation Primary School.
Exploring nursery rhymes
In Presentation Primary School, pupils made Happy Eid / Eid Mubarak cards for friends who were celebrating Eid on 3 May 2022
Presentation Primary School, Limerick Pupils making a poster 'Roll Call in 5th Class'.
Coláiste Mhichíl, Limerick For ‘International Day’ in Coláiste Mhichíl , there were 45 different countries represented at different stalls– participants could sample a range of food, traditional drinks and learn about different cultures, customs, languages and traditional dress. Dr. Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland (MIC) took part as a judge, while Coláiste Mhichíl Principal, Denis O'Conor along with Paula Mullins, Henry Long and CBS teachers co-ordinated a sophisticated intercultural event.
link to the International day 2022: https://youtu.be/jctuvobUNjY
...more photos from 'Coláiste Mhichíl's International Day celebrations.
Cólaiste Nano Nagle School, Limerick Cólaiste Nano Nagle’s International Day
Our Lady of Lourdes School, Limerick Exploring languages and religions: where in the world? Thanks to Principal, Peter Jennings and Lead TEAL Teacher, Jill Histon for photos.
Planning for next year: Ongoing Considerations for TEAL Schools Consider setting up a plurilingual school committee,
with representatives from different year groups to discuss ongoing priorities for language learning. Conduct a whole school self-evaluation using the ’10
cultural norms of creative, collaborative schools’ introduced on 2nd November/sent to all schools. Conduct a SCOT analysis of priorities for next year for
creating a plurilingual whole school. Consider conducting the intercultural whole school
evaluation toolkit, as introduced by Kenia Puig: Home An Intercultural Look at our Schools (ppli.ie). See example practical presentation with audio for school staff to use/amend, as introduced by Paula Mullins in Coláiste Mhichíl Post-Primary school: https:// ilaos.ppli.ie/whole-school-resources/ Trial 1-2 mini-whole school initiatives (practical exam-
ples from the European Centre for Modern Languages: https://www.ecml.at/ECML-Programme/ Programme2016-2019/roadmapforschools/ Promisingpractices/tabid/4188/language/en-GB/ Default.aspx. Trial incorporating home languages and Irish into all
lessons. Gather samples of school and classroom practices e.g.
photos/descriptions, handouts, schemes, samples of multilingual writing; plurilingual displays for a publication arising out of this project. Lead EAL teachers to consider for next year ‘Talk
abouts’/mini-information session to staff based on one topic from TEAL Project resources.
Further International Collaborations On the 14th June, Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland, Tracie Tobin (Principal, St. Michael’s Infant School) and Margaret Grace (St. John the Baptist Boys’ School) are delivering an online presentation on the TEAL Project as part of an international digital portfolio to be shown to teachers across German in collaboration with The German Children and Youth Foundation (Deutsche Kinder und Jugendstiftung) in the project “Enfolding diversity – Empowering schools” (“Vielfalt entfalten – Gemeinsam für starke Schulen”). They are also inviting TEAL project schools to take part in a short film, showcasing examples of plurilingual practice across Europe. Here is an example they created on Finish schools-you can use Google Chrome translate to read: https://lernreise.vielfaltentfalten.de/finnland/uebersicht TEAL Project schools have been chosen to showcase plurilingual practices within Irish schools. They are engaging Limerick-based ‘AV Star Systems’ to film in schools on the 14th June, sometime between 1-4pm. The timeline for this is short. Are you interested in being involved with them? They are looking for 1-2 schools.
Reminder: International Developments Council of Europe approves new recommendation for education (Dr. Deirdre Kirwin) At the beginning of February 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe approved a Recommendation to the member states on the importance of plurilingual and intercultural education for democratic culture. The implementation of the Recommendation will depend crucially on teachers, who are described as the agents of change. Member states are invited to encourage the implementation of whole-school policies and practices that welcome and valorise linguistic and cultural diversity, promote language learning and the development of plurilingual repertoires. Individuals’ home languages are identified as being the starting point for all learning. Plurilingual repertoires comprising languages that the individual can use here and now, should begin from the earliest stages of learning. This Recommendation provides very welcome support not only for language learners but also for teachers and school communities who are already engaged in promoting the use of learners’ plurilingual repertoires in their classrooms. Hopefully, it will also encourage others to follow suit. The Recommendation and accompanying Explanatory Memorandum can be found here: https:// www.coe.int/en/web/cm/-/meeting-of-the-ministersdeputies-on-2-february-2022
Wellbeing Belly Meditating at St. Mary’s school.
TEAL’s Recent Continuous Professional Development
Transition Year Students Teach Language Lessons in Home Languages
TEAL Event half day, MIC: 6th April 1.
‘Creating Plurilingual Schools 3’; Introducing ‘Language Mats’; New Moodle Site for TEAL, at a glance Dr. Fiodhna Gardiner-Hyland:.
2.
Including Home Languages in the Classroom, Dr. Aoife Merrins, DCU/Teacher/Researcher.
3.
Schools of Sanctuary- Aidan Harte, NUIG
3rd May: Bite-sized language and literacy for the infant class, Dr. Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland.
“Our EAL teacher invited all the students from the Irish class. One of them taught us Irish. I learned some of the easy words in Irish through their stunning powerpoint… I really enjoyed this project and I really would like to emphasise to all the EAL teachers in Ireland to inspire the migrant students though these kinds of activities, since we all know that “Language is the blood of the soul into which thought run and out of which they grow.” (MD Ibrahim Islam, Bengali, Coláiste Mhichíl)
“I did my presentation with the intent of making it both informative and entertaining. Adding lessons together with humour is for me one of the best ways to learn.” (Miguelangel Leo, Spanish, Venezuela, Coláiste Mhichíl)
Baking during Lockdown
TEAL Invitations Online live presentations delivered by Fíodhna Gardiner -Hyland:
An overview of the TEAL Project, Limerick: City Connects Project Leaders, MIC: 23rd May, 2022; 12.00p.m.
‘Strategies for supporting literacy diversity’: Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI).
‘An Overview of the TEAL Project’: Perspectives from a Researcher; Principal and EAL Teacher (Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland, Tracie Tobin and Margaret Grace) Online presentation, The German Children and Youth Foundation, as detailed on page 18.
Upcoming TEAL Project Events Online Steering Committee Meeting: 15 June
2022 Needs Analysis for 2022-2023 to be completed
by schools by Friday 3rd June. Interviews with principals and teacher to be
conducted by Fíodhna and Ruth, June 2022.
School Visits School visit by Fíodhna Gardiner-Hyland to St. John’s Infant Boys’ and Girls' School presenting on 'Developing a Whole School Plurilingual environment' with follow-up discussions on drafting an action plan for 2022-2023.
School Clusters School clusters are beginning to collaborate on joint projects e.g. Music in the classroom, while sharing language teaching practices and resources (e.g. St. Mary’s Primary School with St. John’s Boys’ Primary School).
Publications Gardiner-Hyland, F. (November, 2021). Don’t forget us! Challenges supporting children with EAL in Irish Primary Schools. European Journal of Applied Linguistics, Chapter 8, pp. 177-199. De Gruyter Mouton Publishers.
(Thanks to Livia Healy, Coláiste Nano Nagle)
Recent TEAL CPD Session in Mary Immaculate College
TEAL Project recent CPD session in MIC focusing on ‘Schools of Sanctuary’ and ‘Home languages in the Classroom’. Photo left—Teachers at CPD Session Photo right— From left to right: Guest Lecturer Ms. Aoife Merrins-Gallagher and Dr. Fiodhna Gardiner– Hyland
Míle buíochas to all involved in organizing our TEAL ‘Show and Tell’ event on Thursday 26 May, including: Marie Quaid, Triena Delaney, Hellen Gallagher, Jim Coleman, Ruth Bourke, Caroline Duffy; MIC Catering and to Sean Smith and his Maintenance Staff. Thanks to you all for your ongoing dedication, collaboration and time given to this project, especially school principals, Lead TEAL teachers, class and subject teachers. We would also like to thank our guests and supporters: Senior Inspector Maria Lorigan; Professor Emer Ring, Dean of Education; Professor Lorraine McIllrath, Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) and Interculturalism ; Head of Language and Literacy Education, Seán de Brún; CDU Director, Eucharia McCarthy and Co-Ordinator of the EDNIP Project, Áine Lyne and to MIC colleagues who support our work. Finally many thanks to the Teaching Council for their recent acknowledgement of the work we do through the ‘John Coolahan Award’. Bígí samhradh deas agaibh go léir!
