Episode 34: Why It Works – Planning for EAL Support | Effective Strategies for Teachers and Teaching Assistants with Dr Robert Sharples and Jo Thomson | Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell

Welcome to Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, the podcast for teachers, school leaders, EAL specialists, teaching assistants, and educators who are passionate about supporting multilingual learners through effective, evidence-informed practice.

This episode is part of our Why It Works series, where we explore the research behind approaches that support pupils learning English as an Additional Language (EAL).

In Episode 34, Helen Bodell is joined by Dr Robert Sharples, Lecturer in Language and Education at the University of Bristol and author of Teaching EAL: Evidence-Based Strategies for the Classroom and School, alongside Jo Thomson, Twinkl's EAL Content Writer and experienced primary teacher.

Together, they explore planning for EAL support, including the role of teaching assistants, effective classroom support, and how schools can plan interventions that help multilingual learners make progress.

Helen, Robert, and Jo discuss the latest research around supporting EAL learners and share evidence-informed strategies that educators can use to ensure support is purposeful, inclusive, and connected to classroom learning.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to effectively plan support for EAL learners.
• The role of teaching assistants in supporting multilingual pupils.
• How TAs can provide effective classroom and intervention support.
• The importance of connecting interventions with curriculum learning.
• Evidence-informed strategies for supporting language development.
• How EAL Leads can develop effective approaches across their setting.

Effective EAL support is about more than additional time or resources—it is about careful planning, collaboration, and ensuring that every adult working with a pupil understands how to support language development.

Whether you are an EAL Lead, classroom teacher, teaching assistant, SENCO, or school leader, this episode provides practical guidance to help you plan meaningful support for multilingual learners.

Explore more Twinkl EAL resources

Join Twinkl EAL:

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

Browse the full Twinkl EAL resource collection:

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1gx63t

Free EAL CPD sessions

Book your free online EAL CPD sessions:

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

If you enjoyed this episode of Talking Their Language with Helen Bodell, subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with colleagues. The Why It Works series explores practical strategies and the research behind approaches that help multilingual learners access learning and thrive in the classroom.