A student's Language is recorded on the front page of their student profile, and this is a requirement for the student Census.
NOTE:
For Census purposes, a student must have a 'First Language' recorded.
A first language other than English should be recorded under 'first language' where a student was exposed to the language during early development and continues to be exposed to this language in the home or in the community.
If a child was exposed to more than one language (which may include English) during early development the language other than English should be recorded, irrespective of the child's proficiency in English.
Add Language
On the student profile you may enter a language via the front page, at the bottom on the left side.
Click on the Cog and then Add New.
Select the language Type on either;
- First Language
- Multiple First Language
- Home
- Tuition
- Second Language
*Every student needs a First Language, but you may also wish to record a Home Language or Multiple First Language in addition to a First Language.
If a language other than English is selected, you are not able to save this language without adding an EAL Step (a pop up will alert you to this fact).
From the EAL Steps (Official) drop down, select Step 1, then Save.
Add Multiple Languages
If you need to add additional languages, you can click on the cog next to Languages again > Add New > select Multiple First Language from the 'Type' dropdown > select the Language > Save.
If in doubt about what constitutes as Multiple First Language, Second Language or Home Language, please contact your local authority or the DfE
An alternative location to record Language information is on the student profile's Extended tab, under the Support Information banner.
Proficiency in English
An alternative location to record Language information is on the student profile's Extended tab, under the Personal Information banner.
Here you may also wish to record Proficiency in English (although the DfE has not required this data for Census since 2018). This information can be reported on in the student Languages/EAL Report.
Updating in Bulk
If you are recording the First Language in bulk for a number of students, you may choose to go to Admin > Students > Group Updater.
Select the student Year Group and set the Student Attribute to First Language.
From the drop down choose a language to apply to students, and then select the students you wish to assign this First Language to.
Click Update at the base of the student list in order to save the information.
If choosing to use Group Updater, remember to then change the Student Attribute to 'EAL Steps' and apply Step 1 to the students who are EAL.
Please ensure all students with a First Language that is not English has Step 1 applied on their profile, so that your EAL figures are correct.
You can check this in Reporting > Reports >Student (tab) > Languages/EAL.