From corridor to classroom: building schools where every language belongs
We feel very fortunate as school and department to have the opportunity to work closely with Eowyn Crisfield. Her knowledge about Linguistics and supporting bilingual children is incredible. She truly understands the nature of international schools and its community. Eowyn has helped us lift our practice to the next level, she is truly a bridge between the academic world and every day school reality.
Lara Brugman-Rikers
EAL Coordinator, Mother Tongue Inclusion, International School of The Hague
Linguistic inclusion, whole-school and whole-hearted
In an increasingly globalised world, languages take centre stage, especially in schools. Numbers of bilingual/multilingual learners in national schools are on the rise, and numbers in international schools are at an all-time high.
Schools have increasing complex language requirements that are crucial to meeting the needs of all their learners. The range of language-related programming and training that schools currently need spans the entire spectrum: from language learners (EAL/ELL or other), home languages to host country/foreign language teaching and immersion/bilingual programming. These needs must be addressed across the curriculum, and across the whole school, from reception to secondary school.
Schools have increasing complex language requirements that are crucial to meeting the needs of all their learners. The range of language-related programming and training that schools currently need spans the entire spectrum: from language learners (EAL/ELL or other), home languages to host country/foreign language teaching and immersion/bilingual programming. These needs must be addressed across the curriculum, and across the whole school, from reception to secondary school.
OCME offers the following services designed to improve language provisions across the curriculum:
For all schools
School Audits and Advising
A school audit will provide a critical look at all the language provisions in your school, on three levels: organisation, curriculum and pedagogy.
Creating a Whole-School Languages Department
Bringing all the languages into one department allows for cross-language cooperation, sharing of ideas, co-planning, and cross-disciplinary teaching and learning.
EAL/ELL
OCME provides support for programme evaluation and development, as well as support for classroom teachers in delivering enhanced pedagogy for language learners.
For bilingual and international schools
Immersion/Bilingual programmes
OCME can help your school design, evaluate, or redesign a bilingual programme.
Home languages
Home Language tuition is one pathway to this goal, but there are many ways in which schools can promote positive models of bilingualism and encourage all pupils to thrive because of their languages rather than in spite of their languages.
Translanguaging
OCME has been at the forefront in the field of translanguaging, developing bespoke training on translanguaging since 2012, and has developed models to allow for ease of introduction in international schools.
For teachers, staff and the school community
"Every teacher is a language teacher"
A unique professional development programme designed to help teachers acquire the knowledge and skills that are implied when we expect them to be language teachers.
Host country/foreign languages
Targeted professional development for both host country and foreign language teachers in international schools.
Translanguaging
OCME has been at the forefront in the field of translanguaging, developing bespoke training on translanguaging since 2012, and has developed models to allow for ease of introduction in international schools.
Our services for...
All schools
Bilingual and international schools
Teachers, staff and the school community
Research-informed and practice-driven consultancy and courses, created by the leading experts and academics in the field of multilingual education
Over the last twenty years, Dr Eowyn Crisfield has developed an approach to working with international schools that brings about lasting change and creates truly inclusive multilingual environments. Through the Oxford Collaborative, more schools globally can benefit from the transformative impact of her methodology.
“I have brought together a team of trainers and academics who all share the passion for multilingualism in education.”
Dr Eowyn Crisfield
Founder and Director
Oxford Collaborative for Multilingualism in Education
Oxford Collaborative for Multilingualism in Education
Specialist self-study courses in all things multilingual
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