EAL Support Specialist

The EAL Specialist supports the academic language development of students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) through targeted instruction and collaborative planning with classroom teachers. The role focuses on accelerating English proficiency to ensure access to grade-level content, improve reading comprehension, and promote overall student achievement. EAL Support will undertake a variety of tasks related to learning support in conjunction, and as directed by, the Assistant Director of EAL & Literacy. These include but are not limited to providing push-in and pull out support for English language learners; co-planning and co-teaching with content teachers to support language development; EAL assessment, data analysis, and progress monitoring; and intervention classes.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver direct language instruction through both push-in and pull-out support models aligned with student language proficiency levels.
• Collaborate with classroom and subject-area teachers to co-plan and co-teach lessons that include language scaffolds, differentiation strategies, and content accessibility.
• Administer, score, and interpret WIDA assessments (e.g., Screener, MODEL, ACCESS) and use results to design individualized language support plans.
• Monitor and document ELL student progress using formative data, teacher observations, and language benchmarks to inform instruction.
• Develop and facilitate intervention sessions for students requiring intensive language support in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Provide targeted reading intervention support to students struggling with phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension, using evidence-based instructional practices.
• Participate in Child Study Team or Student Support Team meetings as needed to advocate for multilingual learners.
• Communicate regularly with parents, counselors, and other stakeholders while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Attend faculty meetings, participate in professional development, and serve on committees relevant to student support and EAL programming.
• Support the implementation of the school’s inclusion and EAL policies and uphold GEMS Education’s standards of excellence and core values.
• Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the GEMS Core Values.
• Work with the English as an Additional Language and Literacy team and classroom teachers to identify students requiring further EAL assessment.
• Ensure the GEMS policies, procedures, and codes of conduct are followed at all times.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on committees as required.
• Perform other duties as requested by line managers / supervisors.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.