Definition

A child who speaks English as an Additional Language can range from beginner in learning English to a very fluent speaker of English. These pupils may also be referred to as bilingual or multilingual. Many children use two or three languages, including English, at home. They may also use a different language in religious contexts.

The government definition of a bilingual/ multilingual learner is that it refers to ‘all pupils who use or have access to more than one language at home or at school – it does not necessarily imply full fluency in both or all languages’ (DfES 2003).