All teachers working with newly arrived ESL students need practical strategies and immediate access to resources which will help students settle into the classroom, facilitate English language learning and begin a positive and productive learning experience.

Following an enrolment, appropriate information about the student is disseminated with the school community, including administrative staff, prior to the student commencing school.  This may be done by the ESL teacher and / or the enrolling person i.e. Principal or senior staff member.

Preparations then begin for the student to begin school.  The following strategies have been found to be extremely successful in the initial settling in period for newly arrived ESL students.

• Re-introduce the student to teachers and key support people.  Show the staff photo board and talk about the staff – interests, subject areas.
• Ensure the student knows where siblings, other relatives and friends are and where the student can meet them in free time.
• Organise books, personal storage and safety of equipment e.g. lockers, trays.
• Establish a ‘buddy’ system to support the student and to share routines (in the student’s first language if possible) e.g. what happens at recess and lunch, where to find the toilet, bus arrival and departure points, classrooms etc., where to meet parents / carers.  At the college level this may include arranging someone to walk with the student to class for the first few weeks or as necessary.
• Make the student feel secure through developing understanding of school / college rules.
• Model and explain as required appropriate communications e.g. asking for help, saying ‘thank you’, ‘good morning’ etc.
• Ensure that the ESL student has an on site liaison teacher to contact for information or help.