Welcome to CORE HELLO
At CORE Education Trust, we are proud to welcome students from many different countries and cultures. We value all languages and believe that speaking more than one language helps children learn.
OFSTED define English as an Additional Language as follows:
‘English as an additional language (EAL) refers to learners whose first language is not English.
As a response to the growing number of students needing additional support with English proficiency, CORE Hello was created.
What is EAL?
EAL means English as an Additional Language. A child is EAL if:
- They first learned a language other than English.
- They speak another language at home, even if they were born in the UK.
- They speak more than one language.
In 2023–2024, 50% of our students speak English as an additional language, and over 55 languages are spoken in our schools.
What is CORE Hello?
CORE Hello is a special 12-week program to help students learn English quickly and confidently.
- It supports up to 30 students at a time.
- Children are taught by expert teachers.
- Lessons focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Children also learn math’s, science, art, PE, PSHE and more.
- We use bilingual dictionaries, Google Translate and interpreting tools to help learning.
- Students are encouraged to use their first language to support understanding.
We follow the English National Curriculum and use the Bell Foundation’s EAL teaching guidance.
More Than Lessons
We also offer fun and educational trips to:
- Local libraries
- Theatres
- Museums
- Art galleries
- City tours
Our Impact
Since CORE Hello began, over 150 students from more than 30 countries have taken part. They spoke 25 different languages—and now, they all speak English!
Contact
If you would like to find out more, please email Emily Preece (Director of CORE Hello) at [email protected]
Mouhamed, 14, Year 10
Mouhamed came from Italy to live in Birmingham with his family at the start of secondary school. Though he had learned a little English at school in Italy, he struggled to keep up with the pace in lessons and lacked confidence in his spoken English. Mouhamed joined CORE Hello at Easter of year 7.
Because of his underlying knowledge of English, Mouhamed made quick progress and was able to return to Arena Academy after just eight weeks.
“I had basic English, that we had been taught in school, so I knew words and some phrases. But this was not enough to keep up in class and I felt I was getting behind. It was not the subjects I found hard – for example, in maths, when it was just numbers, I was fine. But the teacher’s explanations in other lessons were just too fast, and the written material too complicated for me to properly understand.”
Mouhamed, 14, Year 10
“CORE Hello was really helpful, the teachers broke everything down into small sections, so I could understand it. They went at my speed and did not move on to the next thing until I was really ready. I caught up quickly and I also found it much easier to communicate with other people.”
Mouhamed, 14, Year 10
“CORE Hello was life changing. I feel completely at ease with English now, I can understand everything and I have no issues at school or with my friends. I can enjoy clubs, like the CCF, and I am looking forward to the future – when I hope to study business and data.”
Mouhamed, 14, Year 10
Tanveer, aged 15, year 11
Tanveer came to Birmingham with his parents and younger sister in November 2022. He had never been to the UK before and was extremely excited. The family settled in Birmingham and Tanveer joined Arena Academy. After the Christmas holiday, in January 2023, Tanveer went to CORE Hello. Tanveer has been back at Arena since Easter 2023.
“I was so excited to get off the plane at Heathrow and to see London for the first time. I remember we went to the Tower of London on our second day, and it was incredible.”
Tanveer, aged 15, year 11
“I was happy to start at Arena but it was quite hard because I couldn’t really speak English properly. People tried to help me but I found lessons difficult and I couldn’t understand my teachers. I was a bit sad too, because it wasn’t easy for me to make friends then.”
Tanveer, aged 15, year 11
“CORE Hello was really brilliant. The teachers helped me learn English, so I could keep up in class and understand my homework. As well as listening, they also taught me how to communicate – I became more confident in speaking English, which meant I could make friends.”
Tanveer, aged 15, year 11
“It was still a little hard when I got back from CORE Hello but my English is getting better all the time. I am happier and I am getting ready for my GCSEs. I want to go to college and be an Electrical Engineer when I am older. Now, I try to help other students at CORE Hello to settle in at Arena and their life in Birmingham.”
Tanveer, aged 15, year 11
Commitment
CORE schools are optimistic, ambitious and act with oneness and the CORE Hello programme completely epitomises the values of the trust: collaboration, opportunity, respect and excellence. As a trust, we cherish the richness of difference and are committed to ensuring that all children can thrive in our schools and local communities.
