English as an Additional Language

Support and Statistics

Changing Terminology from ESL to EAL ( 11 KB)
Manitoba is implementing a change from using the term English as a Second Language (ESL) programming to English as an Additional Language (EAL) programming. Both terms (ESL and EAL) are used interchangeably on this website during the transition period.

Adult English as an Additional Language programs are funded and coordinated by Manitoba Labour and Immigration, Adult Language Training Branch. Contact them for information on programs, English language assessments, and teacher support materials.

Background

English as an additional language support was first introduced in 1981. It was called Immigrant Student Support and was designed to enhance English language development programming for immigrant students.

Since that time, eligibility has been expanded to address the needs of other students with limited proficiency in English. In 1986, Canadian students who have not attended school in Canada, Canadian-born students enrolled in K to 2 who have come from homes where neither English nor French are usually spoken, and Hutterian students in K to 2 also became eligible for support. In 1991, ESL support for students with limited proficiency in English was extended to qualifying student in Français and French Immersion programs. A separate funding program exists that specifically addresses the needs of Aboriginal students — Aboriginal Academic Achievement Grant (AAA). Students may be eligible for either the ESL or AAA support but not both.

Enhanced Support for EAL Programming

Guidelines for the Intensive Newcomer Support (INS) Grant (2006-2007)
EAL funding enhancements announced on January 26, 2006 included the introduction of a new Intensive Newcomer Support Grant. The intent of the new grant is to help school divisions develop specialized programming for newcomer youth in Grades 6 to Senior 4 from war-affected or refugee backgrounds with EAL and literacy needs as a result of significantly disrupted schooling.

In March 2006, a letter and information package detailing the process for applying for project funding and the Guidelines for the Intensive Newcomer Support (INS) Grant (2006-2007) was sent to all school divisions. As a result, 10 divisional projects will be funded in 2006-2007 through this grant.

Programming and initiatives eligible for the INS Grant support must:

• be divisionally coordinated and supported and demonstrated that the school division has a plan and a program model that is supported by research and appropriate practices
• be specifically designed for EAL newcomer learners who may be at risk of educational failure or of dropping out of school and who:
• have been appropriately assessed and have been identified as being newcomer students of refugee/war-affected background who have been in Manitoba or Canadian schools for two years or less and are at a beginning or low intermediate level of English learning, and;
• are significantly below the essential language and academic skills required for an age appropriate placement, because of weak academic skills and limited formal education, and;
• have little or no English or first language support skills.

Guidelines for the English as an Additional Language Support Grant (2006-2007)
On January 26, 2006, the Minister of Education, Citizenship and Youth announced a significant restructuring and strengthening of English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for the 2006-2007 school year. As a result of the restructuring and funding, an additional $1.7 million will be available to schools through the English as an Additional Language Support Grant. The restructuring of the EAL Support Grant extends eligibility to four years and increases funding available in a student's first year of EAL programming. Previously, students in Grades 1 to 8 were eligible for only two years of funding, and students in Senior Years were eligible for three years of funding.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support is available for pupils with limited proficiency in the English language who are receiving EAL curriculum, instruction and related services on September 30, 2006. Funding will be provided for a maximum of four consecutive years (previously students were eligible for two years of support in grades 1 to 8 and three years of support in Grades 9 to 12.

Support rates per eligible F.T.E. pupil receiving EAL support are:

Year 1 of EAL Programming	Year 2 of EAL Programming	Year 3 of EAL Programming	Year 4 of EAL Programming
$775	$750	$750	$600

These new guidelines provide direction for the planning and implementation of EAL programming and services. It is important that school divisions and schools review their current EAL policies, programming, and services as an initial step in EAL planning. Key areas to address include:

• documenting and implementing divisional and school EAL policies, protocols, and procedures for the effective identification, assessment, and ongoing monitoring of EAL learners
• ensuring that EAL Support Grant resources are directed towards appropriate EAL programming and supports for learners at different stages of EAL development

To assist school divisions and schools in implementing the new guidelines and other EAL initiatives, the Department will offer professional learning opportunities in the 2006-2007 school year. In addition, divisional consultations and visits are planned to allow for gathering of information, identification of successes, and tracking of local developments in EAL programming and initiatives.

For information on the EAL Support Grant for specific school years, see:

Funding of Schools 2008/2009 School Year

Funding of Schools 2007/2008 School Year

EAL Statistics

The number of students that are eligible for the EAL Support Grant each year varies according to a number of demographic factors and immigration trends. While EAL learners are spread throughout the province, the majority may be found in urban centres. In the 2004-2005 school year approximately 60% of all EAL learners were residing in Winnipeg. In addition, approximately 400 public schools reported students eligible for EAL support. The statistics below provide an overview of EAL learners reported over the last two decades.

Eligible EAL Learners and EAL Support Trends

Year	1991-1992	1999-2000	2000-2001	2003-2004	2004-2005	2005-2006
Number of Students	3,365.3 FTE	3,759.8 FTE	3,756.5 FTE	5, 022 FTE	5,508 FTE	5,809.3 FTE
Total Funding	$2,221,098	$2,481,468	$2,479,290	$3,515,400	$3,993,306	$4,356,939

Note: FTE is an abbreviation for full time equivalent. Students registered in Kindergarten, French Immersion, and Français schools count as .5 FTE.