Helping a child with limited English in the early days at school

A child who is not yet fluent in English on arriving in Australia is a completely normal situation — not a sign of a serious problem or a limit on their ability. Most children pick up a new language far faster than adults, especially when exposed to it consistently in a school environment. The real question is not “can my child learn?” but “how should I support them through this stage?”

What the EAL/D program is and how it works

Most government schools in Australia run an EAL/D program — short for English as an Additional Language or Dialect. It is a specialist language-support program for students learning English as a second language.

EAL/D is not a “remedial class” or a “slow class” — it is a specialist support service designed for students taking on a new language.

Depending on the school, EAL/D can work in two main ways:

• Withdrawal (pull-out): the student is taken out of some lessons to study intensive English with a dedicated EAL/D teacher.
• In-class support: the EAL/D teacher comes into the classroom to support the student during regular lessons.

When you enrol, ask the school which form of EAL/D they use and how your child will be assessed to join the program.

The silent period — don’t worry

Children learning a new language often go through what is called a silent period: they listen and absorb a great deal but are not yet ready to speak. This phase can last from a few weeks to a few months — and it is completely normal.

Don’t push your child to speak or worry if they answer with gestures or very short sentences. Their brain is processing a great deal at once. Progress will come — often suddenly and clearly after the silent period.

What parents can do at home

Read and listen to English regularly. You don’t need a complex study program — regular exposure to English through picture books, cartoons, songs, or age-appropriate audiobooks is enough. Public libraries in Australia are free and have plenty of children’s books.

Don’t give up Vietnamese. Many parents worry that speaking Vietnamese at home will slow their child’s English — this is a misconception. Research consistently shows that bilingualism does not hold back a second language; on the contrary, a strong first-language foundation makes learning a second language easier.

Speaking Vietnamese at home and letting the school do its job is a good strategy — your child learns English at school, and the family helps them keep Vietnamese.

Ease the academic pressure in the early stage. Adjusting to a new environment is tiring enough. If your child comes home exhausted and doesn’t want to study more, that is a normal reaction — not laziness. Make feeling safe and happy the priority first; the academics will follow.

Signs of real progress

Progress in English is not always obvious straight away. Some signs that your child is doing well:

• Your child starts using English at home, even if only single words or short sentences
• Your child understands and follows instructions in English at school without needing a translation
• Your child talks about friends at school by their English names and tells stories about lessons
• Your child starts playing with friends who don’t speak Vietnamese
• The teacher gives positive feedback about your child’s participation in class

If after a long time (usually 6–12 months) your child still shows no clear signs of progress, talk to the EAL/D teacher or class teacher for a closer assessment.

When more support is needed

Not every difficulty with English is purely a language issue. Some children may have learning needs unrelated to language that are masked by the English barrier.

If you are concerned that your child has difficulties beyond learning English — for example, trouble concentrating, difficulty following instructions even in Vietnamese, or slower development than siblings of the same age — talk to the teacher and, if needed, request an assessment from a specialist.

Next steps

For how to talk to the teacher about your child’s progress, see the related guide on communicating with your child’s teacher and preparing for meetings.

If your child shows signs of struggling to fit in, see the guide on the signs to watch for when a child struggles at school.