Better Bilingual

WHO ARE WE?

And what do we do?

Now in our fifth year of collaborating with schools, settings and other partners, Better Bilingual officially became a social enterprise – a community interest company (CIC) – in September 2020; we are proud members of Social Enterprise UK and Voscur, who provide excellent business support.

Working for the benefit of children and young people with English as an Additional Language – and their families – has always been our mission. As Better Bilingual CIC, we plan to expand our education consultancy work and to re-focus our efforts on our local city of Bristol (and around), reinvesting all profits to benefit the community we serve.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s collaborated with us on our journey so far; we look forward to working with you and new collaborators in the future. We encourage you to contact our Director, Catherine Brennan, at catherine@betterbilingual.co.uk if you’d like to discuss partnership working.

Enhancing outcomes for bilingual learners in collaboration with educational settings

meet the team

“It’s actually really refreshing to talk about something that isn’t COVID-related – pupils, school improvement… It’s so wrong but understandable that that’s the thing being pushed further and further back down people’s agendas at the moment. It’s been refreshing – thank you.”

George Lumley – Deputy Headteacher, Victoria College Preparatory School, Jersey

November 2020

“I can’t emphasise enough how useful the webinar was and how brilliant all the ideas shared were. It has sparked so many ideas for us as a team. It was really wonderful to have contributions from so many people across different phases and the wealth of practical ideas and resources shared was truly inspiring. We are looking forward to the next meeting already!”

Claire Jones – Head of Faculty: Languages, Orchard School, Bristol

November 2020

“I recently consulted Catherine Brennan at Better Bilingual about developing an orientation programme for new arrivals – refugee and asylum seeker learners – in local schools. I was impressed by her detailed knowledge and experience and came away from our meetings with a better understanding of the overarching goal of my project and the practical steps I needed to take to reach it. I could not have hoped for more sound advice. “

Dr Alison Holland – Darlington Assistance for Refugees

December 2020

“Catherine answered my call out for EAL specialists who could join our secondary PGCE residential at the University of Buckingham over half-term. Her planning was thoughtful and considered how to differentiate in the classroom but also how to ensure that EAL children feel included, develop a sense of belonging in a different culture and celebrate their backgrounds. The feedback from those who attended was positive on practical strategies she shared”

Hannah Wilson- Head of Secondary Teacher Training at University of Buckingham

“The Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) development plan you put together for us has been invaluable; we have had three new arrivals from abroad this year with limited English, and the materials you guided me towards and the procedures for helping the students to settle have made a real difference. All staff have been given clear guidance about best practice in teaching EAL students and it is having a positive effect. So thank you again!”

Adam Snow, Assistant Headteacher (Student Progress), Gordano School

BETTER BILINGUAL

WHO ARE WE?

Enhancing outcomes for bilingual learners in collaboration with educational settings

meet the team

CATHERINE BRENNAN

STEPHEN BRAY

EVIE DICKINSON

Lucille Charles

Paul Fordham

Chat to one of our educational consultants today

Latest news

How fluent are your pupils in the language of ‘online English’?

‘Language of the Term’ – one school’s experience

Home learning during school closures: A minibeasts project for primary pupils

GUEST BLOG – Caroline Scott – Director, Across Cultures

Young Interpreters Scheme

Funding for pupils with English as an additional language – latest update

South West RIG Meeting

Yasmin’s latest session

Firm Foundations Joining the Dots Conference – EYFS & EAL Workshop

EAL Network meeting BANES, March 2019