New to English language

[Bob Bibb]

Do you know if any allowance is made in the 11-plus for those who have only been learning English, as an additional language, for a couple of years? Thanks for your help.

[PettswoodFiona]

I don’t believe there are any allowances. Not in any of regions I know and I haven’t seen it come up on the forum before. Unfair as it may seem I suspect it would be near impossible to measure and adjust for and check the veracity of anyone for whom English was not a first language.

[kenyancowgirl]

Agree with FP. However, I believe there has been cases where this (with evidence) has been presented as effectively an extenuating circumstance (in addition to the requisite academic evidence) for an appeal case.

[salsa]

I think you should ask the council as added time is allowed for non natives when taking their GCSEs.

Salsa

[solimum]

There is an extremely complicated document giving all the details of "Special considerations" for GCSE and other exams https://www.jcq.org.uk/exams-office/acc ... dance/acce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Section 5.18 is about the use of bilingual translation dictionaries and (in some strictly defined circumstances) 10% extra time for those whose first language is not English and have been in the UK less than 3 years. A selection of the guidance is below:

Extra time must only be awarded by the EAL Co-ordinator or the SENCo where all
of the following exist:
• the candidate’s first language is not English, Irish or Welsh;
• the candidate entered the United Kingdom within three years of the
examination(s) with no prior knowledge of the English Language;
• English is not one of the languages spoken in the family home;
• prior to their arrival in the United Kingdom the candidate was not educated
in an International school where some or the entire curriculum was delivered in
English;
• prior to their arrival in the United Kingdom the candidate was not prepared
for or entered for IGCSE qualifications where the question papers were set in
English;
• prior to their arrival in the United Kingdom the candidate was not prepared in
English for other qualifications, e.g. IELTS qualifications, Preliminary English Tests;
• the candidate has to refer to the bilingual translation dictionary so often that
examination time is used for this purpose, delaying the answering of questions;
• the provision of 10% extra time reflects the candidate’s usual way of working with
the dictionary. (A definition of normal way of working is provided within
section 4.2.5, page 17.)
The evidence compiled by the EAL Co-ordinator or the SENCo must confirm all of
the above.
5.18.8 Extra time must not be awarded to a candidate using a bilingual translation
dictionary in order to compensate for difficulties in reading and writing in
Engl