Learning Village: Developing EAL, Literacy and Curriculum Access
Learning Village is an award-winning, image-based blended learning programme developed by EAL and Multilingualism specialists at Across Cultures. It supports multilingual learners, including new arrivals and those developing literacy, to build English language skills and participate more confidently in the classroom.
A distinctive approach to learning
The Learning Village Methodology connects five research-informed principles, with assessment and inclusive design running through them all.
- Learning through images – Images provide a starting point for understanding before learners need to read English. Paired with audio, spoken interaction and text, they help learners connect meaning, sound and written language. This means learners can begin learning without sharing a language with their teacher or already being able to read English.
- Immersive English learning – Immersion here means English-rich, not English-only. Learners hear, practise, retrieve and use comprehensible English in meaningful contexts. Their home languages remain valuable resources for activating prior knowledge, checking understanding and communicating ideas; translation supports learning where useful rather than becoming the sole route to meaning.
- Structured and scaffolded language and literacy development – Learners progress with everyday and curriculum language through vocabulary, grammar, phonics, reading, writing and academic language in a gamified age-appropriate learning environment. Explicit modelling, repeated retrieval and scaffolded practice help them move from supported participation towards independence. Spoken English can develop alongside literacy, rather than waiting for reading and writing skills to be established first.
- Flexible and blended teaching and learning – Online independent practice is connected with teacher-supported small-group sessions, targeted interventions, pre-teaching and classroom learning. For example, before a science lesson on habitats, learners might explore images, audio and key vocabulary online, then rehearse explanations with a teacher before applying that language in class. The purpose is not simply to complete activities, but to use new language beyond the programme.
- Research-informed and professionally supported – The approach draws on second-language acquisition, literacy, multimedia learning and scaffolding research, alongside Across Cultures’ founder Caroline Scott’s published work and classroom experience. Training, implementation support and professional development help teachers put the methodology into practice. Technology extends opportunities to practise; teachers make the essential decisions about teaching and progress.
An EAL Specialist and Learning Village member commented: ‘I’ve never encountered a more thoughtfully designed or effective tool than the Learning
Village. Its rich visual and auditory content, research-driven, learner-centred approach and cutting-edge use of technology make it indispensable for accelerating EAL learners’ progress. My students are engaged, their growth is trackable and their experience of the software is always enjoyable. A true masterpiece in design and a must for every EAL educator.’
Assessment that leads to action
Learning Village assessments and progress information help educators identify starting points, select learning pathways and review next steps. The assessment tool, AssessEP provides further evidence of English proficiency across listening, speaking, reading and writing. New AI-supported writing feedback on learners’ writing in English and in their home language can highlight strengths and areas for development, while teachers retain professional oversight.
Learning Village currently supports approximately 20,000 learners each month through around 1,000 educational organisations worldwide. Its central aim is straightforward: to make language learning accessible while helping learners use English meaningfully in classrooms and beyond.
Discover more or book a free trial at: www.learningvillage.net
Find out more about multilingualism
- Join one of our Regional or Special Interest Groups
- Attend the next NALDIC annual conference in November
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