English as an Additional Language (EAL) Student School Transfer Forms
Supporting students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) during key transitions is essential to ensuring they feel welcomed, included and ready to succeed. Moving to a new school can be a challenging experience for any student, but for EAL learners and their families it can bring additional linguistic, cultural and educational challenges. To address this need, PPLI has developed a suite of transition resources designed to support students, parents and schools throughout the school transfer process.
By strengthening communication between home and school, these materials help families feel more confident and engaged in their child’s educational journey. Most importantly, the resources place the student at the centre of the transition process. They encourage schools to recognise and value students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds, helping young people to build a sense of belonging and confidence in their new environment. Research consistently shows that positive transitions contribute significantly to student wellbeing, engagement and academic achievement, making this an important area of support for schools.
Through these resources, PPLI continues its commitment to promoting inclusive educational practices and supporting schools to meet the diverse needs of multilingual learners. By working together, schools, families and communities can ensure that EAL students not only settle successfully into their new schools but are empowered to thrive and achieve their full potential.
We encourage schools to explore and use them as part of their ongoing efforts to create welcoming, inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students.
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Student Transfer Form – Student
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Student Transfer Form – Outgoing School
English as an Additional Language (EAL) Student Transfer Form – Parents/Guardians
How were these resources developed? – Acknowledgements
These resources were developed with the valuable contribution of Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) teachers working in post-primary schools across Ireland and an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Development Officer from Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB).
The group grew out of PPLI’s Communities of Practice, where teachers expressed an interest in becoming involved in this work. From December 2024 to May 2026, the group worked together with members of the PPLI team, bringing a range of experience, including classroom teaching, teacher training and ESOL expertise.
Over the course of twelve online evening meetings, and through ongoing collaboration between meetings, the group helped identify what resources were needed, reviewed and tested drafts, and provided feedback based on their experience of working with students with English as an Additional Language and multilingual families.
Their practical knowledge and feedback helped shape the resources, ensuring they are relevant to schools while keeping the experiences and needs of EAL students and their families at the centre of the work.
PPLI would like to sincerely thank Maria Acin, Vicky Bouché, Claire Dunlea, Mary Kenny, Emer Marschner, Niamh Martin and Stephanie Nouailhetas for the time, expertise and commitment they gave to this project and for their valuable contribution to the development of these resources.