The Course in Initial EAL is a new course for pre-literate students arriving from conflict zones and refugee camps who have experienced different levels of trauma. While this is a diverse group, many arrive in Australia with severely interrupted education and little or no previous education or learning experiences. These pre-arrival experiences influence their ability to settle in Australia and apply the skills required to learn a new language. These learners need to develop an identity as a learner and establish learning routines. They need to develop basic decoding and encoding skills and handwriting skills such as copying and hand-eye coordination.