Students gain skills in comprehending (listening and
reading), and composing (speaking and writing) Japanese, as well as a better
understanding of English through comparison of the two languages.
Since
1994 our school has maintained a dynamic sister school relationship with
Kamoike Elementary School in Kagoshima, on the southern island of Kyushu in
Japan. As a result, our school has a collection of Japanese teaching resources, and Japanese library books, the envy of
the other schools. These resources help to bring the Japanese program alive,
and contribute to its popularity with the students.
There is also an annual Albany Creek Cluster speaking contest, an opportunity for Year 5s and 6s to showcase their Japanese speaking abilities.
We have two partial bilingual classes in Year
1.
AHSS Year 1 Bilingual Program
The shared under-pinning teaching philosophy of these
classes is that “students may know the joy of learning.”
The same Australian curriculum content will be covered as
other Year 1 classes with the added benefit of learning a language. Parents who would prefer their child not to participate in the bilingual class
may complete an opt out form.
The Year 1 partial bilingual classes are taught by Michael
Curd and Nicki Newmarch.
All classes across the year level have a range and
balance of student needs and abilities. Up to 50 Prep students are chosen to participate, including a range of academic performance, behaviour
and special needs.
Bilingual resources for parents
Click the link below for more information from the Department of Education about the study of languages in Queensland state schools.
The Learning Place
Bilingual Teaching Methodology (CLIL)
Content and language
integrated learning (Clil) explained
CLIL achieves 3 main goals “(i) learning another language (ii) learning subject matter through the
second language and (iii) developing literacy and academic skills in the first
language”. (Lo Bianco, 2009, p 32) Therefore by teaching a school subject
in the second language, students not only grasp curriculum concepts but learn
the language in a more meaningful context as compared to focusing on language
in itself.
CLIL methodology calls upon intricate lesson planning
applying a full range of communicative techniques such as visuals, realia,
songs and hands on activities. Concrete experiences are integral. It’s
important that the student learning styles, interests, cognitive levels and
their process of second language acquisition is regularly evaluated. (Chowan,
1997)
CLIL Benefits to the student
The general benefits of learning a language
include boosting student confidence and cultural competence. According to the
Australian Curriculum, language learning:
- promotes
literacy and communication skills
- strengthens the understanding of the nature of language and culture.
- develops understanding of and respect for diversity and difference
- develops understanding of how culture shapes world views and extends learner’s
understanding of themselves, their own heritage, values, culture and identity
- strengthens intellectual, analytical and reflective capabilities, and enhances
creative and critical thinking. (Advancing Education, 2015) (ACARA
Languages v8.2)
Researchers have found children who are
bilingual
- have
improved literacy skills
- develop
neural pathways to include new grammatical repertoire and display
metalinguistic skills
- display
greater neural activity in respect to memory, attention and language
- develop
mental flexibility
- are
more sensitive in communication with others.
The earlier students start the better.
Researchers generally agree that students who start a language before the age
of 6 or 7 are more likely to speak their second language in a more fluent
manner. This is not only due to brain development but the fact that they are
more willing to take risks with their language learning (Halguneseth 2010)
(Olson Beal 2010).
References
The
Australian Curriculum V8.2 Languages/Rationale
Borreli, L (2016) Brain Scans Reveal Which Networks Help Us
To Learn A Foreign Language, Medicaldaily.com
Canadian Parents for French (2007) Top Ten Answers for Parents
about Immersion Education, The ACIE Newsletter, Vol.10, No. 3
CBC News Feb 08 (2012) Bilingual kids gain benefits in literacy
skills
Chowan, T (1997) Key Concepts of Successful
Immersion, The ACIE Newsletter, Vol 1, No 1
Fleming, M (2007) Top Ten Things I Wish I had Known as an
Immersion Teacher, The ACIE Newsletter,Vol 10 No.3
Fortune, T (2003) What Parents Want to Know About Foreign Language
Immersion Programs, Eric Digest University of Minnesota
Genesse, F (2007) Top Ten Most Consistent Findings from
Research on Foreign Language Immersion, The ACIE Newsletter, Vol 10,No3
Halgunseth, L (2010) How Children Learn a Second Language,
Education.com
Lo Bianco, J (2009) Second Languages and Australian Schooling
ACER, 30-37
Olsen Beal, H (2010) Speaking the Language, The ACIE Newsletter,
Vol 14, No1
QLD GOV (2015) Advancing Education- An action plan for education
in QLD, p11
If you cannot download the document/s linked from this page, please contact us and we will provide a copy via the school office.