School students may be taught regular school subjects such as science or maths in another language as part of new trials in selected South Australian Schools.

 

Minister for Education and Child Development Grace Portolesi today announced schools will be invited to take part in innovative trials to look at effective ways of boosting the learning of languages other than English in schools.

 

“We know that the number of students studying languages other than English have been in decline over the past 10 years,” she said.

 

“There are incredible benefits to studying languages and that is why I think it’s important this continues to be an option for our students.

 

“The results of these trials will inform the Department’s approach to a new strategy around languages other than English.

 

“Three pilot programs will be conducted in schools in partnership with the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures at the University of South Australia.

 

The three pilots could include models such as:

  • A “one-hour-a-day” language program.
  • A transition program that considers how to best support continuity in language learning for students as they move from primary to high school.
  • A bilingual or “immersion pilot” that will aim to teach students one other subject in another language in addition to their regular language lessons.

“Languages allow us to communicate with other cultures and give our students important skills for future work and study, while also having positive impact on the cognitive and literacy skills of young people,” she said.

 

“Our aim is to look at effective ways to encourage young people to continue learning and developing their language capabilities throughout their school years and beyond.

 

The three targeted pilots will be conducted in schools over three years and will help inform longterm models for developing languages in schools across the state.

 

“The trials will be, led by Associate Professor Angela Scarino and her colleagues from the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures at the University of South Australia in partnership with the participating schools,” she said.

 

 “I encourage schools to apply to be part of the pilots, so we can get information that will help us design a broader languages strategy.

 

“Schools across the three sectors, public, Independent and Catholic, are all invited to be part of the trial and schools can apply individually or as part of a cluster of schools.

 

“Associate Professor Scarino and her team will analyse the findings from the trials before advising me on the developing of a broader approach to the teaching and learning of languages.

 

“We want all our students to experience the benefits of studying a second language and that is why we are committed to developing an approach that is evidence based to ensure this continues to be an option in our schools.”