Language Acquisition
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students have the option to study Chinese, Japanese or French and Spanish is also offered in Year 9. We are currently finding alternative ways for students to study and reinforce understandings in their first language, if not English, and we are incorporating translanguaging pedagogies across classes.
During these lessons, students have the opportunity to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. They learn how to communicate using a range of text types and for a range of purposes in familiar contexts, family, hobbies, daily routine, for example, while also connecting to larger concepts and cultural understandings. At Calamvale, as an IB World School, we value language learning as it develops students' abilities to interact with others while enhancing their linguistic capabilities and building a greater sense of international mindedness.
English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
Students who participate in the English as an Additional Language program, study English 6 times each week. They explore grammatical structures, vocabulary, spelling to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. In addition to this, students study a modified Individuals and Societies program, exploring Australian identity and systems. These include First Fleet, Gold Rush and Government. Through these themes, students investigate poetry, short stories and professional media articles.
There are additional English language support programs in place to ensure students are given as many opportunities as possible to engage and feel successful in all areas of learning and to actively participate in school life.