Primary school for non English children

[Lelyk]

Hi all. In several months we are coming in Adelaida. My daughter is 6 years old and it will be time to go to primary school. English is not her mother ton. How could she study? Is it allowed to enroll in a state school children with very little English? Thank you in advance.

[snifter]

Hello and welcome

 

I think schools will make some kind of provision for this, plus your daughter will soon pick up the language. There are lots of kids in school here whose native language is not English. I'd ensure you find the right school asap and be prepared to take the tours, talk to principals and let your daughter see the schools also. She can do taster sessions to see how she gets on if you plan to enrol. Shop around, like anything, there are good and not so good out there.

 

I have known children attend schools in other countries without speaking the native language and within a few months were really getting to grips with things and speaking/reading/writing it well. They adapt far better than we do.

 

I'd also make an effort to start using English more at home if you don't already. Make it a fun thing, read simple story books to her, if you are able, try to get your child to understand the English alphabet and so on. Simple things kids will be doing when they start school in reception.

 

There is also this

 

https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-skills-and-learning/student-categories/international-students-in-south-australia/minimal-english

 

But definately talk to the schools that appeal and see what things they have in place for kids with English as a second language.

[NicF]

What language does she speak? Some schools have special programs for kids that speak particular languages - the school my kids go to have programs for kids who speak Italian or Korean at home. Many schools are experienced at dealing with children who do not speak English as their first language and it should just be a case of finding the right one for your daughter.

[Kingpin]

Hi

 

I believe Bellevue Heights Primary has provision for this. They have an intensive English language centre for new arrivals. See their website for details.

 

 

http://www.bellevueps.sa.edu.au/new_arrivals.htm

 

 

hth

 

Sarah

[Lelyk]

Dear Sarah, Robert, NicF and Kingpin,

I am really happy to see people who are ready to give a good advice! Thank you a lot. You clarified me the situation. I see that the problem can be solved. I`ll start from English cartoons and then find an appropriate school in Adelaide.

A lot of thanks, Aleksey

[Lazy Cow]

My daughter is 6 years old and it will be time to go to primary school. English is not her mother ton. How could she study? Is it allowed to enroll in a state school children with very little English?

 

Hi,

 

There are lots of kids here who do not have English as a first language. Schools have special programs in place for students who qualify as EALD or ELS students.

 

EALD stands for English as an Additional Language or Dialect.

ELS for English as a Second Language.

 

Schools can offer an intensive language program for new arrivals, and there are some primary schools which specialise in this, scattered over the Adelaide area.

 

To ensure you get the best for your daughter, I would contact :

 

Erika.VonAspern@sa.gov.au

 

as she is the manager for the New Arrivals Program for EALD/ELS kids, so should be able to advise (and reassure!) you.

 

I wouldn't worry. Get some extra funding / help in place for your daughter (it will help not only with teaching her more of the language, but also should make sure her reports / grades reflect that English is not her mother tongue so is really useful). Then wait as she makes friends with heaps of kids, starts talking in English - probably with an Australian accent - and starts teaching you!

 

I don't know whether you want her to develop the language she uses with you, but there are a fair few nationalities here that get together to offer support, and sometimes out-of-school language classes. Just try googling your nationality + community + in Adelaide.

 

I just tried doing that and found:

 

http://www.internations.org

 

which seems a good website to have a look at.

 

I hope all that makes sense!

Oh, and welcome to the site

 

LC

[cliffy]

My daughter lives in a country where English is not the first language and their father's family speaks little English. However, the boys are both fluent in English as well, and she insists this is because of their exposure to English speaking childrens DVD's (mostly sent by me) and childrens TV programmes. They pick up language very quickly and also Aussie expressions from Playschool!!!!

[talentedali]

Thank you very much for useful information. We are planning to move in Jan 2015. Our kids (non-native english speakers) go to a school where british curriculum is taught. I will appreciate if some one guide me regarding the ELS/EALD programs. The schools refer to these programs after child interview or should we contact and get registration for these programs before our arrival?

 

Thank you

 

Regards