The benefits of learning a language other than English at much earlier ages will be tested as the Federal Government seeks to trial a new online program in early learning centres in 2015.
The program will initially be rolled out in 40 early learning centres and will introduce children to languages that are part of the national curriculum roll out or languages from Australia’s trade partners.
This early exposure test will hopefully back up research that shows learning languages develops children’s overall literacy.
If the trial is successful, the program will be used to provide students with a head start towards language study at school.
It is hoped the program will enable children to become more comfortable with different languages earlier in life so that they stay engaged during their school years.
Greek will be one of the languages available thanks to its inclusion in the national curriculum, and could be used in a number of centres if there is demand.
The trial will be rolled out in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas and will be funded by a $9.8 million contribution by the Federal Coalition.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne says children will be learning via games and will be a way for children to be introduced to new languages naturally.
“Children will have the opportunity to develop recognition of the different sounds and concepts of a foreign language, with the possibility of understanding and reproducing them in a natural medium through games-based learning,” he said.
Mr Pyne wants to see at least 40 per cent of VCE students studying a language in the next ten years and believes introducing languages early will help in that goal.
The proportion of Year 12 students studying a language other than English has dropped from about 40 per cent in the 1960s to around 11 per cent today, according to Mr Pyne.
Parents shouldn’t be afraid that their child’s English development will suffer, as research shows children can easily handle learning more than one language at once and that it in fact helps them with overall literacy.
Early learning becomes a very useful predictor for children, with research showing that children’s literacy and numeracy skills at age 4-5 are a good predictor of academic achievement in primary school.
The software for the trial will include analytical tools to assist teachers and parents with information about children’s use of the product and their progress.
If the trial produces strong results, the government is hoping to roll out the program nationally.
For more information visit www.education.gov.au/early-childhood
