Page 36 - Languages Victoria December 2019

Languages Victoria
Numeracy Portal. In these focus groups, teachers discussed how they plan carefully to ensure the content is appropriate, the language accessible and the activities cognitively- challenging so that high quality learning is taking place and therefore maintaining high levels of student motivation and engagement in their particular subject area.
Reflecting on the discussions with other teachers using the CLIL approach to teach PE, Ivan Chan identified a common challenge was supporting students to retain and use the target language, particularly when the lessons are very active and may not involve a lot of speaking (in any language). Art teacher, Angeline Siow, shared how she encourages students to use the target language in her Art lessons by connecting activities with literacy genres such as manuals, instructions, or recounts. This builds in a requirement for students to use the target language to reflect on or explain their artworks or art practices. An experienced CLIL practitioner and languages consultant, Linton Roe challenged all participants to think about how to also maximise both teachers’ and students’ use of the target language beyond the classroom.
This MLTAV CLIL Network Workshop was a great opportunity to observe and share in the exciting developments in the Chinese ELP at Wesley College and to network with other CLIL practitioners to both inspire and be inspired by like-minded colleagues.
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) at Wesley College:
When a language lesson isn’t just about the language....
Wesley College was established 152 years ago and has a world-renowned reputation in offering a high quality IB program. The school is committed to the growth of its students and takes an innovative approach to learning. Through a strategic planning process a number of years ago, a vision was set in place to begin a revolutionary journey for the teaching of languages in the Primary Years Program (PYP). Wesley is now using the CLIL approach in its Chinese ELP across the learning communities on all 3 campuses. At the Elsternwick Campus, the ELP is now in its fourth year. The program integrates students’ Chinese language learning with their learning in areas such as the arts, languages, mathematics, science, social studies and technology, as well as their personal, social, spiritual and physical education.
The ELP Coordinator from Wesley College Institute, Debbie Tai, shared her experience of working with the team. Challenges aside, the teachers know that the program they have worked so hard on is definitely sparking joy amongst the students. This can be seen in the reflections of Year 3 student Sophia Katsier when speaking about her Chinese ELP teacher, ‘She’s teaching hard stuff, but in an easy way!’ With a twinkle in her eye, she
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