New Arrivals Program

The Federal Government funds the New Arrivals Program to provide intensive English language programs.

The criteria for eligibility is:

• Students who have been in the country for less than 6 months

(preps less than 18 months)

• Students requiring intensive English Language assistance

• Students holding permanent visas

(in some cases, temporary students are eligible to access

this support)

Intensive English language programs cater for a range of students including age-consistent students who have received age-equivalent schooling in their countries of origin and for refugee students and/or Community Detention students who are preliterate or who have experienced severe disruption to their schooling.

Student Background Information

Some students have attended school in other countries with very different learning / teaching approaches.

Other students have not had any schooling at all.

Some students may come to the Language School having experienced trauma and may have witnessed torture and other disturbing experiences.

Some students come from a refugee background and so it is essential to provide a safe, consistent and positive environment in which all children feel a sense of security.There is a period of settlement that

occurs with ESL students and a degree of sensitivity and compassion is needed as students and their families are adjusting to a new life in Australia, and at times, may be separated from a parent and/or siblings.

Some students may come to Australia after years of living unsettled lives in various countries and refugee camps.

Students who have been approved to be placed in community detention while their immigration status is being resolved.

In NMR English language programs are delivered by:

English language schools and their

• Off-site campuses

• Outpost schools

• Visiting teacher programs

In NMR there are also two English language centres at Brunswick and Hume Central that cater for secondary students only.

There is also an Isolated teachers program that caters for students living along the fringe areas of the metropolitan areas

Blackburn ELS 9803 4022 120 Eley RdBurwood East 3151

Primary and Secondary

Collingwood ELS 9419 7633 19 Cambridge StCollingwood 3066

Primary and Secondary

Noble Park ELS 9546 9578 Thomas StNoble Park 3174

Primary and Secondary

Western ELS 9311 9325 46 South RdBraybrook 3019

Primary and Secondary

Hume Central ELC 9309 1488 Belfast StBroadmeadows 3047

Secondary

Brunswick ELC 9380 6889 47 Dawson StBrunswick 3056

Secondary

Glen Eira ELC 9572 5877 76 Booran RdCaulfield 3162

Secondary

Westall ELC 9546 17329546 3233

Rosebank AveClayton South 3169

Secondary

Contact details for the 8 English language schools (ELS) and centres (ELC)

in the metropolitan region. There are also regional centres

Purpose of Language School Programs

To provide intensive English language programs to students with limited or no English so that they can learn English

language skills that will prepare them for mainstream classes

VELS ESL STAGES

ESL Standards Secondary S1, S2, S3, S4

Years 9 & 10

Years 7 & 8

Purpose of Language School Programs

To teach students about Australian culture and the expectations of the Australian education system.

To teach and develop the literacy / language skills necessary for them to participate more effectively in the mainstream.

To foster self-esteem and confidence in order to facilitate the learning of English.

Purpose of Language School Programs

To provide a secure, supportive, inclusive environment which encourages risk- taking

To promote self-esteem and build confidence with the language of English

The CELS Program

Collingwood English Language School (CELS)caters for secondary and primary students mainly in the Northern Metropolitan Region

Some students from theEastern, Western andSouthern Regions alsoattend classes at CELS.

On base there are:

6 secondary classes3 primary classes

Students attendfull-time classes

At CELS, teachers initially assess each student to gauge their English language needs to inform their teaching.

• assists schools to develop an individual/school-based program

for new-arrival ESL students • provides information to schools and parents about

the New Arrivals Program

• ensures schools are aware of the full range of resources

available to them to support newly arrived students, including materials and professional development

Outreach Services Coordinator

Newly arrived students are initially assessed by the Outreach Coordinators to gauge their English language needs.

Schools and families are advised about the optimal program that will cater for particular student needs - either a Base Program, an Outpost Program, a Visiting Teacher Program or a mainstream school-based program.

Outreach Services Coordinator

Collingwood English Language School Outposts

Current Outpost classes are located at:

Preston North East Primary School (1 class)

Thomastown Primary School (2 classes)

Dallas Brooks Community School (2 classes)

Bethal Primary School (1 class)

Lalor Primary School (I class)

Students attend an outpost program four days a week and attend their mainstream class on Wednesday. This helps in the eventual transition process from outpost program to mainstream schooling.

Outpost teachers provide ESL VELS progression points as required for the mainstream class.

Teachers complete transition reports for the mainstream teachers when students exit.

Teachers report to parents using a translated report and at parent teacher reporting afternoons.

Each class has a maximum of 13 students due to student needs and the intensive nature of the program.

A class can have children from P-6.

At the end of each term some students may exit and new students are placed into the program throughout the term. Each term teachers report to parents with interpreters.

Outpost ESL Classes

• Are qualified ESL teachers

• Are employed by Collingwood English Language School

• Have whole school roles and responsibilities at Collingwood ELS

• Teach on Wednesdays at Collingwood ELS

• Collect specialised ESL resources from Collingwood ELS

• Attend meetings at Collingwood ELS every Wednesdays until 5:00 p.m.

• Attend PD at Collingwood ELS

Outpost School Teachers

pen

pencil

textas

computer

scissors

table

chair

rubber

book

sharpener

bag

paper

How we teach

• Students with no English rely heavily on visual aids, clear and simple instructions and repetition.

• Usually language is learnt first through listening and speaking and then reading and writing.

• Lessons are always primarily English lessons with a clear language focus involving structures and grammar.

English is taught in topics to ensure connections between prior knowledge and new language.

• The program involves a great deal of language experience activities such as cooking, excursions, construction, art camp etc. because it helps language acquisition.

• We teach pronunciation through songs and chants. Students are presented with models of standard English in both oral and written forms using a variety of contexts through rhyme, rhythm and repetition.

• The students work in groups and have individual learning plans to cater for the varying levels of English.

• We provide many opportunities for students to practise English in pairs, groups and through games, role plays and language experiences.

How we teach

The Transition Coordinator

• supports the transition of students from Collingwood English Language

School to mainstream schools

• Arranges an Orientation Day for students in their exit term to visit their

new school(Please note: Not all schools offer Orientation Days)

• follows up the students in their mainstream schools once the students

are settled

The Secondary Transition Coordinator

• assists the students and their families with their choice of school

• organises appointments

• assists with enrolments forms

• assists students entering Years 9, 10 and 11 with choosing their elective

subjects

• liaises with the school staff

Important things for parents to do when choosing schools

• Find out if English as a second language (ESL) program is offered

• Obtain a handbook about the school

• Enquire about open days or talk to someone at the school for more information

• Ask about a tour of the school

• Make an interview to see the school registrar

• Ask for an interpreter to attend the interview if needed

• Observe and see if the school seems the right place for their child

Questions?• Anne Joiner- Outreach Services Coordinator - NMR joiner.anne.e@edumail.vic.gov.au

• Kim Kenealy– Outreach Services Coordinator kenealy.kim.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

• Raffaella Marcon – Secondary Transition Coordinator marcon.raeffaella.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

• Juliette Greening – Primary Transition Coordinator greening.juliette.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Collingwood English Language School – 9419 7633