Helping Your Child Become Bilingual Gungahlin Library Saturday 25 February 2017 10.30-11.30am Meredith Box and Mandy Scott

ACT Bilingual Education Alliance (ACTBEA) Local non-profit community group Supports and encourages bilingualism in the Canberra region Members Families with children Language experts and educators Language teachers, tutors and students MEMBERSHIP IS FREE

ACTBEA aims and activities 1. To support the learning of languages through providing information on bilingualism and its benefits how and where languages can be learned in the Canberra area practical advice on how to raise children in more than one language Via our website and also through various events and talks and occasional ACTBEA Updates 2. To facilitates networking between families

A little about You For example: Your language background Ages of your children Why do you want your child/ren to learn the target language? What have you tried so far? What do you hope to get from today’s talk?

How to support your children learning languages See Handout Need planning and commitment It will not always be easy Remember the benefits Useful links http://actbilingual.weebly.com/practical-tips-and-research-findings.html The benefits of bilingualism: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: http://www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research-shows

Benefits of language learning General cognitive and academic benefits Cultural knowledge and intercultural skills necessary for life and work in multicultural Australia country and a global society Personal growth and enjoyment Practical usefulness For children from families where TL is the family/heritage language, maintaining /developing the language is important for ongoing family communication part of cultural identity

International Mother Language Walk 2 017 Upcoming events International Mother Language Walk 2 017 10am Sunday 26 February 2017 Meet under the flags, near the National Library in Canberra Walk across Commonwealth Bridge Sing your other language during the walk, Wear something traditional or colourful, Bring banners, posters or anything else that celebrates your language identity Celebrate the many languages spoken in Canberra Free sausage sizzle and children’s games available at the end of the walk

Languages potluck lunch 11am- 1pm, Sunday 19 March 2017 Upcoming events Languages potluck lunch 11am- 1pm, Sunday 19 March 2017  A networking opportunity organised by ACTBEA where all are welcome to   Meet other families raising children in more than one language Talk to language and literacy educators and experts Have fun and help celebrate Harmony Day and the many languages and cultures of the ACT  VENUE: theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Civic Square Bring your favourite foods and recipes to share                     Free games and fun activities for children in a variety of languages For more details and/or to book: canberrabilingual@gmail.com or 0408 089 235 (m)

Questions? Comments? THANK YOU