Main purpose To strengthen the State’s capacity to engage with the Asia region by building expertise in language and cultural learning in selected primary schools.

Strategic importance of Asian languages to NSW The Asia region is our closest neighbour and a major trading partner. Development of students’ proficiency in Asian languages is vital to the future economic and social prosperity of NSW. Building expertise in Asian languages and cultures strengthens the State’s future capacity to engage with the Asia region.

Bilingual Schools Program and NALSSP The Bilingual Schools Program is aligned with the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) NALSSP target: by 2020, at least 12 per cent of students will exit Year 12 with fluency in one of the target Asian languages, double current enrolments for Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Korean $14.18 million to NSW over 2009

Bilingual Schools Program Four government schools to be selected – ideally one school for each of the priority languages of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Indonesian. Students will learn the targeted Asian languages from an early age through language immersion for one and a half hours every school day.

The Program will involve: A mix of direct language teaching and language teaching integrated into selected KLAs A real and sustained language learning environment while maintaining a manageable and balanced primary education program.

Program linkages Information Communication Technologies to link bilingual schools with sister schools in the Asia region Partnerships between bilingual schools and local Asian communities Continuity of language learning assured through the local high school.

Asian languages in NSW schools MandarinJapaneseIndonesianKorean Years K– % background speakers % background speakers % background speakers % background speakers Years Years Year % background speakers % background speakers 76 3% background speakers 90 94% background speakers Year % background speakers 773 4% background speakers 60 18% background speakers 64 94% background speakers * PS data 2008, HS data

Timeline Phased in from 2010, targeting a cohort of students as follows : KinderYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year K – Year K – Year K – Year K – Year K – Year K – Year 6

Program implementation Recruitment and training of above establishment specialist teachers to deliver the program Native speaking volunteers to support the program Appointment of school coordinator to lead the program Liaison with parents and community Professional development for school staff Development of appropriate teaching and learning programs

Support to be provided The selected schools will receive ongoing support from the Curriculum K-12 Directorate including:  Teaching resources and consultancy support  Professional learning for staff and specialist teachers  Further development of community and sister school links

Who can apply? Government primary schools in New South Wales are invited to apply to join the Bilingual Schools Program.

Selection criteria for schools Successful teaching and learning programs in the selected or other language(s) or demonstrated capacity and commitment to implement a program in the selected language Whole staff commitment to the bilingual program and willingness to team teach and to support specialist teachers and volunteers School community support for a bilingual program

Selection criteria for schools (2) Demonstrated or intended partnership with a secondary school to ensure learning pathways for students from primary to secondary schooling

Selection criteria for schools (3) Established relationships or commitment to establishing relationships with the Asian community and/or businesses and with schools in Asia, particularly involving sister school arrangements and the use of information and communication technologies

Steps involved: 1.Consult InPrincipal for information 2.Download application package from ary/languages ary/languages 3.Liaise with school staff, community, School Council and P&C 4.Complete application form addressing all selection criteria 5.Submit application to Julie Flynn, Manager, Languages by 4 September 2009