1. Helping Your Child Become Bilingual
Gungahlin Library
Saturday 25 February am
Meredith Box and Mandy Scott

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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?

5. How to support your children learning languages
See Handout
Need planning and commitment
It will not always be easy
Remember the benefits
Useful links
The benefits of bilingualism: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages:

6. 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

7. International Mother Language Walk 2 017
Upcoming events
International Mother Language Walk
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

8. 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: (m)

9. Questions?
Comments?
THANK YOU