EAL/D Parent Information Who are our EAL/D learners? EAL/D students are those whose first language is a language or dialect other than English and who require additional support to assist them to develop proficiency in Standard (SAE). These students may include:

Aboriginal and Immigrants to and temporary Islander backgrounds visa holders from non-English speaking

Students with Maori or Pacific Islander Students with a backgrounds refugee background

Australian citizens or Students of Australian residents returning from South Sea islander abroad having lived for background extended periods of time in countries where their schooling was not in English

Children born in Australia of migrant heritage where Children of deaf adults who use English is not spoken at home as their first language

International students from non-English speaking countries

Not all students from these backgrounds will require additional support to meet the curriculum expectations for their age cohort.

Our school is rich in linguistic diversity from Local Aboriginal dialects to International languages with over 40 valued and spoken.

We need to understand your student’s language skills as a foundation for their literacy development and engagement with the curriculum.

Our English Other Language (EAL/D) classes promote:

Self awareness of language and literacy skills Monitoring of language development Intensive teaching for beginners Independence Intentional and explicit teaching of Standard Australian English High Expectations Setting Goals

When schools know students speak other languages they can support students in engaging in their learning to reach their educational potential.

The information on these questions allows for the right support for your student.

Some of the languages spoken in the region today

Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages refers to all the languages spoken within Australia prior to colonisation. These languages inform a holistic world view of land, culture and identity, and are linguistically different to English.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creoles and related varieties are languages that have evolved through contact between people who speak different languages. A number of different creole varieties are spoken throughout Southwest . These creoles Cunnamulla, Quilpie may not be officially recognised, but may be referred to in their communities through a range of names such as Murri, Slang, Lingo and Aboriginal English. Many Torres Strait and Charleville areas Islander students speak , now known in the Torres Strait as Yumplatok.

All teachers participate in mandatory cross-cultural training. As a whole school we celebrate our linguistic and culturally diversity through celebrations such as Harmony Day and NAIDOC celebrations.