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ESL Indigenous project
To visit the ESL Indigenous project website, click here
Research Proposal
The outcome of work following the release of the research
material and articles is to improve the educational outcomes
of Indigenous students, specifically in literacy.
Together with this, is the awareness that in identifying practices
which enhance standard Australian English acquisition, support
of the first or home language of the student is a factor.
The focus of the research - Stage One
Questions which will direct the research will focus on the ways in which
support for a student's home language or first language can
enhance the uptake of standard English. The first stage of
the proposed project, a short research paper, will provide
information in clear language about the principles of second
language acquisition, and the factors which have been shown
through research to support effective language learning. This
will be directed to educators in all areas and sectors, and
will inform them of current knowledge as well as provide a
focus for discussion about implications in their sector for
Indigenous students for whom standard Australian English is
not their first or home language..
The
paper will be titled:
'Issues in English language and literacy development and
home language support.'
The
paper will be written with reference to research conducted
by others and will provide something of a position paper for
discussion .
The focus of the research - Stage Two
The follow on from the research paper will be a number of
documented case studies, which explore the issues identified
in the paper, and provide examples and models of practice
and experience. Three sites in South Australia have already
been identified, and if sufficient support for the research
proposal is found, additional sites in other states could
be included.
The
research done through the case studies will focus on a number
of key questions
- What
home language or first language does the student engage
in?
- What
level of proficiency does the student have in standard Australian
English ?
- What
support exists in the school for the support of the home
or first language of the student?
- Are
links made between the home language and the language of
the classroom in teaching?
- What
could be done to enhance standard Australian English acquisition?
- What
could be done to increase competence in the student's first
or home language?
The
outcomes of the case studies will be to provide models and
suggestions for school practices which will focus on enhancing
the student's literacy in English as well as acknowledging
their first or home language.
The
level of practical support for the maintenance of the first
or home language will be an issue which will need to be explored
by each educational sector.
A third research component - Stage Three.
An
additional research component which could be undertaken if
sufficient resourcing is accessed would be to focus on a closer
examination and description of what ESL strategies support
effective English language acquisition by Indigenous students
whose first language and home language is not standard Australian
English.
This
would significantly enhance the outcomes of the seminars and
workshops which would occur nationally through links between
the state associations of ACTA and professional educator associations
with which they would link for delivery.
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