Around 550 children at 16 preschools in Flinders will be given the opportunity to learn a second language this year, thanks to the Turnbull Government’s Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program.
Federal Member for Flinders, The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, said it was encouraging to see to see so many Flinders preschools taking part in the program.
“We know the positive impact learning a second language can have on a child’s engagement and development,” Mr Hunt said.
“Australia’s multiculturalism is a shining example to our countries around the world. Giving our youngest learners the ability to engage with and learn another language will help develop a stronger understanding of the world around them and a life-long interest in language.”
The program, which is backed by $15.7 million in funding from the Turnbull Government, now includes nine languages, with the introduction of Hindi and Modern Greek this year, in addition to Arabic, Mandarin, French, Indonesian, Japanese, Italian, and Spanish.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said more than 80 000 children at almost 2500 preschools across the country will take part in the program.
“The enthusiastic feedback we’ve been getting from educators and parents means this year we’ll have record numbers of children learning a second language in our preschools,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Exposure to another language and culture can have significant benefits on children from a young age – it expands their horizons and opens up exciting opportunities around the world when they reach the workforce.”
ELLA began as a small trial of 41 preschools in 2015 and is a digital, play-based program where preschool children use a series of interactive applications (apps).
It is designed for use by educators who do not have formal language training and offers extensive support, training and resources to assist educators in the effective delivery of early language learning and cultural awareness.
The Turnbull Government has also provided 1,000 support grants of $500 since 2017 to contribute towards the purchase of tablet devices to support participation by preschools in disadvantaged areas.
More details about the program can be found at www.ella.edu.au.