Languages Action Alliance: Lingo » Young People

How to activate language learning outside the home: tips to make a difference

BrigitteL — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:13:57 +0000

For those not able to attend the recent RUMACCC (University of Melbourne) seminar on raising bilingual children, the link below will take you to the handouts for the sessions on what parents can do to encourage language learning beyond the home, for their children and community alike.

http://www.rumaccc.unimelb.edu.au/schools/how.html

Mandarin mandarin Bilingual Centre

acsso — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:12:04 +0000

Mandarin mandarin Bilingual Centre’s program is specially designed to meet the second language acquisition needs of both preschoolers and primary school Mandarin learners.

Our classes are small with 5-6 children per class and divided into 4 age groups. Classes are held in a home like environment with beautiful surroundings to make your child comfortable and ready to learn.

Your child will have lots of fun learning Mandarin in a great atmosphere where they will be immersed in the Mandarin language.

Mandarin mandarin Bilingual Centre is located at 783 Bourke St, Redfern NSW, Australia 2016.

Read more at http://www.mandarinmandarin.com/.

German Bilingual Scout Group starts up

acsso — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:23:10 +0000

Camping, canoeing, roasting marshmallows, go-karting, baking, having adventures and making friends sounds like every child’s dream. The boys and girls of Canberra’s newest Scout group will be doing all this and more, all in the German language.

The German Australian Pfadfinder Scout Group will take children aged 6 and up, and will be accessible to north and south side families as their Scout Hall is in Turner. Pfadfinder is the German word for Scout and it literally means “path finder”.

“We’re very excited to be starting up this bilingual Scout group this year. 2008 is the Year of the Scout, and it is also the International Year of Languages, so it is very appropriate,” said ACT Scouts’ Chief Commissioner, Mr Neville Tomkins.

Group Leader Lisa Stephan said, “The new Scout Group builds on existing children’s German language groups, including a playgroup for 0-5 year olds and the German Australian Playschool for 3-5 year olds. With the new Scout group, Canberra can now cater for people from birth to adulthood looking for fun and educational activities in German.”

“My aim is to have the kids begging to go to Joeys, Cubs and Scouts every week, as they will be having so much fun!” said Leader, Jens Stephan.

The group’s scarf colours will be red and yellow. Many scouts in Germany have yellow scarves; and red is the common colour which appears on the flags of Australia and the German speaking nations, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The Group is non-religious and is open to children from all spiritual traditions. Its aim is to develop children’s self-confidence, practical skills and values which will help them make an ongoing positive contribution to their community.

There is a pre-Scouting group for 5 year olds, who attend Scout nights with their parents and enjoy the exciting program too.

Families wishing to add their child’s name to the lists for 2009, 2010 or 2011 should contact Lisa Stephan on 6251 7743 or spielwelt@homemail.com.au