• Semester 1 (Day)
• Semester 1 (External)
• Semester 2 (External)

Synopsis

Since  the  early 80's in Australia, a number of schools  in  various
states and territories have begun experimenting with the teaching  of
content  areas  such as Mathematics, Science, Social  Sciences,  etc.
through  a  second language.  In most cases the teachers within  such
bilingual  or immersion programmes have had very little knowledge  of
the   theories  and  methodologies  appropriate  to  such   teaching.
Although  such  teaching has existed overseas for some  decades,  the
concept  is  still  relatively new to Australia  and  practising  and
potential  teachers have not been able to obtain  any  extensive  and
intensive  professional development as no tertiary institution  until
now  has  offered  a unit specifically targeting the  needs  of  such
individuals.

The  unit  will introduce the  students to the concept  of  immersion
teaching, its historical roots in various countries, bilingualism and
cognitive development, the results of international research into the
effectiveness  of  immersion,  appropriate  teaching  strategies  and
methodologies  and how they can be used for particular content  areas
and  age  levels, early, middle  and late immersion  programmes, plus
resource and teaching materials development.