• 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 and late immersion programmes,  resource  and
teaching materials development.