Resources
ESL learners with disrupted schooling
ESL students with disrupted schooling may have had little or no education comparable to the Australian experience. They may have little understanding of school organisation or expectations. They are often new to literacy and need considerable support.
Resources for assisting schools to meet the needs of students with disrupted schooling are outlined below.
- Moving in new directions – Literacy strategies for ESL learners with disrupted schooling (video)
- Meeting the needs of secondary ESL learners with disrupted schooling – Planning bridging programs
Moving in new directions – Literacy strategies for ESL learners with disrupted schooling (video)
The video informs teachers about the backgrounds of learners with disrupted schooling and how this may affect their social and academic behaviour. The program also informs administrators about a whole school approach to meet the needs of these learners.
This video is also available for purchase from the Languages and Multicultural Resources Centre (LMERC). For mail orders see Order form for ESL, Multicultural Education and LOTE materials (Word)
Professional development material to accompany the video is available: Moving in New Directions: Strategies for meeting the needs of ESL learners with disrupted schooling - PD & Training (PDF - 174Kb)
Meeting the needs of secondary ESL learners with disrupted schooling – Planning bridging programs
Many refugee and Special Humanitarian Program entrant students have experienced significant interruption to their education, or have had little or no schooling prior to arriving in Australia. They face significant challenges in continuing their education in a new and unfamiliar environment. This is particularly the case when students leave an English language school or centre and enrol in a mainstream secondary school.
Some schools have established transition or bridging programs to assist students exiting from ELS/ELCs. Guidelines have been provided to assist schools in the development of these programs. The guidelines will also provide useful information for schools developing other programs for students with disrupted schooling.