We live in a culturally diverse society where English is not
the only language spoken within the home. The diversity of languages in our
communities can inhibit learning in our schools if the proper resources and
knowledge are not available.
There have been a growing number of migrant refugees that
have been placing demands on resources for ESL students in schools. As schools are acquiring more ESL students,
ESL teachers are being transferred to these schools where the demands are
high. Due to these teacher’s
resources being used on more challenging schools, other ESL students compromise
their most important tool that will give them the opportunity to succeed and
flourish. (lack of funds). The
Government has to provide more ESL teachers to these students so they can gain
the knowledge to integrate into the mainstream schools and community. By providing these teachers it also
helps the mainstream students as ESL students can be distractive and therefore
impose on their learning experiences not only the ESL student’s learning.
A study was conducted outlining that the “NSW schooling
system were increasingly culturally segregated.”(James Ruse) The study revealed that students who
spoke a language background other than English dominated a number of selective
schools that were highly ranked in the education system. These students were predominately from
Chinese background students. The
study also found that the exclusive private schools had little diversity in the
number of student’s culture. Those parents sending their children to these
prestige private schools in order to escape difference. Wanted their child to
be associated with other student’s of the same or similar traits and
backgrounds, rather than integrate with others who are different from
them.
Funding is an integral part of the ESL program. In order for it to function effectively
there needs to be means as to where these programs are required and more ESL
teachers trained and employed.
This will however take pressure off the current ESL students, teachers
and current mainstream schools and students. The New South Wales Department of
Education has stated that there will funding available to ESL students in their
ongoing support as of 2014.(ABC)
The Education Department is planning to give New South Wales public
schools more power so that decisions can be made that will give ESL students
more support and opportunity
Programs have to be implemented and teachers trained to
provide the necessary tools and equipment in order to deliver the proper
knowledge and resources. Without
these resources and knowledge, more burden will be put upon our public school’s
resources and students. In this multicultural
diversity community we live in today, it is every child’s right to be able to
access every opportunity they deserve.
Arlington, K. (2011). Lack of funds leaves students lost for
words and teachers at breaking point, The Sydney Morning Herald, 16
September,<http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/lack-of-funds-leaves-students-lost-for-words-and-teachers-at-breaking-point-20110915-1kbx3.html>.
Kozaki, D. (2013). ESL changes threaten education standards,
ABC news, 28 May,<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-28/esl-changes-threaten-education-standards/4718882>.
Tovey, J. (2013). A change in diversity at James Ruse, The
Sydney Morning Herald, 4 August,<http://www.smh.com.au/data-point/a-change-in-diversity-at-james-ruse-20130803-2r65y.html>.
I had the opportunity to spend some time at a Marrickville High School, the school also consisted of an intensive English centre. It was remarkable to see how much of a difference there was between ESL students and the regular English speaking students. The intensive English department was separated in their classes; the students would attend lessons such as English, math and art with only students from the intensive English centre. I was astonished at the improvement in English levels. Although, what I found more remarkable was how they engaged with each other as well as with the teacher. They would help each other out and correct each other…at every instance!! Every lesson that I attended, you could literally see them “learning”, it was that clear in their answers and their questions. There wasn’t really a shy student; they interacted with each other so well. I’m not too sure why these group of students seemed to be like a rare species to me, but I when you find a classroom that works so well like that, it is best to create a system that allows them to work together without having to integrate with the rest of school. (Of course, many of these ESL students spent time with ‘regular’ students in the playground). I just think it is important in a classroom setting to create levels of academia, not to degrade students, but help each student at the level of which they are at.
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