In NSW primary schools, the study of a language is optional.
Language study allows students to develop communication skills, learn about languages as systems and explore the relationship between language and culture. Students engage with the linguistic and cultural diversity of societies and reflect on their understanding of social interactions.
Mandarin and Korean Languages
The Chinese Mandarin program at Chatswood Public School was initiated in 1995 by Mrs Barker as a LOTE program. The whole class would learn Mandarin but initially only kindergarten and Year 1 students were involved. Gradually the program was extended to the whole school, so Mandarin became the second language in our school. The Korean program started in 2000. Only Korean background students are withdrawn to learn their first language with our Korean teacher, Ms Hwang.
The students in the Mandarin program learn to speak Mandarin as well as to read and write Chinese characters and pinyin. They also learn some Chinese history and culture through their involvement and celebration of two Chinese Festivals: the Dragon Boat Festival and the Moon Festival. A Chinese dance program is also offered to the Year 2 girls to teach them the characteristics of Chinese music and movements.
The students in the Korean program are also involved in the festivals which have become more multicultural as the school is attracting a lot of students from very different cultural backgrounds. The Korean program also offers Korean dance to Year 2 students.
Bilingual Program
We currently run a community language program in Mandarin and Korean at Chatswood Public School and a more intensive English/Korean bilingual program is now operating. For further information you can book in for a school tour that runs every Monday at 9:30a.m.
Chatswood Public School successfully implemented the English/Korean Bilingual program in 2016 to maximise learning at our school. In 2018, there will be five bilingual classes throughout the school where 80% of the students come from a range of different cultural backgrounds and 20% of the students are Korean students. Bilingualism is proven to develop and improve cognitive and academic skills and help students to develop skills necessary for problem solving and innovative thinking. It is anticipated that there will be a bilingual stream that runs from K-6 involving over 200 students. Through the use of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities, students are growing to become bilingual learners through subject-oriented teaching, real world applications and innovative learning. The bilingual program has helped students to develop flexible thinking and problem solving skills. It has increased the number of bilingual/multilingual students at Chatswood Public School. It has also had a significant impact on our students’ understanding of the world around them, which is growing them to become global citizens in the 21st century.
Students in the bilingual program have been achieving great results in both English and Korean. We align our teaching to the NSW Syllabus outcomes covering the Key Learning Areas of Mathematics, Science, History/Geography, Creative Arts in Korean to make learning relevant. Students are immersed in English and Korean lessons every day covering all subjects. They also receive intensive Korean lessons once a week by joining the buddy bilingual classes through team teaching. During these lessons, students learn about the technical aspects of the language of reading and writing and introduce them to new vocabulary and phrases through songs and interactive activities. Students are also involved in cultural experiences through participating in cultural activities, integrating Korean literacy, culture, traditional games and visiting the Korean Cultural Centre every year.
This program runs from Kindergarten to Year 6. The program follows the NSW syllabus outcomes, learning the technicalities of Korean language and immersing in the culture throughout their time at Chatswood Public School. Parents are supported and involved in their child’s bilingual education through homework activities that correspond to their learning at school that week and audio files are sent weekly to help with pronunciation and learning words and phrases together. There is also a YouTube channel where different Korean phrases and songs are posted. There is also a strong network of parents involved in the bilingual program that support the group.
You can view videos of the bilingual classes currently running at Chatswood Public School on YouTube.
Documents for the Chatswood Public School Bilingual Program: