Bilingual Program
In 2018, the school trialled a Bilingual Program in Year 1. This program has now been extended to include Years 1 to 6 in 2023. The school is intending to offer 2 classes in every year level in the Bilingual Program in 2024. The Bilingual Program utilizes Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) pedagogical practice and offers children the opportunity to undertake subjects bilingually in Chinese. The Bilingual Program not only offers children the opportunity to become fluent in a second language but also increase their cognitive ability by developing brain plasticity, improved working memory and increased neural pathways. This brain development can also support learning across all other disciplines especially if it begins before the age of eight.
Research has shown that bilingual people have enriched cognitive control and are more likely to have better memory, visual-spatial skills and creativity. The explicit improvement agenda of fostering expert teaching teams and high yield bilingual pedagogical practices has led to engaged, independent, resilient students who are successful learners. The primary goal of the bilingual program at Robertson State School is to develop accelerated learning and improved cognitive ability in our students, rather than just language acquisition.
A bank of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed to give more details about the Bilingual Program. These can be accessed below.
Parent Frequently Asked Questions – Bilingual Program
Bilingual Program – Information
Applications for Entry (AFE) into the Bilingual Program for Year 1 in 2024 open on August 11 for current Prep students. Prep Parents are invited to come to an information session. Please see the details below.
2023 Bilingual Information Session Invite to Prep Parents
Chinese - Mandarin Program
All students learn Chinese from Prep to Year 6, which aims to build a strong foundation in Chinese language skills and intercultural understanding and aligns with the National Curriculum.
The teaching and learning approaches of the Chinese subject focus on developing the students’ four Chinese macro-skills (speaking, reading , listening and writing) and intercultural understanding, and to promote cultural appreciation in language learning. Units of work are collaboratively developed, with direction from the National Curriculum as well as the needs and interests of the students.
Chinese is recognised as an important language for young Australians to learn as Australia progresses towards a future of increased trade and engagement with Asia. Therefore, the ‘Languages and International Programs’ project has been launched at the school since March 2016 to manage future international relations with overseas sister schools and to promote the language program around the school and community.
International Programs
The school has partnered with Education Queensland International to provide opportunities for study tours, sister school exchanges and accreditation of staff.
A sister school agreement has been signed with Zhenjiang Mincheng Primary School in Jiangsu Province and the sister school will visit in 2018 and a return visit to Zhenjiang Mincheng Primary School will generally occur every second year.
The school has also hosted its first study tour where students and teachers from other countries visited the school. Study tours will continue each year.
The International Program is only in its infancy but already it has enriched the lives of our children and brought a global perspective to their learning.
More information will be available in Semester 2