Anne Davidson

Principal, Footscray City College, Victoria, Australia

Christos Tsiatis

Moreland City College-LOTE Coordinator

Practising Multiculturalism in Schools- an Australian Perspective

Abstract

Post-war migration to Australia, permanently changed Australian society and had a massive impact on the education system. Particularly in urban areas, the areas of heaviest migrant population, teachers were forced to experiment and develop methods of teaching English to a cohort that was not native-born. The 'sink or swim' practices of the past would no longer suffice. Schools developed E.S.L. programmes, commenced bi-lingual education programmes and many introduced 'community language' teaching. Teacher attitudes changed and the above practices and ensuing benefits to the learner caused the realisation that their 'Anglo' students needed to be exposed to LOTE and Language Across the Curriculum.

Tertiary institutions and education bureaucracies THEN encouraged and developed accredited programmes. More progressive and socially aware schools encouraged the formation of 'ethnic parents' associations thus ensuring their participation in school life unhampered by their lack of English language. Interpreters were used at all school functions. Culturally inclusive curriculum was developed ensuring the valuing by all of a non-Anglo past. Schools, therefore, by default, practised multiculturalism well before Federal or State Governments had even realised the need to develop policies.

Bionote

Principal- Footscray City College, formerly Principal of Moreland City College and Brunswick Technical School - all schools in inner- urban Melbourne. Over 20 years experience as an administrator. Member of Committee for the Promotion of Modern Greek in Government Schools.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests


Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Australia