ESL need outstrips teacher allocation
By Penny Carosi
A Federation survey has revealed a shortfall in ESL teaching staff to meet the identified needs of students.
By November 4, Federation had received ESL survey returns from 430 schools. Of these, 274 schools identified a gap between their 2006 allocation and what would be the minimum requirement to adequately meet the needs of ESL students.
These schools have indicated a shortfall in full time equivalent ESL teaching staff of 175.7 positions. Some schools noted that the 1:110 ESL teacher:student ratio in 2002 will in fact become 1:160 in 2006. Clearly, the need for additional ESL positions has increased each year beyond the 100 positions identified by Professor Tony Vinson in 2003.
254 schools have provided details to NSW Education Minister Carmel Tebbutt, Federal Education Minister Brendan Nelson, their local state and federal MPs and Federation, of what they would do with a more adequate ESL teacher allocation.
Survey results indicated schools with an increase allocation would:
provide specialist ESL tuition to students currently receiving little or none
assist students to access the curriculum across key learning areas by team teaching
support classroom teachers in language learning techniques and use of the ESL scales
provide specialist intensive ESL tuition to newly arrived/newly enrolled students, including those with disrupted educational backgrounds
provide welfare assistance and advice to ESL students and their families
provide adequate specialist ESL support for HSC students
provide specialist ESL support/tuition for intellectually mild/intellectually moderate (IM/IO) students, students with learning difficulties and Aboriginal students as appropriate
provide intensive specialist ESL tuition for survivors of torture and trauma for longer periods of time
provide ESL tuition for international and temporary resident children
provide ESL tuition for gifted and talented children to allow them to reach their potential.
Federation Officers wish to thank those members who participated in the survey. The findings will be tabled at the Director-General's Advisory Group on Multicultural Education and Training.
Members who are willing to take action about the continuously worsening situation at their school should contact their Organiser or Penny Carosi on (02) 9217 2100.
Penny Carosi is the Multicultural Officer/Organiser (Post School Education).
For further information
November 2005 contents
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