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Impact of Bilingualism in Science. Final Year Project Presentation Marta Caruda M. de C. March 2008. Content:. How to define “bilingual”? Survey: results & observations Solutions: - Pilot project 2003 Summary. Bilingual?. Living in England, learning English and
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Impact of Bilingualism in Science Final Year Project Presentation Marta Caruda M. de C. March 2008
Content: • How to define “bilingual”? • Survey: results & observations • Solutions: - Pilot project 2003 • Summary
Bilingual? Living in England, learning English and using one or more languages. • “Advanced Bilingual Learner” • “Newly arrived to the country” learner >10% have EN as additional language (source: Statistics of Education, 2003)
Do you always understand the language of your Science teacher?
Would you like to become a scientist in the future? • “Waste of time” • “yes..because its interesting” • “[…] it will be hard work and I don’t think that I am not that good in science” • “[No,] because I want to be a barristar more” • “Because you get a headhach” • “You have to teach nought children” • “Experiments are fun!” • “Because it is dangeroes”
Furthermore… • English: 1st language for 35% bil. pupils (but not spoken at home) • Ofsted’s report More Advanced Learners of English as an Additional language in schools and colleges (2003)
Pilot project:January 2004 • Primary National Strategy (PNS) with Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMA) Unit within the DfES • Aim:“increase the confidence and expertise of mainstream primary teachers in meeting the needs of advanced bilingual learners.”
HOW? • Opportunities for speaking & listening • Use 1st language • ‘Talk partners’ • Pre-teaching
Effects of pilot project: • Higher expectations • More confident • Ask more & ‘expect to understand’ • Use home language at school • Be more ‘on task’ & focused
Summary • Ethnic heritage = underachievement • “ “ = know different • Promote Science: - motivating, demystifying - increasing CONFIDENCE
Acknowledgments • Mr. Harrison and Dr. Smith • St. John’s Primary School staff and students • UAS