ESL learners are a diverse group of second language learners in various stages of gaining competency in English.  These include:-

1. Students newly arrived in Australia who come from a language background other than English.
2. Students born in Australia who enter school with little or no English.
3. Students who have had all or some of their schooling in Australia, and whose home background includes at least one language other than English.
4. Students with low level language proficiency which masks their potential, often referred to as 'invisible underachievers' (Chaffey, 2003)

Schools provide teaching and learning programs that match student language learning needs with the academic challenges of the curriculum.  The range of contexts in which support is provided and the combination of different strategies used, will depend on students' needs and the resources available to each school.

CEO, Sydney continues to give high priority to supporting the development of ESL learners, and to supporting communities in implementing sound ESL Programs.

The ESL Position Paper (K-12) may be accessed here...

For further information on ESL Programs and Multicultural Education please contact:

Mary Karras
Education Officer
Commonwealth Targeted Programs K-12
Phone: (02) 9568 8247
Fax: (02) 9568 8470
Email: mary.karras@ceo.syd.catholic.edu.au