impact of bilingualism in science final year project presentation marta caruda m. de c. march 2008

Impact of Bilingualism in Impact of Bilingualism in ScienceScience

Final Year Project PresentationFinal Year Project Presentation

Marta Caruda M. de C.Marta Caruda M. de C.

March 2008March 2008

Content:Content:

How to define “bilingual”?How to define “bilingual”?

Survey: results & observationsSurvey: results & observations

Solutions:Solutions:

- Pilot project 2003- Pilot project 2003

SummarySummary

Bilingual?

Living in England, learning English andusing one or more languages.

“Advanced Bilingual Learner” “Newly arrived to the country” learner

>10% have EN as additional language(source: Statistics of Education, 2003)

Bilinguals vs. monolinguals:

Bilinguals vs. monolinguals Year 5/6

28%

72%

Bilinguals

Monolinguals

In which language do you dream?

In which language do you think/dream?

30%

35%

30%

5%

English

Both languages

Mother-tongue language

no answer

Were you born in the U.K.?

Born in the UK

77%

23%

Yes

No

Do you always understand the language of your Science teacher?

Do you always understand your Science teacher?

75%

20%

5%

Yes

No

Sometimes

In which language do you read science books?

In which language do you read Science books?

4%

96%

English

Both languages

Mother-tongue language

How confident do you feel about your English?

Confidence in English langauge

66%

34%

Very confident

OK

Not at all

Very confident about their English:

Which subject do you like most?

73%

18%

9%

Science

Languages

Both

Would you like to become a scientist in the future?

27%

73%

Yes

No

Ok about their English:Which subject do you like most?

50%

16%

34%

Science

Languages

Both

Would you like to become a scientist in the future?

16%

84%

Yes

No

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