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