App to revive language learning in Mitchell

Preschool children in Mitchell will have an exciting opportunity to learn another language this year using play-based mobile tablet apps.

“I’m delighted to announce that six local pre-schools have been successful in obtaining a place in the Turnbull Government’s Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) programme,” the Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP said.

“This means our local children will have the opportunity to experience Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, French or Arabic languages through apps which are being delivered in selected pre-schools across Australia.

“Following the successful trial among 41 preschools last year, the Turnbull Government is significantly expanding the programme this year meaning more than 300 services will be taking part, including Baulkham Hills Preschool Kindergarten, Carrington Preschool Kindergarten, Castle Grove Early Learning Centre, Northmead Baptist Childcare, Unitingcare Wesley Preschool Kindergarten and Norwest Child Care Centre.

“The ELLA programme is a great opportunity for our preschoolers to make an early start on becoming familiar with another language and I commend these six local pre-schools for committing to the programme and giving our children this opportunity.

Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Turnbull Government has invested $9.8 million in the languages app to help to revive language study in Australia’s early education centres, schools and universities.

“Seeing and hearing young children counting, following recipes and singing in a language that isn’t their native tongue, you understand how engaging this app is and why it has had such positive feedback from kids, educators and families,” Minister Birmingham said.

“I am committed to ensuring that the Turnbull Government delivers Australian families the learning opportunities they want, in a form that works for them and their children and at a time, as early as possible in life, to establish a life-long interest.

“Following the success of the ELLA programme and Polyglots apps, the Turnbull Government has committed $6 million through the National Science and Innovation Agenda to the development of a similar app focused on inspiring students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

For more information about the ELLA programme visit: www.education.gov.au/early-learning-languages-australia