Curriculum Year 6

• An accelerated and radical English language immersion program for non-English speaking students designed to bring them to an upper intermediate standard of English (or higher) in time for their entry into the mainstream academic program. This unique program has been designed by Australian experts in the field of language acquisition who will also oversee the teaching and learning process.
  


• The need to consolidate the learning of English speaking students to ensure they achieve and exceed the curriculum outcomes of the NSW Board of Studies Primary School curriculum. This is to enable the Year 7 to 10 academic program to start and continue at a pace commensurate with the ability of the students.
  


• Orienting and training the Year 6 students into a highly IT enriched pedagogy that includes maximum use of technology to enhance learning in all curriculum areas. Technology will also be instrumental in students being able to maintain a personalized learning journal as part of the process of reflective learning. Teachers and parents will have designated access to this reflective journal-writing via the internet in a way that will enable them to contribute appropriately to the growth of the student towards self-directed learning.
  

The curriculum being offered at The Australian International School Saigon is based on pedagogic theories about the most effective ways of developing students in an intellectually challenging and supportive school environment. The School is adopting an innovative approach to teaching which will cater for the needs of both native English speaking students and non-English speaking students as they prepare for secondary school study. Subject content will cover outcomes based on the NSW Board of Studies Year 6 syllabuses in all the key learning areas. English classes, which students will study each day, will be conducted as parallel classes - one for native English speakers and one for non-native English speakers.

All lessons will be designed with a strong emphasis on oral language as central to the development of reading and writing skills. This will be achieved through communicative activities used in all subjects. Pair and group work will also be a feature of everyday classroom practice. This collaborative approach is supported by current understandings about optimal teaching and learning environments which emphasize the importance of the social context in which learning occurs. The explicit and systematic teaching of language, with a particular emphasis on a text-based syllabus approach, will be incorporated into all aspects of the program with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training's ESL Steps: ESL curriculum framework (2005) forming the basis of the pedagogic framework for the Year 6 program.

Formal study of the Vietnamese language will also be part of the school curriculum at this level. The program will mirror the English parallel class approach where native speakers of Vietnamese will continue to develop their knowledge of Vietnamese language and literature while non-native speakers will be taught how to communicate in spoken and written Vietnamese. Students will be given access to internet sites which provide grammar activities on-line for students to practice independently. This provides motivation for the students, opportunities for self-access study and increases familiarity with e-learning.

Drama, art and music will be emphasized as they provide opportunities for students to explore various ways of using language creatively, enhance self-esteem and encourage the development of identity. A Vietnamese culture program will be incorporated within the Human Society and its Environment key learning area as a topic of study. Resources have been sourced from both the NSW Board of Studies and the NSW Department of Education and Training, reflecting up to date curriculum initiatives.

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