There’s less than a month to go for preschools and child care centres in the New England Electorate to sign-up for a popular language learning program the Coalition Government is rolling out nationally for the first time.

 

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the Coalition Government’s Early Learning Languages Australia (ELLA) program allows preschool children to learn one of seven languages – Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Indonesian, Spanish, Italian, Arabic or French – using tablet apps and fun, play-based learning.

 

“Local preschools and child care centres are running out of time to sign up for the ELLA program before applications close at the end of February,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“The program is expanding across the country in 2017 and we’re expecting more than 30,000 children to take part, so I want to make sure New England Electorate kids aren’t left behind. I’m urging preschools and child care centres to head to: www.ella.edu.au to sign up.

 

“It’s fantastic to see children recognising different sounds of a language other than English, and having a great time while they’re at it.

 

“The feedback we’ve seen across the country has been overwhelmingly positive and the program is a unique opportunity.

 

“The apps have been designed so that there is no need for the educators to have mastered the language being taught.  In fact, educators and children collaborate and learn together.

 

“Preschools can choose a language that aligns with the curriculum of their local primary school to support the ongoing development of language skills.”

 

Minister for Education and Training, Simon Birmingham said after a successful two-year trial the Coalition Government had invested $15.7 million to make the ELLA program available to preschools across the country.

 

“More than 1000 preschool services have already applied for ELLA in 2017 and I encourage others to take advantage of this unique educational opportunity,” Minister Birmingham said.

 

Minister Birmingham said communities from disadvantaged areas would not miss out, with the Government providing funding for 1000 preschools ($500 each) to purchase devices.

 

Applications close on 26 February, 2017, 5:00 PM (AEST).

 

For more information and to submit an application, visit: www.ella.edu.au.