Language, Migrants, and Power [microform] / D. F. Davis.
After three decades of diverse and intense immigration accompanied by a range of well intentioned initiatives by the Australian government to meet the needs of immigrants, there remain unsolved problems. An Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs evaluation (1982) found major achievements in e...
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| Format: | Microfilm Book |
| Language: | English |
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Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
1984.
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| Summary: | After three decades of diverse and intense immigration accompanied by a range of well intentioned initiatives by the Australian government to meet the needs of immigrants, there remain unsolved problems. An Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs evaluation (1982) found major achievements in establishing intensive programs of English instruction for new arrivals, providing grants to ethnic and voluntary organizations to undertake immigrant welfare services, extending telephone interpreter service to several major centers, and introducing multicultural television service in state capitals with highest ethnic concentration. However, the English teaching profession in Australia lacks training and expertise to respond to the wide range of second language learners. The cultural mores of many immigrant parents lead them to place ultimate faith in schools to such an extent that they do not become involved in the curriculum decision-making process that affects their children. Within the fabric of contemporary Australian society there exists a fundamental dissonance between the myopia of monolingualism and a government commitment to community languages and cultural maintenance. The English-as-a-mother-tongue population lacks a sense of community except in reactive recognition of other more tightly knit communities. The levels of tolerance and understanding run low and, despite every humanizing attempt, racism festers. (NEC) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Note: Paper presented at the IFTE International Seminar (East Lansing, MI, November 11-14, 1984). ERIC Document Number: ED262941. |
| Physical Description: | 7 p. |
| Reproduction Note: | Microfiche. |
| Action Note: | committed to retain |