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Language Programs

Celebrate language and culture through everyday learning that strengthens identity, belonging and inclusion.

What are Language Programs?

At Gowrie, we believe that language is key to supporting inclusion, strengthen identity and belonging, and help children to begin to understand diversity. For this reason, across our services, there are language programs supporting children to learn Mandarin, Arabic, Tagalog, Italian, and First Nations languages like Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Wadawurrung.

Our language programs are embedded, where educators work closely with children to support them in learning new key phrases, understanding different cultural perspectives and following their curiosities in multiple languages.

What this looks like in practice

  • naming plants, insects, and other garden discoveries in the language of the program
  • everyday greetings and language rituals, like saying “buon appetito” before a meal
  • learning key terms and phrases based on children’s interests as they arise
  • counting, colours and simple instructions woven into daily routines and play
  • songs, rhymes and stories that build familiarity through rhythm and repetition
  • visual cues around the room, connecting spoken and written languages

What do children and educators enjoy about our Language Programs?

My favourite thing is watching the ways the children start to use the language. It quickly moves from being a program we teach, to something that is discussed all the time. The children’s curiosity often drives the learning, with them keen to know the Italian words for a wide range of things in their learning environment.

Educator

We start our group-times in Arabic, we say ‘marhaba’.

Norah

Child

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