Lesson ideas
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Diversity of languages
Theme: Culture, language and identity
Key Learning Area: English - Languages other than English (LOTE) - Mathematics - Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE)
Age Group: Primary Upper (10-12) - Secondary Lower (13-14) - Secondary Middle (15-16) Resource Type: Graphs and charts
Stimulus Name: Pie graphs: Languages spoken at home 1996 & Languages other than English 1996
Outcomes
Students interpret graphs and statistics to recognise and understand the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australia.
Introduction
This activity gives students the opportunity to appreciate the language diversity that exists in most Australian schools and classrooms.
Further information may be downloaded from the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
Worksheets to download
Languages spoken at home 1996 (rtf File)
Languages other than English 1996 (rtf File)
Suggested Activities
Download student copies of pie graphs.
- Discuss Australia's cultural and linguistic diversity using the information presented in the pie graphs. (Teachers background information Racism. No way! Australia's Cultural Diversity )
- Use the information in the pie graphs to create bar graphs
- Take a census of the languages spoken by the students or their families and present it in graph form.
Additional Strategies
- Create a profile of the linguistic diversity of your class or school.
- Choose a language represented in the school and research its origins and connections.
- Choose English words and research their derivations (etymology)
- Research the range of Indigenous languages that exist or have existed in your area.
Related Resources
Fact sheet Australia's cultural diversity
Racism. No way. SD3 Australia's cultural diversity: Facts and figures.
Relevant websites to visit
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Copyright Acknowledgement
Pie Graphs:Languages spoken at home 1996 & Languages other than English 1996
CESCEO
Date: 12 October 2000
