At Caversham Valley Primary School, we acknowledge our community's diverse cultures, backgrounds, and languages and we provide targeted support for these students who are learning Standard Australian English (SAE). This includes students who speak a dialect of English that differs from SAE, including Aboriginal English.

While the development of Standard Australian English is crucial for us; with 62 nationalities in our school, we also place high importance on developing our students' first language. First language or home language is spoken at home before a child begins school. Research shows that having a solid foundation in a first language makes acquiring the second language easier.

Why is it important to speak your first language/ dialect?

Stimulates brain development: Speaking more than one language activates growth in children's brains, helps them think more creatively and solve problems more easily.

Enhances English literacy skills: Developing literacy in their home language alongside Standard Australian English helps children learn how languages work and supports them to become better readers, listeners, and communicators.

Improves memory, concentration, and numeracy skills: Speaking two or more languages strengthens and improves memory and concentration.

Strengthens children’s sense of identity: Children who are literate in their home language find it easier to retain strong connections to their family, community, and culture.

You are your child’s first and most important educator and children strongly benefit from being able to speak, read and write the home language of their parents or main carer: it is important for their sense of identity and belonging, and it will help them to succeed at school.

Older children may be unwilling to speak to you in their first language. It's a good idea to keep using your first language at home even if your older child increasingly responds in English.

Remember your child will be speaking Standard Australian English at school with their teachers and friends.