Parent and carer stories — Additional languages

Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole)

Laura speaks in English and Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole

Laura, a mother of eight, first learnt literacy and numeracy skills by counting fish, shells, seeds and making beads in the Torres Strait. Laura explains that things have changed a lot compared to when she went to school. She has encouraged her children to use literacy and numeracy skills everyday through activities like reading nutrition labels, writing shopping lists and paying bills.

Read the Literacy and Numeracy fact sheet — translated into Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole) (PDF, 418KB)

Kalkadoon (Mt Isa Aboriginal language)

Robert speaks in English and Kalkadoon (Mt Isa Aboriginal language)

Robert ensures his children learn about literacy and numeracy in both English and their Aboriginal language. Robert believes that children will learn by copying their parent's behaviour. Robert uses games like 'I spy' when in the car and doing mathematical problems 'out loud' while at home to help his children develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

Chinese Mandarin

Hui-Hsueh speaks in English and Chinese Mandarin

Hui-Hsueh believes that parents play an important role in helping children develop their literacy and numeracy skills at home, particularly in English. Hui-Hsueh makes sure her children feel comfortable asking her about any questions they have with their schoolwork.

Read the Literacy and numeracy fact sheet — translated into Chinese Mandarin (PDF, 307KB)

Vietnamese

Long speaks in English and Vietnamese

For Long, father to three sons, learning is a strong family value. Long encourages his children to start discussions by showing an interest in what they are doing, and sharing what he does in his daily work, such as explaining how the share market works.

Read the Literacy and numeracy fact sheet — translated into Vietnamese (PDF, 258KB)

Sudanese Arabic

John speaks in English and Sudanese Arabic

John came to Australia in 2005 from Kenya. John first went to school when he was eight years old and found it challenging to catch up on literacy and numeracy skills with his classmates. John always tries to make his home environment a learning environment for his children.

Swahili

Sarah speaks in English and Swahili

Mother of two, Sarah, has been learning to read and write in English since she moved to Australia several years ago. Sarah feels that even though her children's English skills are better than her own, she is still able to help her daughter and son by asking them what they did at school during the day, what they have for homework and communicating in their first language.

Tongan

Paul speaks in English and Tongan

Paul, who grew up in Tonga, explains that he learnt to count in three languages. Paul talks to his children every day about what they do in school and makes sure he discusses school subjects with them at the start of each school year. Paul also involves his family in many community activities, but he feels school must always be the first priority.

Samoan

Ruby speaks in English and Samoan

Ruby grew up in an environment where education, including literacy and numeracy, were considered to be very important. She believes that parents can help their children in primary school by explaining what the teacher is asking for, what needs to be done for an assignment and asking the teacher how you can help them.

Read the Literacy and numeracy fact sheet — translated into Samoan (PDF, 223KB)

Bosnian

Nihada speaks in English and Bosnian

When Nihada arrived in Australia several years ago, she did not speak English and faced many challenges while adjusting to a new culture. Nihada is able to support her child's learning with activities at home like practicing writing, reading and counting with blocks in both English and her first language, Bosnian.

Greek

Jane speaks in English and Greek

Jane is a mother of two and her youngest child has special needs. Jane speaks English at home with her children and uses a number of different ways to keep her son with special needs interested in his school work and focused on the task at hand.

Read the Literacy and Numeracy fact sheet — translated into Greek (PDF, 271KB)

Turkish

Hasan speaks in Turkish and his daughter translates in English

Hasan moved from Turkey to Australia six years ago and overcomes new challenges each day. He realises that communicating with others in different ways is vital, no matter which language you speak. As a chef, Hasan uses literacy and numeracy skills in everyday life and shares this knowledge with his children at home.