The Australian Government is investing in the English Language Learning for Indigenous Children (ELLIC) Trial to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preschool children, for whom English is an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) to learn English in a fun and engaging way.
The ELLIC Trial is targeted at preschool children in the year before formal schooling and will be aligned to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Australian Curriculum: Foundation.
About the trial
The English Language Learning for Indigenous Children Trial is:
- Underpinned by a series of digital learning play-based apps
- Can be used by preschool educators to support English literacy development
The ELLIC Trial formally concluded in December 2022. All 20 participating preschools have continued access to the learning materials, including the ELLIC website, the app-based activities and technical assistance for teachers until 31 December 2023 to enable the preschools to take full advantage of the ELLIC Trial resources.
Implementation of the Trial in preschools was supported through:
- Educator training
- Provision of technical assistance
- Development of a range of resources to complement app-based activities
- An online educator community of practice.
App consultations
The ELLIC apps were:
- Co-designed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education stakeholders; and
- Trialled with 20 Indigenous communities with high representation of EAL/D preschool children in 2021-22.
Trial outcomes
An independent evaluation reporting on the implementation and outcomes of the Trial has been completed. Its findings are currently being considered by the department.