Implementing Multiculturalism within the Context of Australian society: South Australia's school for the German language

Abstract

The School for the German Language (SGL) was established in 1959 in South Australia. It is in session on Saturday mornings. Enrolment figures increased from 10 in 1959 to 325 in 1975, but since then they have declined to 173 in 1999. The ethnic composition of the students at the school has shifted from first or second-generation Germans to ‘multicultural’ students-parents from different ethnic backgrounds send their children to the school. Although enrolment figures at SGL are decreasing, it is anticipated that not only students of different ethnic backgrounds, but also Lo Bianco's recommendation to use ethnic schools as complementary providers in language teaching within the South Australian education system, will rescue it in the long run. Academically, the SGL has a very good reputation: compared with overall South Australian figures, the proportion of students studying German year 12 and matriculating through the school is high. Lo Bianco's recommendation, as well as highly qualified teaching and very dedicated administrative staff at the school, should provide for a positive future.