Year 10-11 transition program

Literacy, numeracy, scientific principles

Background

The second major area of transition in secondary education occurs between Year 10 and Year 11. Although students usually have more choice about which subjects they will choose at senior secondary level, there are still some subjects viewed as essential.

To satisfy the pattern requirements of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE),

at Stage 1 or Year 11 , students must undertake

	2 units English or ESL or Communication for the Hearing-Impaired
	1 unit Mathematics
	1 unit of Australian Studies
	2 units from Group 1 subjects (Arts/Humanities/Social & Cultural Group)
	2 units from Group 2 subjects (Mathematics/Science/ Technology Group);

and at Stage 2 or Year 12, students must undertake

3 × 2 unit sequences which include 2 units from Group 1 and 2 units from Group 2;

and satisfy the requirements of the Writing-based Literacy Assessment (WBLA).

If a student has difficulties in Year 10 Mathematics, English or Science, Year 11 will become so much harder to enjoy and complete because the basics in literacy, numeracy and problem-solving have not been sufficiently mastered to allow progression to the next level of learning required for successful participation in Year 11.

Who might undertake the Year 10 - 11 Transition Program

Any student in Year 10 who wishes to lay a strong foundation for Year 11 entry.

Year 10 -11 Transition Program at the International Academy of Education

This program focuses on literacy, numeracy and scientific principles to address the compulsory subjects at Stage 1 of the SACE through an approach incorporating the fundamentals of thinking, reasoning, learning and problem-solving so necessary for successful participation in contemporary Australian society.

The focus on Literacy will provide students with essential background knowledge, skills and learning strategies for undertaking the WBLA, Australian Studies and Group 1 subjects.

The focus on Numeracy will provide students with essential background knowledge, skills and learning strategies for the Study of Year 11 Mathematics.

The focus on Scientific Principles will provide students with essential background knowledge, skills and learning strategies for the study of Year 11 Science subjects.

Sessions

Students learn in small groups (max.10) with a qualified teacher for 1×2 hr session per week. Individual tuition is also possible and may even be more appropriate, depending on a student’s needs.

Sessions for 2005

The timing of group sessions will ultimately depend on student and staff availability.

The timing of individual sessions can be negotiated.

During sessions

In the literacy component, materials have been developed focussing on the four main activities necessary to achieve literacy:

	Reading
	Writing
	Listening
	Speaking

Appropriate grammar, spelling and vocabulary are seen as important components of all literacy activities.

In the numeracy component, materials focus on ensuring students have a mastery of basic arithmetic skills, confidence with mathematical concepts and relationships and an understanding of the use of mathematics in describing, investigating , analysing and modelling aspects of the world. An important part of this section of the course is to develop students’ mathematical literacy.

In the scientific principles component, students are encouraged to become questioning, reflective and critical thinkers in their quest to understand the physical world. They look at evidence and data and the way in which these are collected and interpreted to provide an explanatory model which is continually evolving. An important part of this section of the course is to develop students’ scientific literacy.

Fees

Our group rate per student per 2 hr session is $80:00.

Sessions must be paid for in blocks of 4 & 5 for unit 1 and in a block of 6 for unit 2, in advance, to secure a place.

To enrol