Analysis on the Melbourne Graduate School of Education Analysis of Designated Bilingual Programs in Victorian Government Schools - Footscray Primary School (MGSE Report)

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher

This document examines the MGSE Report’s recommendations on maintaining and adjusting bilingual education delivery at Footscray Primary School. It focuses on the second language currently taught (Vietnamese) and evaluates the MGSE-recommended adoption of Italian and Japanese for 2021. It reviews enrolment and completion trends across Vietnamese, Italian, and Japanese, uses supporting DET Languages Provision and school data, and critiques gaps in corresponding survey evidence. It also outlines further considerations not fully addressed by the MGSE Report, including program support and pathways to higher-level qualifications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Part One

Vietnamese, Italian, and Japanese enrolment trends

Support for bilingual education at Footscray Primary School

VCE Unit 4 completions and student flow

Part Two

Arguments and rationale for changing the second language

Part Three

Considerations not adequately addressed by the MGSE Report

Analysis on the Melbourne Graduate School of Education Analysis of Designated Bilingual Programs in Victorian Government Schools: Footscray Primary School (MGSE Report) Prepared by Hoang Tran Nguyen-School Council Parent Member (Footscray Primary School) 27 March 2020 Introduction The recommendations from the MGSE Report feature two aspects. The first is the model of teaching of Bilingual Education at Footscray Primary School (FPS) and the second is the language that will accompany English in the delivery of instruction. This document concerns the consideration of the Second Language of delivery. The focus here will be on the current Second language taught at FPS (Vietnamese) as well as Italian and Japanese, the two languages the MGSE Report recommends the school adopt for 2021. Part One of this document looks at the data contained in the MGSE Report. Part Two attempts to unpack some of the arguments and rationale for recommending a change in Second Language. Part Three looks at considerations the MGSE Report does not adequately address. If FPS is to deliberate on a change in Second Language of delivery, it is important to understand and articulate the reasons for doing so. Data extra to the MGSE Report is sourced from DET Languages Provision Reports (2006 – 2018)1 and school annual reports. Elaborations are also informed from school visits and phone conversations with Principals from other Bilingual Schools in Victoria by the Author. Note: Due to time constraints and availability the Author’s conversations with Principals from other schools this year have not always been in tandem with Jen Briggs, the Principal of FPS. In 2019 the Author visited Lalor North PS with the Acting Principal, the FPS SEIL and a fellow School Councillor. In 2020 the Author visited Bayswater PS with the Principal and a Second Language teacher. The Author also spoke with the Principal at Brunswick South last year independently. Disclaimer: The Author is of Vietnamese heritage, an Australian citizen and did not participate in the 2019 Survey referenced in the MGSE Report. 1 [https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/languages/Pages/research.aspx](https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/languages/Pages/research.aspx) Retrieved 20 March 2020 Part One 1. “The teaching of Vietnamese in Victoria had, until recently, been in significant decline. In 2006, for example, there were 1659 students learning Vietnamese … By 2012, this had fallen to 437” p.5 of MGSE Report. The MGSE Report does not provide data regarding Italian or Japanese for the same period. When comparing data over the same period for the three languages, all have significant decreases in student enrolments (Fig 1 . 1 and 1 . 2) . When taking into consideration VSL Primary2 enrolments the decrease for Vietnamese sits between decreases for Italian and Japanese (Fig 1 . 2) . Fig. 1.1 Primary enrolments by language (DET 2006 p.6, 2012 p. 11) | | 2006 | 2012 | % Decrease | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Italian | 71560 | 42848 | 40% | | Japanese | 48347 | 35050 | 27% | | Vietnamese | 1638 | 437 | 73% | Fig. 1.2 Primary + VSL Primary enrolments by language (DET 2006 p.6, 2012 p. 11) | | 2006 | 2012 | % Decrease | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Italian | 71635 | 43015 | 40% | | Japanese | 48368 | 35140 | 27% | | Vietnamese | 2198 | 1498 | 32% | 2. “There was, in the main, overwhelming support for an innovative languages program to be maintained at FPS…” p.8 The data provided from the 2019 Survey is useful is gauging the level of support for Bilingual Education at FPS. However, although the MGSE Report strongly argues for FPS to change the Second Language to Italian or Japanese, no corresponding Survey data is provided to indicate the levels of support for these languages. The 2019 Survey contained questions to gauge interest in the Second Language for Vietnamese, Italian, Japanese or another lan

FAQs

What second-language options does the document compare for Footscray Primary School?

It compares Vietnamese (the current second language taught) with Italian and Japanese, the two languages recommended by the MGSE Report for adoption in 2021.

Which data sources does the document use to analyze the MGSE Report?

It uses data from the MGSE Report and additional data from DET Languages Provision Reports (2006–2018), along with school annual reports, and supplementary insights from school visits and phone conversations with principals of other bilingual schools in Victoria.

What concerns does the document raise about evidence for switching from Vietnamese to Italian or Japanese?

It notes that while the MGSE Report argues for changing the second language, it does not provide corresponding survey data showing levels of support for Italian or Japanese compared with Vietnamese.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Cipher