Tuggeranong Primary Introductory English Centre (TPIEC)

The Tuggeranong Primary Introductory English Centre (TPIEC)

The TPIEC was opened in 1992 and is situated at Wanniassa Hills Primary School in Langdon Avenue, Wanniassa.

The TPIEC was developed in order to:

• Concentrate educational resources for newly arrived primary school age students who speak a language other than English so that these resources are used in the most cost effective way.
• Enable these students to develop their English language skills, confidence and self-esteem so that they may integrate into an Australian primary school.

The teaching staff at TPIEC have ESL qualifications and have taught ESL in a wide variety of schools in Australia, and in some cases, overseas. There is also a Learning Support Assistant who works with the children in class and supports the teachers with administrative tasks. The Wanniassa Hills School Counsellor works with the teachers to assess students and to assist them to adjust to school in Australia.

Aims of the TPIEC

The staff at TPIEC will work in partnership with parents, the community and the ACT school system to provide newly arrived students who speak a language other than English with a firm foundation in the English language so that they can participate with equal access in educational and social settings.

Students will be given the opportunity to develop their English language and social skills to a level that will enable them to function confidently in a primary school environment and to live in and contribute to Australia's multicultural society.

The TPIEC provides students with:

• Intensive, specialised instruction in English
• A supportive environment which prepares students for mainstream primary schooling and participation in Australian society at large.