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Background
There has been a long tradition of parents teaching
Marathi to their children at home. Marathi classes
conducted by Marathi Mandal, Sanskar Varg and
Marathi Libraries (formal & informal) have nurtured
Marathi language over last decade in Sydney. In
April, 2003 Shri Madhav Phatak initiated Anandmela
with cooperation of many volunteers and created an
opportunity for the children to learn Marathi
through various games, celebrations of festivities
and exercises in an informal environment. This was a
milestone in itself.
Such personal initiatives along with Anandmela have
provided important building blocks for Australian
Marathi Vidyalaya (School). This is a first formal
Marathi school in southern hemisphere. This school
provides an opportunity to learn Marathi in a formal
environment under the Community Language Program of
NSW Department of Education.
Marathi Association over last decade has steadfastly
supported various initiatives to promote Marathi
language thru initiatives like Anandmela &
Australian Marathi Vidyalaya. Proposal to establish
Marathi School was first presented at Akhil
Australia Marathi Sammelan in April 2008 and
subsequently approved by MASI AGM on 3rd
February 2008.
What is Australian Marathi Vidyalaya
Every Sunday in a two and half hour session children
(and adults) participate in various activities.
Curriculum of 14 levels is being developed. This
will cater and accommodate learning at different
pace and ensure motivation.
Benefits of Australian Marathi Vidyalaya
The ability of reading, writing and speaking the
language will open the doors of Marathi literature.
Children will reap the benefits of being a
bilingual. Research suggests there are advantages to
being bilingual, such as, linguistic and
metalinguistic abilities and cognitive flexibility.
They develop the ability to create simultaneous
connections among many different symbols,
demonstrate superior cognitive skills.
Language is a prime mechanism through which origin
and cultural ties can be preserved. Research shows
that one language is dieing every two weeks. The
language needs to be sustainable. The treasure of
the language should be passed on to the future
generations by cultivating love for the language. |
