11 Nov 2013

American Samoa finalises dual language plan for classrooms

6:54 am on 11 November 2013

American Samoa's Department of Education has determined the percentage of teaching which has to be done in Samoan and English as it moves closer to dual language instruction.

Dual language instruction was one of the key policies that was promoted by the Director of Education and the Commission in charge of the Governor's Education Summit last month.

For Early Childhood Education 95 percent of the classroom instruction will be delivered in Samoan and the balance in English.

For level one students 90 percent of instruction will be in Samoan, 80 percent in Samoan in level 2, 70 percent in level 3, and 60 percent Samoan in grades four and five.

The language of instruction in high school will be in the language most appropriate and suitable for the curriculum content.

Sipaea Sanonu of the Samoan Language Program told KHJ News that the dual language plan will be rolled out for the new school year.