Timor-Leste Grade 3 Curriculum - Portuguese

The Timor-Leste education system has undergone significant changes since independence. Portuguese is an official language of Timor-Leste, along with Tetum. The curriculum emphasizes bilingualism, with a gradual transition to Portuguese as the language of instruction.

Curriculum Framework and Implementation:

A new national curriculum framework for preschool and primary school (grades 1-6) was implemented in phases, starting in 2015. The curriculum focuses on active, child-centered learning, promoting critical thinking and connecting learning to students' lives. It also incorporates peacebuilding and non-violence.

Language of Instruction:

• Grades 1-2: Tetum is the primary language for literacy (reading and writing), with Portuguese introduced orally.
• Grade 3 onwards: Literacy skills are transferred to Portuguese, and its use as the language of instruction gradually increases. The goal is to achieve bilingual proficiency by the end of grade 6. Portuguese and Tetum are both used in the first cycle of education (grades 1-4), and Portuguese is the language of instruction for secondary school.

Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE):

A pilot program for MTB-MLE has been implemented to test the use of non-official national languages in early basic education. This program aims to provide a strong foundation in the mother tongue before transitioning to other languages.

Challenges:

Implementing the curriculum and language policy has faced several challenges:

• Teacher Training and Resources: Logistical and administrative problems have hindered the distribution of materials and effective teacher training.
• Language Proficiency: Ensuring teachers are proficient in both Tetum and Portuguese is crucial for effective instruction.
• Sociolinguistic Context: Tetum and Portuguese have unequal social value, which can impact language learning and implementation.
• Enforcement of Portuguese: Efforts to enforce the use of Portuguese in schools have faced resistance and led to some drastic measures.

This information provides an overview of the Timor-Leste Grade 3 Curriculum - Portuguese, highlighting its framework, language policy, challenges, and the role of MTB-MLE.