What works? : a program of best practice for supporting the literacy needs of refugee high school students

Given the complex needs of refugee students in Australian secondary schools and the difficulties experienced by refugee students in making the transition to mainstream classes,it is clear that schools cannot on their own deliver the forms of literacy and learning support that are needed by refugee students unless they gain additional assistance. Refugee students come from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and the current models of teaching in schools become ineffective. This paper has as its focus a south-western Sydney secondary school program as an example of ‘what works’ for supporting the literacy development of refugee high school students. Through the Refugee Action Support (RAS) program, an interventionist mechanism and a partnership of school, non-government organisation and university, in school and after school literacy support is provided for refugee high school students at the selected school. This case study will show that literacy teaching and learning occurred 'in context' making the program a success at the school.