NAATI CCL Spanish Educación y escolaridad — Diálogos de práctica

Good morning. You've come to enrol your child. Can you tell me the child's year level and age?

Mi hija tiene siete años, pronto cumplirá ocho. Estaba en segundo grado en su escuela anterior. Nos mudamos recientemente a la zona.

I see. For enrolment, we'll need a birth certificate, immunisation records, a school report from the previous school, and proof of address. Do you have those with you today?

Tengo el certificado de nacimiento y comprobante de domicilio. Pero el registro de vacunas está en trámite de transferencia del médico anterior. El boletín escolar está en otro idioma. ¿Es un problema?

The report needs to be translated by a NAATI-accredited translator. I can give you their contact details. We also need her immunisation records before she starts.

¿Dónde compro el uniforme? En su escuela anterior no usaban.

You can buy uniforms from the school shop, open Tuesdays and Thursdays from eight-thirty to three. Second-hand uniforms are also available at lower cost.

Mi hija no habla mucho inglés. ¿Hay algún apoyo?

Yes, we have an EAL/D program — English as an Additional Language or Dialect. A specialist teacher works with your child individually several times a week. It's completely free.

Qué alivio. También me preocupa el transporte. ¿Hay servicio de autobús escolar?

Yes, there's a bus route that covers this area. You can apply for a bus pass through the school's website. It's free with a school travel card.

Gracias. ¿Cuándo puede empezar?

Thank you for coming in. I have some concerns about Jamie's behaviour that I'd like to discuss. He's been acting differently lately.

¿Qué quiere decir? En casa no hemos notado nada.

He's become quite withdrawn in class and his concentration has dropped. He's also been spending more time alone during lunch breaks. It's very different from how he was before.

Ha habido un gran cambio en casa. Sus abuelos fallecieron hace dos meses y ha estado muy afectado.

I'm sorry to hear that. That would explain the change in behaviour. The school has a counsellor who can help him process his grief. I can refer him if you give consent.

Por supuesto, creo que ayudaría. ¿Se han visto afectadas sus notas?

His maths and reading have dropped a little, but that's understandable given the circumstances. I'll put together an individual support plan to help him catch up.

Gracias. ¿Hay algo más que podamos hacer?

A stable routine at home helps a lot. Reading together, keeping a consistent bedtime, and talking to him about anything that might be worrying him at school. Let's meet again in six weeks.

Lo haremos cada noche. Gracias por cuidar tanto de él.

You're welcome. Jamie is a wonderful boy and everyone likes him. We'll help him through this period. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any concerns.

Gracias. Por favor programe la cita con el consejero.

Welcome. You have an academic counselling appointment. What seems to be the problem?

Probablemente reprobaré dos de tres materias. Me he atrasado y quizás es demasiado tarde para pedir ayuda.

It's never too late. Let's look at your options. How are your grades overall this semester? Have you been submitting your assignments?

He entregado la mayoría de las tareas pero mis notas de exámenes son malas. Entiendo el contenido pero me entra pánico en los exámenes.

Exam anxiety is very common and can be managed. You can attend a preparation workshop, or access free counselling through the university's wellbeing service.

¿Qué tipo de adaptaciones?

Extra time, sitting the exam in a separate room, or permission to take breaks. In your case, you might be allowed rest breaks if you experience panic attacks.

¿Puedo retirar una materia sin penalización? Tres materias quizás sean demasiado este semestre.

The census date has passed, so withdrawal is without fee remission. But with medical evidence, you can apply for late withdrawal without academic penalty.

¿Afectará mis pagos de Centrelink? Recibo una beca estudiantil.

As long as you maintain full-time study, Centrelink isn't affected. If you drop a subject, check with Centrelink first to avoid payment issues.

De acuerdo, mantendré las tres y buscaré apoyo. ¿Puede ayudarme a inscribirme en el taller?

Thank you for coming in. We've arranged this meeting to discuss your son's learning assessment. I'd like to share what we've observed in the classroom.

Estoy un poco nervioso. ¿Hay algún problema?

Your son is a bright child, but he's been struggling with written tasks and group instructions. I'd recommend a formal assessment by an educational psychologist to find the most effective way to support him.

¿Qué quiere decir? ¿Tiene un trastorno de aprendizaje?

Not necessarily. The assessment is about understanding how your child learns. It identifies areas of strength and areas where support is needed. It's not about labelling — it's about finding the best way to help.

¿Cuánto cuesta? ¿Es gratuita?

Assessments arranged through the school are free. An educational psychologist comes to the school, observes your child, and conducts tests. There's usually a waiting period of four to six weeks.

¿Hay apoyo mientras esperamos?

Yes, we've already made some adjustments — extra instruction time, use of a computer instead of handwriting, and preferential seating. After the assessment, we'll develop a more comprehensive support plan.

¿Hay algo que debamos hacer en casa?

Read together and build confidence through activities he enjoys. If homework becomes stressful, praise effort rather than perfection. I'll send the consent form for the assessment next week.

Entendido. Gracias por prestar tanta atención a mi hijo.

Welcome to the English language centre. We'll do a placement test to find the right class for your level. Have you studied English before?

Estudié un poco en mi país pero no soy bueno. Puedo leer y escribir algo pero casi no puedo hablar.

That's fine. The test measures four skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It takes about forty-five minutes. Don't worry if you can't answer everything.

¿Si me va mal me expulsan? Me daría vergüenza estar en el nivel más bajo.

Absolutely not. This isn't a pass or fail test — it's just about finding the right level for you. Whichever level you start at, you'll progress to higher levels at your own pace.

¿A qué hora son las clases? Necesito llevar a mis hijos al colegio.

We have daytime and evening classes. The daytime class runs from nine-thirty to twelve-thirty, after school drop-off. Evening classes are twice a week.

¿Cuánto cuesta? Acabo de llegar con visa permanente.

As a permanent resident, you're entitled to five hundred and ten hours of free English lessons through the Adult Migrant English Program. You need to enrol within six months of arrival.

¡Excelente! No pensé que sería gratis.

Yes, the Australian Government funds it for eligible migrants. Learning materials are also provided free of charge. Now, let's start the test.

Estoy listo. Estoy nervioso, ¡pero lo intentaré!

Thank you for coming in. Your daughter has reported being bullied by other students. We take this very seriously and want to resolve it together.

¿Qué está pasando exactamente? Llega llorando todos los días y dice que no quiere ir al colegio.

Several students have been making comments about her appearance and took photos of her which they posted on social media with nasty captions.

¡Eso es ciberacoso! ¿Qué está haciendo la escuela?

We've already taken action. We've identified the students involved and confiscated their devices. Under our anti-bullying policy there are escalating consequences. The posts have been removed and all parents have been contacted.

¿Qué consecuencias habrá para los estudiantes involucrados?

Depending on the severity, consequences range from suspension to a recommendation for expulsion. Cyberbullying falls into the most serious category. The students involved in this incident will receive a three-day suspension.

¿Y el bienestar emocional de mi hija? Ha perdido completamente la confianza.

The school counsellor will meet with her weekly as part of a resilience-building program. There's also a social skills group at lunchtime. We'll monitor her closely and make sure this doesn't happen again.

¿Debería denunciar a la policía? ¿Las amenazas en redes sociales no son un delito?

You have the right to do so. Online harassment and threats can be criminal offences. I'd recommend saving screenshots of the posts as evidence. The school liaison officer can help you with the process.

Quiero actualizaciones semanales hasta que se resuelva. No quiero que esto vuelva a ocurrir.

Thank you for coming to the scholarship interview. You've applied for one of our merit-based scholarships. Can you tell me about your motivation?

Seré el primero de mi familia en ir a la universidad. No somos económicamente pudientes, pero mis notas siempre han sido las mejores. Sin la beca no puedo pagar la matrícula.

Your academic record is certainly impressive. What was your ATAR score?

Mi ATAR fue noventa y cinco punto seis. Estoy orgulloso porque lo logré trabajando a medio tiempo.

That's an outstanding achievement. This scholarship is worth fifteen thousand dollars per year and covers tuition and some living costs. You need to maintain an average grade throughout the three-year course.

¿Si bajan mis notas pierdo la beca?

One semester of poor grades won't cancel the scholarship. You'll get a warning and support. If it continues for two semesters, there may be further consequences.

¿Puedo trabajar medio tiempo mientras tengo la beca? Necesito ayudar a mi familia.

Yes, there are no work restrictions under the scholarship conditions. However, I'd recommend keeping it to around fifteen hours a week to avoid affecting your grades.

¿Cuándo sabré el resultado?

We'll notify you by email within two weeks. If successful, you'll receive the scholarship agreement together with your offer of admission.

Gracias. Esta beca cambiará mi vida.