The fact that the New Australian Child is eager to master the language and, indeed, is forced to do so if he wishes to take his place amongst Australian children, makes the teacher’s task much easier. It has been found that children with little or no command of English appreciate being given an ‘adjustment period’ of a fortnight or so during which they can observe their new class and ‘get the feel’ of the new conditions without being unduly worried by formal classwork. The adjustment process is helped by seating the migrant beside a sympathetic Australian child.
New South Wales Department of Education. 1951. ‘Helping the New Australian Child.’ The Education Gazette:317–320; 350–352.