October 2022

From the President

Welcome back to what is sure to be a busy term 4 for all!

We are pleased to advise that planning for the 24^th AFMLTA International Conference 2023 is well underway. Please see the Conference page on our website for details that are confirmed so far. Information about registration, guest speakers and the conference program will be posted to this page as it becomes available. You might like to consider presenting a session at the conference. The call for papers will open in late January and close on 1 April.

The AFMLTA has sent letters of introduction to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese and to the Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare. The purpose of these letters was to inform them of our work supporting quality languages education throughout Australia, and, in particular, to draw their attention to the significant work undertaken to develop Towards a National Plan and Strategy for Language Education in Australia (NLPS). This project is now complete with the research reports awaiting Ministerial review. You can read these letters and responses from their offices on the what’s new page of our website.

Save the date!

24th AFMLTA International Languages Conference 2023

Date: 7-9 July 2023

Venue: Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA

Registration: Open soon.

Languages and Cultures Network in Australian Universities' National Languages Campaign

AFMLTA proudly supports the National Languages Campaign recently launched by our affiliate, Languages and Cultures Network in Australian Universities (LCNAU). This campaign includes online videos, audio and static ads targeted at school leavers, university students and parents. Its aim is to increase the numbers studying languages at tertiary level by raising awareness of both the intrinsic benefits of language learning as well as the financial benefits (reduced HECS charges and debt) for students who choose to study languages under the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates Package. We strongly advise you to share these resources with your students and with your colleagues, especially those who are in a position to advise students about their future studies and careers.

Online Versions of the AFMLTA Professional Standards

Digital versions of the 2021 AFMLTA Professional Standards for Accomplished Teaching of Languages and Professional Standards for Lead Teachers of Languages are available on the AFMLTA website.

These updated digital versions complement the range of resources available on the AFMLTA website Professional Standards page, including the AITSL-aligned documents and the language-specific versions of the standards available for 7 languages. 

We encourage you to explore these to support reflection on practice and planning for future growth in your role as a teacher of Languages.

Congratulations!

The AFMLTA extends hearty congratulations to our colleague, Fulvia Valvasori, who has been awarded the honour of Cavaliere Ufficiale della Stella d'Italia for her extraordinary contributions to Italian language and culture in Western Australia.

We were fortunate to have Fulvia as Promotions Officer as part of the AFMLTA Executive Committee for six years. In this role, she made significant contributions at a national level, particularly in the areas of building networks and events management.

 In 2015, Fulvia’s significant contribution to AFMLTA and MLTAWA was acknowledged in awarding her an AFMLTA Certificate of Merit, made in recognition of dedicated and effective contribution to the work of the AFMLTA over an extended period.

Professional Learning

National Symposium on Japanese Language Education (NSJLE) 2022

Theme: Be Inspired, Be Inspiring.

Date: 4-5 November 2022

Venue: State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC

Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU)

LCNAU Seventh Biennial Colloquium

Date: 28-30 November 2022

Venue: The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC

Modern Language Teachers Association of Victoria (MLTAV) Conference 2022

75th Anniversary Conference + Dinner

Date: 2 December 2022

Venue: Novotel on Collins, Melbourne

Registration: Registrations open on the MLTAV website.

Language Teachers Association of the Northern Territory (LTANT) Conference 2022

Date: 9 December 2022

Venue: Charles Darwin University

Registration: Registrations open on the LTANT website soon.