Tuesday 25 July 9:15am - 3:15pm Independent Schools Victoria (West Melbourne)

Effectively engaging Languages learners.

How can we engage today’s Languages learners so they will be motivated and successful?

Can we leverage brain research, student voice and contemporary pedagogies to effectively support students to learn and use Languages?

Participate in this full day workshop to explore the possibilities and practicalities of contemporary Languages pedagogies.

Register now as limited places are available in this professional learning opportunity designed for primary and secondary teachers of Languages in Victorian schools.

Cost including morning tea and lunch:
$290 MLTAV members, $340 non-members

Facilitators: Kylie Farmer and Linton Roe

Event venue: Professional Learning space @ Independent Schools Victoria, 40 Rosslyn St, West Melbourne

Easily accessible via public transport

Monday August 14, 3:45 - 4:45pm (online)

Inclusive Language

Language plays a crucial part in shaping social perceptions and reinforcing gender norms. Our role as language teachers is to promote a use of language that is respectful and inclusive of all our diverse students. The importance of using gender-inclusive language in the classroom brings some new challenges to teaching gendered languages, such as Italian, French and Spanish, where gender is marked linguistically within a binary system.

Languages are not fixed but on the contrary are dynamic, constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of their users. Therefore, the teaching of gendered languages needs to be updated to give visibility to those who are not yet visible in current dominant language practices, and to give voice to all our students.

In this workshop we aim to:

• Discuss the challenges faced by teachers of Romance languages in using gender-inclusive language;
• Explore alternatives to traditional gendered language structures (with some examples in Italian, French, and Spanish) such as the use of gender-neutral vocabulary, non-binary language options, and inclusive grammar structures;
• Share practical examples and resources to introduce inclusive language in our teaching materials and engage students in critical discussions on gender identity, stereotypes, and societal norms.

The webinar is targeted to primary and secondary teachers. Examples presented will be in Italian, French and Spanish, however the main challenges and linguistic strategies discussed can be relevant to teachers of other languages.

Facilitators: Dr. Riccardo Amorati and Elena Pirovano

MLTAV Members: Free registration

MLTAV Non-members: $40

This event is supported by the Victorian government.

Australian Curriculum Review Consultation

Feedback opportunity

Consultation on the first of the Phase 4 Languages - Chinese for Background and First-Language learners, the Framework for Classical Languages, Classical Greek and Latin - is open until 12 September via this link.

VCAA encourages stakeholders involved with these languages to provide feedback, as the final versions released by ACARA will shape the direction of revisions made in Victoria for the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Version 2.0.