September 2021

Babel

Volume 55, Issue 3 of Babel was published and distributed to all MLTA members in August 2021. 

This issue features an extended article by Professor Anne-Marie Morgan based on her research on language learning, provision and policy initiatives in each of the constituent parts of the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) as well as in the Republic of Ireland.

Anne-Marie is Professor and Dean of the College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University and is currently Vice President of the AFMLTA.  She is also a lead researcher on the Australian Government and AFMLTA project to develop a national plan and strategy for languages education. The research detailed in her article will greatly inform the development of the national plan.

You can read this edition of Babel here on the AFMLTA website

Update

The National Languages Plan and Strategy (NLPS) project is being managed by the AFMLTA for the federal government. To date this project has conducted a number of surveys among teachers of languages,  including First Languages (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages), in schools and in community language settings. The surveys have elicited interesting data on the current state of languages education (program provision and participation) in these settings and on the profile and professional learning needs of teachers of languages.

During August and September, many teachers of languages have taken up an invitation to participate in one of 16 one-hour online Focus Groups that were held as part of the consultation processes for the NLPS project.

The Focus Groups have provided opportunities for teachers and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft goals and recommendations to be included in the development of the National Languages Plan and Strategy. 

Professional Learning

2021 Chinese Language Teachers' Federation of Australia (CLFTA) National Conference

This conference which was to be held in Darwin on 1-2 October 2021 has been postponed. New date TBA.

Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE) Spring Conference 2021

28-29 October 2021 - online conference

Sydney Institute of Community Languages Education (SICLE) International  Conference

11-13 November - online conference

Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities (LCNAU) National Colloquium 2021