Thursday, October 20, 2022

Languages Forum Update October 2022

A short Update with information about a number of upcoming language-related events and some language related news.

UPCOMING EVENTS
NEWS
Full copy of Update available HERE

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Languages Forum Update September 2022

Here is a short Update for September 2022 with some language related news and upcoming events.

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

News

Upcoming events

For full copy of Update CLICK HERE

If you have feedback, contributions for future updates, or would like to join the mailing list for these occasional updates, please email languagesact@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

August meeting of the ANU Language Teaching Forum

Connected in isolation: Creating 'real-life' language experiences amid a pandemic

Presentation by Eve Chen
  • Monday 1 August 4.15pm – 5pm
  • Online by Zoom
  • Free and open to all with an interest in teaching languages
Abstract
The still ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic has significantly changed the way language courses are taught and learned. With courses switched online or offered in hybrid mode, language course convenors are faced with new challenges of engaging students and creating real-life language experiences when the majority of the class are studying online or in isolation. These challenges are particularly real and present in the two Cantonese courses I convene, as more than 70% of my students were or are still stranded overseas or interstate and had/have to study in isolation during 2020-2022. In this presentation, I share with examples how I connect students with each other and with Cantonese through tailored class activities and assessment items. 

Contact Wesley Lim, Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au, for the Zoom link and to find out more about the  Language Teaching Forum 

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Languages in the draft ACT Multicultural Recognition Act

The ACT Multicultural Recognition Act is a new law in the ACT to demonstrate the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in our community.

Feedback from community consultations held in 2021 included a call for more specific recognition of the importance of languages and linguistic diversity. The government has listened. For example, number 7 of the 8 proposed Principles in the Multicultural Charter reads:

  • language is central to the preservation and appreciation of cultural identity, and you are free and are supported to use, preserve and promote your language
The government is now calling for community comment on the draft Act. 

To voice your ideas about languages and to see and comment on other parts of the Act, including proposals about how the ACT government and its Directorates should liaise with the community to promote and implement the vision enshrined in the Act, see https://yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/multicultural-recognition-act

That page has quick links to how you can share your views through:
  1. Leaving a quick comment
  2. Completing a survey
  3. Uploading a submission
  4. Attending a consultation session
  5. Sending feedback directly to oma@act.gov.au

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Languages Forum Update May 2022

Here is an overview of  a short Update for May 2022 with some language related news and upcoming events.

Upcoming events and activities
Other news
For full copy of Update CLICK HERE

If you have any feedback, contributions for future updates, or would like to join the mailing list for these occasional updates, please email languagesact@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

April meeting of the ANU Language Teaching Forum: The Canberra Academy of Languages

The presentation at the April meeting of the ANU Language Teaching Forum is 

The Canberra Academy of Languages: addressing the need for a central delivery option for senior secondary languages to supplement school-based languages education

Presenter: Frank Keighley
  • Monday 4 April 4.15pm-5pm
  • Online via Zoom
  • Free and all welcome 
Abstract
The Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL) was established in 2016 to expand opportunities for language learning in the Canberra region. Our vision is that students for whom it is a priority to consolidate and improve their proficiency in a language other than English can do so by the time they complete secondary schooling. Provision of a language learning pathway in senior secondary education is notoriously difficult in Australia, not just in the ACT, particularly as a result of the attrition that occurs through the high school years from Year 7 to Year 10, which results in limited viable options for schools to form viable classes for continuing students in Years 11-12. In most jurisdictions, but not in the ACT, there are alternative provisions that complement day-school language education programs, such as the schools of languages in NSW, Victoria and SA, the language centres in NT (Darwin and Alice Springs), and the distance education centres in Qld (such as those in Rockhampton and Cairns). CAL is an attempt to address the lack of an equivalent in the ACT, with the intention that the territory’s government will eventually take on responsibility for running this.

For some years, CAL has been advocating this with ACT Government. In successive submissions, from our experience in delivering CAL’s programs, we have elaborated the delivery model and the transition plan, so that there is now a substantial picture available in terms of the proposed practical implementation of the CAL model as a government-run centre for senior secondary languages education, meeting the diverse range of needs among ACT students and families, and complementing (not replacing) the provision languages programs in Canberra’s senior secondary day schools. This implementation plan, and discussion arising, will be the focus of the seminar.

Zoom link: (https://anu.zoom.us/j/3114904953?pwd=bzE1NXdQVGJvVElnSUl5Z3B1RFNvdz09      Passcode  296860  

The ANU Language Teaching Forum provides a platform for language teachers and researchers at the ANU as well as teachers from schools and community schools in Canberra and Canberra region to share their language teaching experiences and reflections, research studies, and pedagogical practices.

For more or to join the mailing list, email Wesley.Llim@anu.edu.au or yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au.

 

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Languages Forum Update March 2022

Here is a short Update for March 2022 with some language related news and upcoming events.

Upcoming events
Other News 
For full copy of Update CLICK HERE

If you have feedback, contributions for future updates, or would like to join the mailing list for these occasional updates, please email languagesact@gmail.com

Sunday, February 6, 2022

Languages Forum Update February 2022

First Update of 2022 with some language-related news and local activities

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Upcoming Activities
Language program news 
Other news
For full copy of Update CLICK HERE

If you have feedback, contributions for future updates, or would like to join the mailing list for these occasional updates, please email languagesact@gmail.com