Languages Forum Update November 2019

A short update with some language related news and activities

• Languages Party Canberra, Glebe Park Sunday 1 December
• Tongue Tied and Fluent: exploring Australia through the many languages we speak: interesting series of programs on ABC RN
• News from the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL): Year 11 and 12 Tamil program from 2020 and budget proposal to strengthen languages education in the ACT:
• Series of short videos from the ANU to help students become successful university language learners
• Connecting CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) teachers, Special Interest Group established by the AFMLTA and ALL UK
• Interpreters and translators in Australia invited to take part in a national Survey on Translation and Interpreting Professional Development

Full details can be accessed HERE

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

Languages Afternoon Tea

Come and meet others with a love of languages and language learning at this informal networking event.

• Games and fun language activities for all ages
• Explore bilingual storytelling
• Find out about the African Talking Drum in communication
• Share ideas about raising children in more than one language 

WHEN:     Sunday 3 November 2pm-4pm
WHERE:  Latin American Cultural Centre, 28 Astrolabe Street, Red Hill, ACT 2603
COST:      Free and all welcome, but booking required to for catering purposes. Via Eventbrite

For more, details contact canberrabilingual@gmail.com or phone Mandy on 0408 089 235 (after 23 October)

For poster CLICK HERE

Organised by the ACT Bilingual Education Alliance with the support of the ACT Government's Participation (Multicultural) Grants Program 2018-19 and Canberra Multicultural Community Forum Inc

October ANU Language Teaching Forum

• Monday 14 October, 4.15 – 5.15 pm 
• Room W3.03, Level 3, Baldessin Precinct Building #110, ANU.
• Presenter: Negar Davari Ardakani from Persian Language Studies in CAIS 
• Topic: Discourse Awareness in Language Teaching: a Reflection on My Teaching Philosophy

Everyone involved in language teaching and research within the ANU and in the wider community are welcome to participate in these forum meetings. The main objective is to foster the exchange of research and new approaches in language education.

For more information and/or to join the mailing list, contact Wesley Lim at Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au

Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry

• Monday 14 October, 7pm to 9pm
• Smith's Alternative, 76 Alinga, Civic.
• Free Entry.

Come and share your words or just enjoy the multilingual program. 

The feature for the evening - celebrating the International Year of Indigenous Languages - will be father and daughter Deveni and Salote Temu. They will perform traditional Aroma song and dance of coastal Papua New Guinea, share Peroveta missionary song in mixed Aroma, Motu and other Pacific languages, and take part in a discussion about knowledge, identity and language. 

There are a limited number of open mic spots available for the night. Those interested in presenting are invited to share poetry in, or including, a language other than English, or a mix of languages. 

Each spot is up to 5 minutes long. You can read or recite, and all styles of poetry are welcome - traditional forms, free verse, slam style or rap!  You can include a brief summary or introduction in English, or a full translation if you prefer.  To reserve a spot, email mothertonguemic@gmail.com

This Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry Night is part of the Poetry on the Move Festival Fringe. For more details of the festival, see https://www.poetryonthemove.net/

September ANU Language Teaching Forum

• Monday 16 September, 4.15 – 5.15 pm 
• Room W3.03, Level 3, Baldessin Precinct Building #110, ANU.
• Presenter: Josh Brown from Italian Studies
• Topic: On ‘Crisis’ and the Pessimism of Disciplinary Discourse in Foreign Languages

Abstract

This paper investigates how the disciplinary discourse on the contemporary state of foreign languages in universities (hastily) refers to these disciplines as being in ‘crisis’. This practice is nearly as old as the Humanities itself, and has been employed periodically since at least the 1940s. Despite a period of increasing foreign language enrolment in the first decade of the twenty-first century in Australia, calls of ‘crisis’ came from across the languages sector. In tracing the use of the term ‘crisis’, I show how the sector has long been characterised by such alarmist terminology, even when reality suggests otherwise. A topical report of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, which shows increased language enrolment over the period 2002-11, leads one to believe that things at universities may not be as bad as first thought. These data are contrasted against total enrolment in languages other than English from the most recent statistics available in 2016 from the Modern Language Association. This paper has implications for language enrolments not just in Australia, but around the world.

Everyone involved in language teaching and research within the ANU and in the wider community are welcome to participate in these forum meetings. The main objective is to foster the exchange of research and new approaches in language education. 

For more information and/or to join the mailing list, contact Wesley Lim at Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au

SBS National Languages Competition 2019

This national competition organised by SBS Radio aims to encourage and celebrate a love of learning languages in Australia. Languages learners from 4 years old to adult are invited to tell SBS “How does learning a language make a world of difference to you?” 

• Open to Australian residents learning an additional language, including Auslan and English 
• Five categories: 4 – 7 yrs old, 8 – 12 yrs old, 13 – 15 yrs old, 16 – 18 yrs old and 18+ 
• Prizes: Apple iPads and Apple AirPods plus trip to award ceremony in Sydney in November 2019
• Entries close 5pm 27 September 2019

​For more information: www.sbs.com.au/nlc19     For poster click HERE

ANU Innovative Language Education Symposium

• Thursday 5 September to Saturday 7 September 2019
• Sir Roland Wilson Building ANU, 120 McCoy Circuit ACT 2600
• Free and open to the public

The symposium brings together national and international leaders in language education to map out their visions of what constitutes innovative language education today and share and discuss the pressing national and international issues surrounding language education.

It offers participants the opportunity to learn about the latest research in Asian language teaching and hands-on opportunities to learn about developments in language teaching pedagogy.

Through this study of policy, research and pedagogy, the symposium will further debate about how Australia could set its course to lead the way forward in language education in the Asian Century.

For program and to register: CLICK HERE

ANGLS conference in Canberra

The 2019 conference of the Australian Network of Government Languages Schools (ANGLS) was held on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August at Telopea Park School. It was hosted by the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL), a not-for-profit organisation established in 2016 with the aim of providing expanded opportunities for language learning to complement existing programs offered in the ACT. 

The conference brought together educational leaders from government funded schools in Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory that offer language programs to over 25,000 students who cannot access their chosen languages at their own schools.

One of the things discussed at the conference was the undertaking by the federal government, announced on Friday 2 August 2019, to invest in language studies and to develop a national languages strategy to support language teaching and learning in Australia (see https://ministers.education.gov.au/tehan/investing-languages-studies-australia) 

Following the conference, ANGLS issued a media release that calls on all Australian governments to recognise the huge benefits of helping our students become truly global citizens by boosting the status of language learning both in word and in deed. 

"It is widely recognised  that in terms of both global and local imperatives, Australia needs to do better in fostering languages learning by students, and in strengthening existing multilingual capacities of students who do already have languages skills, in all Australian school systems"    

You can read the full ANGLS media release at: angls_media_release_2019-08-19.pdf. 

A podcast for language lovers in Australia and beyond

Great initiative from two young people in Melbourne who are promoting language learning by talking about their own experiences

https://www.languagelovers.com.au/podcast

Embedding Indigenous Perspectives and Making Connections

A mini conference organised in the UN International Year of Indigenous Languages by the Modern Language Teachers Association (MLTA) ACT Inc

• Saturday 17 August 2019
• 8.30am (registration) 9am (start) – 2pm
• Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching and Learning, 51 Fremantle Drive, Stirling, 2611, ACT
• Morning tea and lunch provided
• FREE for members of MLTA ACT or MLTA in other states and territories
• $50 for Non-MLTA members 

Program

Welcome to Country: Tyronne Bell, Ngunawal Elder and traditional custodian

Presentations 

• Promotion and preservation of Ngunawal culture and language, Tyronne Bell
• Learning and speaking First Nations languages in Australia, Professor Jane Simpson, Chair of Indigenous Linguistics ANU, and Deputy Director, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
• Belconnen High School's Connecting to Country journey, Anne O'Neill, Executive Teacher Languages and Aboriginal Programs at Belconnen High School
• The Victorian School of Languages (VSL), its role and services, Frank Merlino, Principal of the VSL  
• Breaking through to consistency of teacher judgements about student achievement, Amanda Pentti, President of the AFMLTA

The MLTA ACT Inc. acknowledge and thank the ACT ED Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Section for their generous support of this Mini Conference

Intext Book Co. & Language International Bookshop will have a display during the conference

Registration required by COB Tuesday 13 August at https://www.trybooking.com/535199

More information from MLTA ACT Executive Secretary: Annemarie.Power@ed.act.edu.au

Languages Forum Update July 2019

Some language related news and upcoming activities for your information. Full Update available HERE

Upcoming events

• ANU Language Teaching Forum, Mon 22 July 4.15 – 5.15 pm
• 2019 Canberra WritersFestival, Wed 21 to Sun 25 August
• Burmese Literature Today, Tues 27 August, 4.30 - 7.30 pm
• ANU Language Education Symposium, Thur 5 September to Sat 7 September
• Melbourne Language Event, Sat 21 and Sun 22 September
• Indian Voices: Translation workshop and reading, Wed 23 and Thur 24 October

News and Resources

• Indigenous language teachers win Patji-Dawes Award 2019
• Free Vietnamese resources for young children
• Parents of children enrolled in community language schools invited to participate in a research project

Some opportunities for language learning and development

• Burmese and other Asian languages at ANU
• French with Alliance Française de Canberra
• Indonesian language evening classes 
• Italian with Dante Alighieri Society of Canberra
• Mandarin Chinese
• Language Exchange on ANU campus with ACYA
• Mandarin CommunityTutoring Project
• Free Mandarin conversation group at Woden library on Friday lunchtimes
• Polyglot Club ANU, Mondays 5.30-7pm 
• ANU Centre for Continuing Education
• CIT Solutions 
• Languages at ANU
• Overview: language programs for adults in ACT region
• Language programs for children

Feedback and contributions to future Updates welcome

Pop culture of Sydney: The multilingual turn?

This talk organised by the Macquarie Multilingualism Research Group would be worth attending if you are in Sydney on Saturday 29 June 

• WHERE?   NSW State Library Metcalfe Theatre
• WHEN?     Saturday 29 June 2019, 11am – 1pm
• COST?        Free

Speakers include: Sylvia Liu (Fusion Culture Group), Thang Ngo (Noodlies / Identity Communication), Hilary Hughes (NSW School of Languages), Kevin Pagaddinnimath (South Asian Film, Arts & Literature Festival), and Phil Benson, Lauren Gorfinkel & Sarah Keith (Macquarie University). There will also be a couple of mystery guests!

Bookings and more details at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pop-culture-of-sydney-the-multilingual-turn-tickets-63628497549

ACT government commits to action on languages education in the ACT Multicultural Framework

The ACT government has committed to making language learning "effective, valued and promoted across the community" as part of the Strategic Objective 3: 'Capitalising on the Benefits of our Cultural Diversity' in the ACT Multicultural Framework: Second Action Plan 2019-2020

Priority actions listed (numbered 17-22 in the Plan):

• Undertake an independent review on investment in ACT Community Language Schools.
• Develop an action plan to encourage, improve and support language education in Canberra schools as part of implementing the Future of Education Strategy.
• Continue to work with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community on languages and culture curriculum.
• Support and further develop the Languages Showcase at National Multicultural Festival.
• Collect and promote the oral and printed history of established multicultural communities in the ACT.
• Engage with the multicultural community to promote and support cultural and linguistic diversity through Libraries ACT resources and learning programs in languages other than English.

A full copy of the Action Plan can be accessed HERE

A call for comprehensive language education by the Australian Academy of the Humanities

As part of an 8 point plan to Humanise the Future for Australia, the Australian Academy of the Humanities has called on the next government of Australia to:

• Point 7: Invest in intercultural capability through comprehensive language education

The national deficit in language capability is one of Australia’s great unrecognised skills shortages. Australia’s national effort in sustaining language learning has faltered. This is a result of policy failure, not lack of demand. The ability to communicate, engage and build trust across cultures at local, regional and global levels is as urgent as ever before. A nationally coordinated approach that balances the maintenance of Australia’s community and Indigenous language skills with acquisition of strategic language capabilities is urgently required to support the full range of Australia’s cross-cultural engagements, both at home and abroad.

For a full copy of their plan see: http://www.humanities.org.au/advice/2019election/ 

Languages Forum Update May 2019

Some language related news and upcoming activities for your information. Full Update available HERE. 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Mother Tongue multilingual poetry night, Mon 13 May 7 pm 
• ANU Language Teaching Forum, Mon 13 May 4.15 – 5.15 pm
• Call for English teachers to assist ANU PhD student research  
• NCACL Cultural diversity database
• To read about the background
• To access the free data base: 
• Language resources and services at ACT libraries
• Books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and newspapers in 23 languages other than English 
• Learn over 70 world languages, basic or in-depth courses, with Mango Languages (free) 
• Free English conversation groups and/or learn in your own language through Mango languages app (Click on 'Adults')  
• Bilingual books and story times for children and their families (click on 'Children')
• Resources from the UK National Literacy Trust
• For multilingual families
• For professionals working with CALD families
• Some more opportunities for language learning and development
• Arabic weekend course for beginners 1 and 2 June 
• French with Alliance Française de Canberra 
• Indonesian Term 2 classes beginning this week 
• Japanese with the Awesome Japanese and Culture School 
• Persian 5 week course starting Tuesday 7 May 
• Commence Year 11 in French or German now to complete a major by the end of 2020
• Polyglot Club at ANU Conversation groups in French, Spanish, German and Danish 
• More language learning opportunities
• For adults
• For children

Feedback and contributions to future Updates welcome.

Languages Forum Update March 2019

Quite a lot happening in the language space in the next two months!

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Upcoming events

• Public forum: The benefits of bilingualism and how to maintain your heritage language, Saturday 23 March, Woden 
• Languages of Sydney: the people and the passion, Saturday 30 March, NSW State Library, Sydney 
• Languages afternoon tea: free networking event for lovers of languages and language learning, Sunday 7 April, Red Hill. 
• How languages are taught – free workshop on second language pedagogy, Thursday 11 April and Friday 12 April, ANU
• Chinese language and culture
• School Holiday Chinese Culture Camp, Sat 13 April to Thurs 18 April, Red Hill
• First ACT Chinese Recital Competition, open to all students learning Chinese in the ACT, Sunday 5 May, Red Hill
• Mother tongue multilingual poetry, open mic, Mon 13 May, Smith’s Alternative, Canberra City

Other news

• Language education initiatives at the ANU
• Support for language learning included in the ACT Multicultural Framework second action plan 2019-20
• Proceeding of conference: Language keepers: preserving the indigenous languages of the Pacific'  now available online 
• Survey into community English programs by FECCA and SCoA for participants and providers 
• Interested in establishing a German language immersion program in Canberra?

For more details, CLICK HERE

Feedback and contributions to future Updates welcome. Please send to languagesact@gmail.com

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) celebration

​Join a walk across Kings Avenue Bridge to celebrate the many languages spoken in Canberra and to promote the value of multilingualism. 

Hear a recital of music from around the world ringing out from the National Carillion from 11am to 12 noon, accompanied by songs in various languages performed by Tobias Cole and his choral group from Lyneham High School. 

• Meet at the International Flags Display behind Questacon at 10.30am Sunday 24 February
• Bring a banner or wear something to indicate the language with which you or your family identify

The walk will end near the National Police Memorial in Kings Park, where you can enjoy a picnic or sausage sizzle and continue this celebration of International Mother Language Day (21 February) and the International Year of Indigenous Languages

For  a poster about the event:  CLICK HERE

For information about IMLD and the group behind the Canberra walk: http://imlm21.org.au/

For more about the International Year of Indigenous Languages: https://en.iyil2019.org/

Focus on languages at the Multicultural Festival

Celebrate the many languages spoken in Canberra at the Multicultural Festival in Civic on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 February.

• Enjoy multilingual poets, singers and dancers at the Languages Showcase on Stage 2 on Saturday 2pm–5pm 
• Enter a free competition for a chance to win $250! 
• Join a free bilingual tour of a CMAG art exhibition: German 2pm, Spanish 3pm (Saturday), Italian 2pm (Sunday) 
• Bilingual story times and language activities for children, Civic Library, Saturday 10am-3pm, and more fun with languages at CMAG on Sunday 11am-4pm 
• Multilingual Canberra and other language-related stalls in Civic Square Sunday 11am-4pm 

For more Festival information: https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/

Languages Forum Update January 2019

Now is a good time to act if one of your new year resolutions was to learn a new language or improve on your current language skills. This Update has some links to how you can find a suitable program. It also has information about some exciting language related activities coming up in the Canberra area, particularly at the Multicultural Festival (NMF) in February. 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Language programs in Canberra enrolling now 
• Chinese for adults at several local community language schools 
• Free community tutoring project for those already studying Chinese or have learned it in the past 
• English - professional communication and study skills at CIT
• French with the Alliance Française 
• Indonesian: vocational classes for all levels  
• Modern Greek for adults 
• Other language programs for adults and for children 
• Opportunities to learn or teach languages at ANU 
• Mother tongue multilingual poetry
• Summer Tongues Monday 28 January 7pm-9pm  
• Languages Showcase at NMF Saturday 16 February 2pm–5pm,
• Languages highlighted at the NMF Friday to Sunday 15-17 February
• Year of indigenous languages 
• Conference at National Library of Australia Saturday 9 February and Sunday 10 February Language keepers: preserving the indigenous languages of the Pacific
• Nominate an outstanding teacher for the Patji-Dawes language teaching award 
• Canberra walk for International Mother Language Day, Sunday 24 February 2019

For full copy of the Update, click HERE.

Feedback and contributions to future Updates welcome.