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.