Review of Investment in ACT Community Language Schools

The ACT government publicly tabled the review in the Assembly on Thursday 2 December 2021 and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Tara Cheyne, announced the government response to the recommendations. Minister Cheyne reported that there was significant alignment between the review recommendations and actions already progressing to promote and support the learning of community languages in the ACT. Of the 6 recommendations directed to the ACT government, four are agreed to and two are agreed in principal. 

The full report can be downloaded HERE, the government response HERE and the extract from Hansard HERE   

Language diversity and participation across generations and contexts

Generation Literacies international research network hosts a free 2-day research symposium devoted to language diversity and participation across generations and contexts.

• December 10 and 11, 2021
• Online (register your attendance here)
• For researchers in education and language in social life

Language diversity is a feature of all contemporary differentiated societies around the globe. Due to migration, globalization and new communication technologies, individuals need to cope with and be able to use multiple languages in order to actively participate in the society. This symposium contextualizes the potential of multiliteracy throughout an individuals’ lifespan in multiple contexts (academia, education, home and workplace). For one, the symposium looks at the development and support of multiliteracy in the family, through the educational path, until integration in the work place. More specifically, the talks give insight into how families use digital media and how professionals in school deal and foster multiliteracy. Subsequently, as individuals get older, multilateral skills become an asset for professional success, also in academic settings.

Languages Forum Update November 2021

 A update with some language-related news and local activities 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

Local news and activities

• ANU Language Teaching Forum, Mon 8 November 4.15-5.00pm. Contact yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au or see Update for zoom link
• Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL)
• Enrolling now for Year 11 and 12 programs commencing in 2022 
• Japanese Summer School, January 2022
• Spanish Australian Preschool now accepting enrolments for January 2022.
• ACT Bilingual Education Alliance (ACTBEA)
• Follow up to October 'Celebration of Languages' and Video recordings of sessions 
• Sharing Languages and Cultures competition watch this space for results 
• Review of Investment in ACT Community Language Schools now to be released in December
• Locally organised Conferences and Symposium (online)
• New Approaches to Chinese Language Education during and Post COVID 19, Sun 7 November 9.30am-5.30pm  free registration for ACT teachers. 
• Multilingualism, culture-language maintenance and education in Asia and the Pacific. Thurs 18, Fri 19, and Thurs 25 November 

Other news and activities

• PEaCH, free resources supporting parents and educators of bilingual children
• For parents: How to raise a bilingual child and
• For educators: How to support multilingual children 
• Language friendly school initiative - Promoting language-friendly learning environments where all children feel accepted and valued for who they are. 
• Upcoming conferences and symposia related to languages education (all online) 
• Growing TESOL in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander context, Mon 8 November 4.30-6pm
• International Conference on Community/Heritage Language Education, Thurs 11 to Sat 13 Nov.  For full program
• Digital tools for formative assessment practices in EFL tertiary contexts: Bridging the distance between structured and autonomous learning, Fri 12 November 1-3pm.
• Decentring and Diversifying Languages and Cultures, LCNAU Colloquium, Wed 24 - Fri 26 November 
• The Value of Languages in a Multicultural World, Mon 13 - Wed 15 December 2021. 

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

Languages Forum Update September 2021

Some online activities and discussions that may be of interest. 

OVERVIEW

Canberra connections 

• Last days to enter the Sharing Languages and Cultures video competition – for kids in the ACT region from preschool to Year 12. 
• Celebration of Languages: attend one session or make a day of it to find out more about our multilingual city. Sat 16 October 10.30am-3.30pm.  
• Roundtable discussion: Advocating Language: Global Citizenship & Multilingual Skills Wed 29 September 5– 6.30 pm 
• Talk: Hangeul and K-Pop: between ideograms and idols, Thurs 7 October 6:30pm 
• Poetry on the Move Festival 2021 Pivots, Mon 11 October - Sunday 31 October 

Other talks and events 

• The importance of learning Asian languages, recorded panel discussion and Q&A from 23 September 
• Webinar: Indigenous Languages in Ecuador and New Zealand, Wednesday 29 September 8am

For more details, 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

ANU Language Teaching Forum

'Chinese Cultural Salon’ in the low proficiency modern Chinese language courses at ANU

• 4.15-5pm Monday 6 September, 2021
• Online via Zoom (email yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au for the link)
• Presenters: Yanyan Wang, Shuyu Zhang and Huan Wu

Abstract
Teaching languages online is a challenge. The challenge is especially acute when teaching lower proficiency level students during Covid when remote delivery or dual delivery modes are adopted. It has resulted in a decrease in student numbers in the entry level courses of modern Chinese. In order to promote modern Chinese language courses, especially to enhance students’ learning experience, we have set up a ‘Chinese cultural salon’ in which we introduce China, Chinese specific topics and Chinese language learning tools. In this talk, we will introduce the salon and demonstrate how it works through two topics presented in the Salon: Chinese internet buzzwords and the top ten Chinese social media.
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About the ANU Language Teaching Forum (LTF)
The LTF provides a platform for language teachers and researchers in CHL, SLLL and CAIS at the ANU as well as school and community school teachers in the Canberra region to share language teaching experiences and reflections, research studies, and pedagogical practices.

• If you are not on the LTF mailing list but would like to join, please email Yanyin Zhang yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au

Languages Forum Update August 2021

 A update with some language-related news and local activities 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE

• Community languages in the spotlight in the ACT Legislative Assembly  
• Motion put by Greens spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs
• Video of subsequent debate (start at 4.04pm Wednesday 4 August).
• At the Australian National University (ANU)
• Information booths about studies in languages and linguistics at ANU Open Day - Saturday 14 August from 9am to 4pm
• To apply for the Diploma of Languages Semester 1, 2022 
• Organised by the ACT Bilingual Education Alliance (ACTBEA)
• Free Seminar Raising children in more than one language Saturday 14 August 
• Sharing Languages and Cultures, free video competition for students from preschool to Year 12. Closing date 6 September 
• Celebration of languages, Saturday 16 October, mark the date, details to follow
• Workshop organised by ATESOL ACT: Functional Grammar - Making language come alive for English language learners Sat 28 August
• ACT Community Language Schools Association
• Annual dinner Saturday 11 September
• Regular monthly or bi-monthly news updates
• Focus groups August and September to discuss National Languages Plan and Strategy for Languages Education in Australia. 
• More info about the project and who can get involved 
• Let’s imagine 2030. Life is changing, so are libraries. 
• Survey for Canberrans who speak another language at home or have parents born outside Australia:
• Call for volunteer tutors of English to help AMEP students
• The value of languages in a multicultural world - online international conference 13- 15 December 2021.  Call for abstracts deadline 27 August 

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

Teaching Chinese language in a fast-changing world

An ANU Language Teaching Forum talk by Dr Yun Zhou

• Monday 2 August 4.15-5.15pm 
• By zoom. For link contact yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au
• Free and all welcome 

Abstract

I started to convene Modern Chinese 6 (beginning advanced level) in 2020. The textbook titled “Reading into a New China” comes with a subtitle “Deciphering a Changing Society.” However, from the time when the textbook was published in 2017, more changes have taken place and COVID-19 just foregrounded the theme of change in a modern world. Coupled with the shift to online teaching due to the pandemic, I pay more attention to designing the course with up-to-date knowledge and utilising digital tools to create an engaging online learning environment. In my classes, students are immersed in tasks where they use newly learnt grammar points and vocabulary to comprehend current trends and rephrase using their own words. I firmly believe that the small departures from textbook sources to interpret and reflect on real situations not only instils vigour into language learning but also enhances students’ adaptability and resilience, teaching them how to adjust to new circumstances and environments. Through doing so, I came to think about teaching language as more of a way to comprehend a fast-changing world, both far and near.

 

ANU Language Teaching Forum (LTF)

The ANU LTF is organising monthly talks during Semester 2. The LTF is jointly organized by two ANU colleges, CAP and CASS, and provides a platform for language teachers and researchers at ANU as well as school and community school teachers in Canberra and Canberra region to share their language teaching experiences and reflection, research studies, and pedagogical ideas.

Languages Forum Update June 2021

A update with some language-related news and local activities 

OVERVIEW OF UPDATE 

• Sharing languages and cultures: free video competition for students from preschool to Year 12 in the Canberra Region 
• News from ACT Community Language Schools (ACTCLS) 
• Successful Open Day at the Albert Hall on Saturday 15 May 2021 
• Still no news on when the Independent Review of Investment in ACT Community Language Schools will be released 
• Progress of UC short course on Language Teaching Methodology tailored for CLS teachers 
• Patji-Dawes Language Teaching 
• Awards Award winners announced for 2021 
• OAM for previous winner 
• Changes in administration from 2021 
• Reforms to the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) 
• Discussion paper from the Department of Home Affairs about further reforms 
• Call for community feedback on proposed changes (closing date 9 July) 
• Draft position statement on the proposed changes from ACTA (the Australian Council of TESOL Associations) 
• Upcoming conferences and symposia related to languages education 
• 23rd AFMLTA International Languages Conference Online 5 – 6 July 
• International Conference on Community/Heritage Language Education Uni of Sydney 11-13 November. Call for papers, symposia and posters open until 1 July 
• Multiculturalism, multilingualism and culture-language education in Asia and the Pacific ANU and online 18-19 and 25 November. Call for abstracts open until Saturday 31 July 
• Decentring and Diversifying Languages and Cultures, LCNAU National Colloquium 24-26 November, hybrid conference, Call for Papers open until 28 June 

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

Conferences and Symposia related to Languages Education

International Conference on Community/Heritage Language Education

• Thursday 11 – Saturday 13 November 2021
• Sydney Institute of Community Languages Education, University of Sydney 

This conference will explore community/heritage language education and its key role in maintaining and developing intergenerational linguistic and cultural understandings. Bringing together researchers, school leaders, teachers, community members, parents and students, the conference will be organised in two strands. Strand 1 will focus on the latest research into community/heritage languages education. Strand 2 other will focus on effective classroom practice. 

Featured speakers

• Joseph Lo Bianco, Professor of Language and Literacy Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.
• Maria Carreira, professor at the University of California and co-director of the National Heritage Language Resource Center.
• Vicky Macleroy, Reader in Education and Head of the Centre for Language, Culture and Learning at Goldsmiths, University of London.
• Mahmoud Al-Batal, Professor of Arabic at the American University in Beirut.
• Ingrid Piller, Distinguished Professor of Applied Linguistics at Macquarie University, Sydney.

Call for papers, symposia and posters now open. Abstracts (250–300 words) due by 1 July 2021.

For more information: https://sesw-events.sydney.edu.au/calendar/international-conference-on-community-heritage-language-education/

Multiculturalism, multilingualism and culture-language education in Asia and the Pacific

• Thursday 18, Friday 19, and Tuesday 25 November 2021
• Mainly online symposium with possibility of some hybrid face-to-face participation.

This symposium is interested in the socio-cultural-historical-political-economic-educational dimensions and challenges that multiculturalism/multilingualism pose in the modern context in Asia and the Pacific. These straddle intertwined themes such inter-ethnic relations, peace and harmony, indigenous minority rights, culture-language interrelation, culture-language maintenance, language and education policy, and local/regional ethnolinguistic economic vitality.

Invited speakers

• Prof Miriam Meyerhoff (Oxford University) [on multilingualism in NZ]
• Dr Fiona Willans (The University of the South Pacific) [on multilingualism in the Pacific]
• Prof Anthony Liddicoat (University of Warwick) [on multilingual education or language education policy in East and Southeast Asia]
• Dr. Ruth Singer (University of Melbourne): [on the sociolinguistics of multilingual Indigenous Australian communities]
• Prof Yongyan Zheng (Fudan University) [on multilingualism and language policy in China] 

Call for abstracts (500 words max) open until Saturday 31 July 2021

For more information: Wayan Arka (wayan.arka@anu.edu.au), Duck-Young Lee (Duck.Lee@anu.edu.au), Carmel O'Shannessy (Carmel.O'Shannessy@anu.edu.au) or Yanyin Zhang (yanyin.zhang@anu.edu.au).

Decentring and Diversifying Languages and Cultures  - 6th National Colloquium of LCNAU (Languages and Cultures Network for Australian Universities) 

• Wednesday 24 November - Friday 26 November 2021
• a hybrid conference, online and in person The University of Queensland, St Lucia

As we continue to adjust to a new (ab)normal reality and to tackle the many challenges faced by an increasingly vulnerable education sector, we invite colleagues to consider critically how the disruption of what it means to teach and research in the field of languages and cultures has been enacted in their own contexts.

Call for Papers open until 28 June
Submissions on topics addresses the colloquium theme particularly welcome - how de/re-centring strategies may have manifested and enhanced the diversification of our teaching and research practices to consider more accessible and inclusive approaches (taking into account questions of gender, race, social class, etc.). However, papers covering other aspects of praxis and lines of inquiry relating to languages and cultures, particularly at the tertiary level, will also be considered.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers

• Professor Felicity Meakins, ARC Future Fellow, School of Languages and Cultures, University of Queensland
• Associate Professor Ursula Lanvers, Department of Education, University of York, York, UK
• Dr Robyn Ober, IRC Fellow, Batchelor Institute

For more details: https://www.lcnau.org/colloquia/#2021

 

Upcoming talks and workshops for language teachers

Roundtable on Supporting Teaching Advanced Japanese in Australia

• Wednesday 19 May 5pm

Professor Chihiro Thomson (UNSW) and Associate Professor Claire Maree (UMelb) will discuss 

• the ‘challenges’ and ‘strengths’ of Advanced Japanese language teaching in Australian Universities and
• speak to their own approaches and initiatives such as;
• Heritage Language Learning Project
• Diversity in Japanese language education
• Advanced learners as critical/proactive users
• Connections with wider society – internships & mobility
• Free and online 

Hosted by the ANU Japan Institute, co-chaired by A/Prof Carol Hayes from ANU and A/Prof Ikuko Nakane from University of Melbourne and supported by the Australian Government through the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For more information and to register: https://anu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcldumrrD8vHNf0MSyFsau5co8hDLGj7kf5

Three Masterclasses organised by the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools

Free and online 

1. Teaching Pragmatics: Creating context in the community language classroom.

• Wednesday 26 May, 7pm to 8pm

A workshop led by Dr Jill Murray, Honorary Lecturer from Macquarie University, exploring

• the importance of the right kind vocabulary, grammar and communication for real-life language situations
• pragmatics and its relationship to cultural awareness, knowledge values and beliefs
• the importance of culturally appropriate politeness, directness and correct forms of address as well as knowing topics and behaviours to avoid.

2. Using Book Creator to produce and share personalised multimedia eBooks

• Monday 31 May 7-8pm

3. Promoting formative assessment with (synchronous and asynchronous) quiz tools

• Monday 7 June 7-8pm

Workshops 2 and 3 presented by Joe Dale, an independent languages consultant from the UK

To register and for more details: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/may-and-june-masterclasses-26-31-may-and-7-june-registration-154343205683

ANU Language Teaching Forum

• Monday 3 May 4.15pm
• Topic: 'The Grammar of Political Leadership Instructions' 
• Speaker: Negar Davari Ardakani
• Online delivery via Zoom

Abstract: We are constantly shaping our world through our verbal and nonverbal acts amongst which political leadership communications are specifically crucial. This presentation aims at looking into the grammar of instructions as represented in Coronavirus lockdown speeches delivered by the two prime ministers of New Zealand and Britain and the chancellor of Germany in March 2020. The talk reports part of a broader study of communicational strategies and gender linguistic stereotypes of the speeches in a framework of discourse analysis and language planning and will shed light on the effect of the leaders’ political positions on their grammatical choices for giving instructions. A spectrum of lexical and grammatical elements used for issuing explicit/implicit and convergent/divergent instructions is suggested which could be thought-provoking for the function-based language teaching. The talk could be considered as an implicit support for the idea of the emergence of a new political rhetoric which questions the normative so-called dominant “male” political discourse.

For Zoom link and/or to be added to the email list for these monthly forums, email Wesley.Lim@anu.edu.au

Languages Forum Update April 2021

A update with some language-related news and local activities

UPCOMING EVENTS 

• MotherTongue: Transporting Words, 6.30pm Friday 16 April
• Teacher development opportunities
• Collaboration,creativity and formative assessment in Languages, Online: Thurs 22 April 7pm – 9.30pm and Thurs 29 April 7pm – 9.30pm
• Free webinar: Translation in the Multilingual Language Classroom: Rationale, Roles and Activity Design.Thursday 22 April 9 – 10.30am
• Free videos of Professional Development courses and talks organised by the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools

OTHER ACT NEWS

• Languages at the ANU
• ANU Language Teaching Forum recommencing in 2021
• Diploma of Languages re-commenced in Semester 1
• Asian and Pacific languages at the ANU School of Culture History and Language in second semester 2021
• Winter School in Gamilaraay 2 commences 1 July
• Language programs in Canberra starting in Term 2
• Italian with Canberra Dante Alighieri Society
• French with the Alliance Française de Canberra   
• Indonesian with Australia Indonesia Association ACT
• and many others - see 
• https://actbilingual.weebly.com/other-language-programs.html for adults and
• https://actbilingual.weebly.com/language-programs-for-children.html for children
• ACT community language schools  
• Independent Review of ACT Community Language Schools now complete
• University of Canberra partnership with the Spanish Speakers Association to deliver Teaching Methodology course to ACT community language teachers
• Libraries ACT - Language-related activities and resources:
• Online Bilingual Story Times and Giggle and Wiggle
• English conversation classes 
• Books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and newspapers in 23 languages other than English
• Mango Languages – free online language-learning system
• Call for volunteer literacy tutors to assist learners who speak English as an additional language.
• To keep up to date with ACT Library events and activities, follow them on Facebook or visit their website

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL  

• From Western Australia  (WA)
• Plans to develop resources for Noongar language teaching in WA schools
• Hindi, Tamil and Korean will start being taught in WA schools from 2023
• Family languages in mainstream education
• Examples from Ireland: Statement of their value  and how to encourage their use in the classroom
• Relevance for ACT schools? 
• Interesting discussion about the process and politics of translation on ABC RN Radio

For a full copy of the 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

International Mother Language Day activities 2021

Observed every year on 21 February, International Mother Language Day celebrates and promotes linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Here are some of the things happening in Canberra related to the day and its aims.

1. International Mother Language Day Walk

• Sunday 21 February
• 10.30am: meet at the International Flags Display near the lake behind Questacon
• 11am: start the walk along the lake shore and across Kings Avenue Bridge 
• Free event for all ages and all languages

Sing in your languages as you walk, wear traditional dress and wave a banner or poster to raise awareness of multilingual Canberra  

Organised by Canberra-based International Mother Language Movement. 

For details phone Ziaul on 0411 031 942, email IMLM.21Feb@gmail.com or see the article at https://citynews.com.au/2021/walk-highlights-the-value-of-all-languages/?fbclid=IwAR1AJo1t7MATGl-UsMGRJTQI1j_WSQGHkUZPgqc92BOwzsYcIBwN7CAEPOg

2. Activities at your local branch of Libraries ACT

• · Friday 19 February to Monday 1 March

Ngunnawal word activity: After collecting your Ngunnawal Animal Word Search sheet from friendly library staff see if you can find the words around the library. BYO pen or pencil. Suitable for children and adventurous adults

'Say Hello’ activity: Did you know that over 90 languages are spoken in Canberra? Visit your local library and show us how to write hello in your family language.

More details at https://www.facebook.com/LibrariesACT