From Dutch Language News, May 2011

1. Jongerenborrel Canberra

De Jongerenborrel or 'DE BORREL' is a monthly get together for everyone who wants to learn and practise Dutch in the ACT.

Eerste donderdag van de maand (the first Thursday of the month) everyone is welcome to the Porkbarrel on King George Terrace, Parkes opposite of Old Parliament House, Parkes, ACT from 6pm until 8pm. Many tend to come before 6pm to enjoy the great food served at this restaurant.

For more information email Irmina on jongerenborrel@grapevine.com.au or just come along and join in on the fun!

2. Dutch language in Australia

Recently the Dutch language in Australia has been under fire and, even though there appears to be plenty of interest in learning this language, there is little information on where and how to.

In order to improve the flow of information, an overview of the number of Dutch teachers in Australia is being made and an assessment of their availability and level of teaching will be conducted. If you are interested in teaching Dutch or have any information that might be useful regarding this topic please send an email to proud2bedutch@gmail.com

Have you say on the national curriculum for languages

The draft ‘shape’ paper for the new national curriculum for languages is now available (see www.acara.edu.au/languages.html). The paper discusses key concepts in learning languages, the range of learners, and possible pathways for learning; and outlines how curriculum and achievement standards may be organised.

Educators, parents, students, and members of the wider community are invited to read the paper and provide comments via an online questionnaire before 8 April (see web address above). These comments will be considered when finalizing the paper, which will then guide the development of the languages curriculum for children studying in Australia from Kindergarten level to Year 12.  

All interested are also welcome to attend a meeting at the University of Canberra to further explore the paper and share your views with others.

When?  7pm Thursday 31 March 2011.  

Please contact mandy.scott@anu.edu.au or on 0408 089 235 to confirm your attendance and/or for more information.

Languages for all Canberrans

This discussion paper will form the basis of a whole-of-government language policy for the ACT.  It recognises Canberra as a multilingual city and the importance of both English and other languages for all. The paper also makes commitments about language rights and language services as well as language teaching and learning and community language maintenance.

It is important for all interested in languages to send feedback on the paper to the ACT government – to show our interest, congratulate the government on the parts we agree with, and suggest what could be added or explained more clearly. Please consider commenting directly to the government (see www.dhcs.act.gov.au/matsia for copy of the paper and addresses for feedback). Deadline for feedback is 28 February.

All are also welcome to come along to a public meeting to explore and respond to the discussion paper: Thursday 17 February, 6.30-8.30pm at ANU or Sunday 20 February, 2-4pm, Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre, Civic.


Contact mandy.scott@anu.edu.au for details.

What's happening?

The October Forum Update showed some of the great things people and organisations in the Canberra region are doing about promoting languages and their teaching and learning.

What has happened since then?  Please let us know by leaving a comment below. This information can then be incorporated into future Forum Updates.

ACT Languages Policy Discussions

The ACT Government has released a discussion paper on developing an ACT Languages Policy and is seeking your views.

They are inviting comments on what the community believes should be covered in an ACT Languages Policy by 28 February 2011.

The Languages Forum is planning to hold a Languages Forum meeting to discuss our reaction to the various aspects of the policy early in 2011.

Languages and Canberra's Centenary Celebrations

Many people have voiced enthusiastic support for the idea of constructing a statue, mural, or mosaic in central Canberra to celebrate the multilingual nature of Canberra during our 100 years celebrations in 2013.  This would be a powerful symbol of the important role of languages in our past (including Aboriginal languages of course), today, and for the future of Canberra as a cosmopolitan international city and national capital. This idea was inspired by a fantastic languages statue in Vancouver Canada. 

Ideas for the project have included

• a mosaic with the words ‘Long live Canberra - it is my home’ written in all the languages that are spoken and represented by residents in Canberra
• a competition for the design, including which phrase would be translated into the various languages  
• a tiled area people could walk over and see their language represented: schools could contribute tiles they have made and have a firing for the artwork
• a simple message recorded by speakers of the many languages living in Canberra, these recordings then played at random when triggered by a passer-by.
• an interactive sound installation like those in Sydney by Paul Carter
• linking the monument with activities around International Mother Language Day (21 February) or International Peace Day or Harmony Day (both in September)
•  incorporating the ability to change the recorded message each year - thus involving people again and again and also keeping the message and the languages used to transmit it interesting and relevant. 

Your thoughts on this project welcome!!