MLTA ACT News

Current and recent

Call for contributions for MLTA Contact Newsletter, posted 1 May 2025

We would like to receive your contributions for the Semester 1, 2025 CONTACT publication. For details, see Myriam's broadcast email of 1 May from the MLTA ACT mailbox. Please send your articles to myriam.davies@ed.act.edu.au and include "CONTACT" in your email subject by COB Friday 20 June.

Gianfranco Conti – teaching vocabulary and promoting listening skills, Tuesday 6 May 2025

On Tuesday 6 May 2025, Gianfranco Conti will present impactful ways of teaching vocabulary and give us tips on promoting listening skills.

The workshop will run from 1:45 pm to 5:30 pm at Campbell High School.

• 13:45 – 14:00 Registration and Welcome
• 14:00 – 15:30 Impactful, evidence-based vocabulary instruction
• 15:30 – 15:45 Afternoon tea
• 15:45 – 17:15 Promoting Listening skills
• 17:15 – 17:30 Question and Answers – discussions and reflection time

The registration fee is $90 for members, $160 for non-members. Sign up by Monday 5 May 10:30 am, using this TryBooking link.

In the morning of Tuesday 6 May, Gianfranco will also give a masterclass at Alfred Deakin High School. This class is limited to maximum 20 participants. One place will primarily be offered to the Education Directorate’s eight Language Networks and to the hosting school. If you are interested in attending, please let Lena Britton know as quickly as possible. The cost will be $ 120 per person.

Pre-Election Statement from Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (AAAE)

The AFMLTA is a member of the Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (AAAE) and has been part of drafting a pre-election statement to both the Education Minister and Shadow Education Minister asking for a call to action for some key policy reforms in education. Please follow this link to view the position statement that has been shared by the AAAE.

MLTA-ACT (FIPLV) scholarship for Semester 1 of 2025

Applications for the MLTA ACT Scholarship for 2025 are now open. Please find attached a flyer with all the relevant details about the scholarship, including the link to apply.

This scholarship, originally known as the FIPLV Congress 1988 Scholarship, was established after the success of the 1988 FIPLV World Congress on language learning hosted by the MLTA ACT Inc. It provides financial assistance for teachers to further their professional development through travel and participation in educational programs or to develop a special language program. The scholarship is awarded up to twice each year.

In Semester 1, 2025, preference will be given to supporting members to attend the AFMLTA conference in Adelaide in July 2025, for those who have not attended a similar conference before. Special consideration will be given to early career language teachers who are already MLTA-ACT members. You are not limited in applying for something other than this conference.

Submission due 5:00 pm on Friday, 16 May 2025. No late applications accepted.

Please read this information about the Scholarship rules and requirements: Scholarship Information.

You can apply for a scholarship via this link.

Cognitive Load Theory in Languages

Cognitive Load Theory has been described by Dylan Wiliam, a well-known writer and speaker on educational pedagogy, as the single most important concept for teachers to understand. Here is a link to a webinar with Clare Slyth, consultant for school improvement in WA, on cognitive load theory in languages. This is one of the webinars that AFMLTA and M/LTAs have prepared for our use.

MLTA-ACT full day PL Wednesday 30 April 2025

The next MLTA-ACT Professional Learning (PL) event is scheduled for Week 1 of Term 2 on Wednesday, 30 April. We’ve scheduled it during the week based on feedback from members who requested the opportunity to attend on a weekday, similar to their colleagues in English, Maths, and Science.

The PL will cover a range of topics relevant to all language teachers, including:

• Differentiation (Nabila Aliane)
• PowerPoint & Presentation Skills (Philippe Messer)
• Language Masterclass (Stuart A Blair)
• Engaging Neurodiverse Students and Colleagues (with Stuart A. Blair)

This event has TQI accreditation (5 hours). These sessions are designed to support teachers of all languages, not limited to any specific language, and aim to provide practical strategies and skills that will benefit us all. If you haven’t yet requested approval from your Executive to attend, now would be a great time to do so.

• Date: Wednesday 30 April, 2025
• Time: 8:30 to 4:30
• Venue:Hedley Beare Centre for Teaching & Learning, Fremantle St, Stirling
• Price : $50 (Members) $120 (Non-members)

To book for this event, use this Trybooking link. For more details, see the event flier here.

If you wish to benefit from the special rate for members with this PL event, please register as a member of MLTA-ACT for 2025, prior to booking the PL.

AFMLTA News in Brief, March 2025

The March 2025 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• 25th International AFMLTA Conference
• AFMLTA Executive Nominatons: Vice President, Secretary, Promotions Officer
• 2025 AFMLTA Awards Nominations Option
• 2025 Patji Dawes Award Nominations Option

Urgent Call for Nominations and MLTA ACT Committee Participation

At this time, we urgently need to fill the position of President in order to continue driving forward our professional learning initiatives and community events for the year. It is essential for the health and success of our association that we have leadership in place. We also require active members to represent Italian, German, Japanese, and Mandarin language groups. We are also seeking general committee members to assist with a variety of tasks. The current status of committee positions is outlined on the home page on MLTA website.

Being part of the MLTA-ACT committee offers an incredible opportunity for professional growth and leadership, and the scope to make a significant contribution to the future of language learning and teaching in the ACT. We also provide mentorship to those taking on new roles, ensuring you have the support needed to succeed. If you would like to nominate yourself or a colleague, please complete the nomination form by accessing either the PDF version (this will display on your screen) or the MS Word version (this will save to your downloads folder) and send it to mlta.act.inc@gmail.com.

AFMLTA News in Brief, February 2025

The February 2025 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Babel Volume 58 Issue 1 published
• 25th International AFMLTA Conference
• AFMLTA 2024 year in review

AFMLTA Babel Volume 58 Issue 1 published, February 2025

The latest edition of Babel has been published and has been mailed out to members.

In this edition is a paper developed by Andrew Scrimgeour, titled "Language program provision and student participation in Australian schools". This is one of two reports that provide the basis for a National Plan and Strategy for Languages Education in Australia, which the Australian Government commissioned the AFMLTA to develop.

Commencement of Senior Secondary Language Programs with CML, CIT Solutions

CML will hold the 2025 orientation session for senior secondary languages online at 6 pm, Thursday 6 February (Term 1, Week 1) for the latest updates on program plans, assessments, and everything students need to know about senior secondary language classes with the CIT Solutions Centre for Modern Languages (CML). Select this link to join the event.

Classes will commence in Week 2 of Term 1. Students and families can check out the "Timetable" section on our CIT Solutions Language Hub for scheduling details. In 2025, we will continue offering programs in six exciting languages: French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Tamil.

Wishing all our current and future students, families, and CML friends an amazing year ahead! Let’s make 2025 unforgettable!

MLTA ACT AGM 2025

The MLTA ACT Executive Committee warmly invites you to attend the MLTA ACT Inc. Annual General Meeting (AGM).

• Date: Thursday, 6 March 2025
• Location: Ainslie Football Club, 52 Wakefield Avenue, Ainslie
• Time: 4:30 PM (prompt start)

Following the AGM, we will celebrate the Fiona Arthur Award Presentation and enjoy a networking session with light refreshments.

We encourage you to attend to gain insight into the work happening behind the scenes and to consider joining the Executive Committee to help support and shape our vibrant association. During the AGM, all committee positions will be vacated, and nominations will be taken for new committee members, including specific roles. We encourage all interested members to consider joining the Executive Committee— all positions are open!

Membership Reminder: Only financial members for 2025 are eligible to vote and hold committee positions. Please note that 2024 memberships expired on 28th February 2025, so we encourage you to renew your membership if you haven’t already done so. Here is the link to renew the membership.

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, January 2025

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for January 2025 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Bilingual Story Times as part of Libraries ACT Festival Program, Friday 7 February and Saturday 8 February.
• Languages showcase Sunday 9 February.
• Fun with languages Sunday 9 February 1-3pm.
• Tongan language workshop: 3.30-4.30pm Sunday 9 February.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.

Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

Join MLTA, posted 20 January 2025

Are you a passionate language teacher looking for professional support and development? The MLTA-ACT is here to help you thrive in your teaching career! As an independent non-profit professional association, we are dedicated to supporting teachers of all languages. Early bird membership is available if you register by 28 February. For details, see the MLTA-ACT flyer.

Transformational languages pedagogy PD program for early career language teachers, posted 20 December 2024

Applications are invited from new educators in secondary languages for a supportive 12-month collaborative professional development program, offering 20 hours of TQI accreditation in 2025. The Community of Practice for Transformational Language Education aims to bridge the gap between current theory and classroom practice.

A collaboration between the University of Canberra and Growth Intentions for the Canberra Region, as outlined in the program flyer.

MLTA Contact Newsletter December 2024 edition published, posted 18 December 2024

MLTA ACT has published the 2024 Semester 2 edition of MLTA Contact Newsletter. Our thanks go to Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, for bringing together this edition to complete the MLTA story for 2024.

News items in this edition of MLTA ACT Contact Newsletter include:

• Message from the President – Prudence Roveta
• Message from the Vice-President – Joanne Chilver
• Message from the French Section – Myriam Davies
• Merici tour of Italy – Tina Rodriguez
• French Network – Laurence Barthelemy, Naomi Lamb
• Japanese news – Tony Kennedy
• Melrose High School Singapore and Malaysia trip – Rebecca Battaglini
• Language games in an L2 classroom – Frances Szeremet
• Paris and Olympic games at North Ainslie Primary School – Chrystel Wille
• Update from the ACT Bilingual Education Alliance (ACTBEA) – Mandy Scott
• Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry – Mandy Scott
• Celebrations at Aranda Primary School – Myriam Davies
• Celebrating Multilingualism – My journey with Canberra Sanscrit School – Ravi Krishnamurthy
• FATFA Conference – Prudence Roveta
• St Clare's Italy Study Tour – Sonia Conte
• Brainbreaks for the Language Classroom – Myriam Davies
• Indonesian at St Clare of Assisi – Margo Smith
• Celebrating the first year of senior secondary languages at CIT Solutions – Orion Lethbridge

AFMLTA News in Brief, December 2024

The December 2024 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Towards a National Plan and Strategy for Languages Education
• 25th International AFMLTA Conference

AFMLTA Towards a National Plan and Strategy for Languages Education in Australia, posted 7 December 2024

AFMLTA released a national plan and strategy for languages education in Australia at the LCNAU conference in Sydney in November. The project commenced in early 2020 and was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education through the National Languages Plan and Strategy Project. The overarching objective of the project is to support the Australian Government effort to increase the uptake of languages learning in schools.

The national plan and strategy document, which is the third in a suite of three documents, including two research reports prepared through the NLPS Project, is copyright AFMLTA 2024. For more information, see the NLPS website at https://nlps.afmlta.asn.au/.

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, November 2024

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for November 2024 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Contribute to an Investigation on the state of EAL/D education in Australian schools and EAL/D teaching courses at Australian universities.
• Protest the proposed closure of Languages at the University of Wollongong.
• Make use of the National Languages Campaign.
• Report from Modern Language Teachers’ Association of the ACT (MLTA ACT).
• Report on Year 11 and 12 courses at CIT Solutions’ Centre for Modern Languages (CML).
• Report from ACT Bilingual Education Alliance (ACTBEA).

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.

Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

AFMLTA News in Brief, November 2024

The November 2024 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Planning for the 25th AFMLTA Conference (Adelaide, 11-13 July 2025; call for submissions closes 14 February 2025)
• Professional Learning modules for teachers of Languages available on Scootle

Call for nominations for the Fiona Arthur Award, posted 14 November 2024

The 19th of June saw the anniversary of the passing away of our dear friend and colleague, Fiona Arthur. The MLTA ACT Inc. is pleased to announce that nominations for the Fiona Arthur Language Teaching Award for 2024 are open. Members are able to nominate themselves or nominate another member for the award. Nominations must be supported by a Principal or Senior Executive Teacher. The award recognises the contributions that a member of the MLTA ACT Inc. makes to the teaching and learning of languages in the ACT. The nominated candidate must demonstrate that they are:

• Engaging with current theories of education.
• Modelling and promoting effective and innovative language teaching practice.
• Contributing to the education and professional development of language teachers.

Nominations should clearly address each of the three criteria. Nominations must be submitted by COB Friday 29 November, 2024 in this Google form.

The MLTA ACT Inc. committee will meet after the nomination due date and assess all nominations against the criteria. The successful recipient of the 2023 award will be announced in Term 1, 2025.

The recipient of the MLTA ACT Inc. Fiona Arthur Language Teaching Award will receive a perpetual plaque for their school, an Award Certificate and a voucher to the value of $450 for the purchase of resources from INTEXT. Please see also this flyer containing the above information. If you have any queries, contact the MLTA ACT Executive Committee at mlta.act.inc@gmail.com

Abonnement à TV5Monde, posted 24 October 2024

Profitez d'un abonnement gratuit d'un an à TV5MONDE pour la journée internationale des professeurs de français. À l'occasion de la journée internationale des professeurs de français, TV5MONDE Asie-Pacifique vous offre un an d'abonnement gratuit à la plateforme apac.tv5monde.com. Remplissez notre formulaire avant le 28 novembre 2024.

Call for contributions for MLTA Contact Newsletter, posted 17 October 2024

We would like to receive your contributions for the Semester 2, 2024 CONTACT publication. For details, see the broadcast Myriam's email of 17 October from the MLTA ACT mailbox. Please send your articles to myriam.davies@ed.act.edu.au and include "CONTACT" in your email subject by COB Friday 6 December.

Newsletter from Stuart Blair, posted 16 October 2024

Here is the latest newsletter from Stuart Blair – Languages educator. He was going to present for teachers of various languages. However, he will be providing a PL through the ACT Education Directorate's French Network in November. Just for French teachers though.

Call for applications for the MLTA ACT Scholarship October 2024, posted 8 October 2024

The MLTA ACT Scholarship, originally known as the FIPLV Congress 1988 Scholarship, was established after the success of the 1988 FIPLV World Congress on language learning hosted by the MLTA ACT Inc.

See the broadcast email sent to members on 8 October. This scholarship, originally known as the FIPLV Congress 1988 Scholarship, was established after the success of the 1988 FIPLV World Congress on language learning hosted by the MLTA ACT Inc.

Applications are due COB 31 October 2024. For details, please refer to the MLTA ACT Scholarship 2024 flier

Please submit applications via this Google form.

MLTA 2024 TeachMeet, 8 November 2024

As announced in the broadcast email of 17 September, we are happy to announce that the MLTA ACT end of year TeachMeet will be held at Ainslie Football Club, 52 Wakefield Ave, Ainslie, on Friday 8 November.

We invite you to give 5-minute presentations on a topic of your choice. It could be language specific, hints and tips, resources, feedback on PL you have attended, wellbeing or cultural events. We will also be announcing PL and event plans for 2025. IT will be available if you need it. For more details, see the flier here.

The TeachMeet is free for our members but please register so that we have the appropriate sized room. Also, please indicate if you would like to stay on after the TeachMeet for dinner at the club.

Please register via Trybooking: Trybooking link for TeachMeet.

AFMLTA News in Brief, August 2024

The August 2024 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief included these news items:

• AFMLTA Medal for Outstanding Service to Language Teaching.
• 25th International AFMLTA Conference.

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, August 2024

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for August 2024 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Raising Children in more than one language.
• Online information session: Studying Year 11 and 12 languages with CIT Solutions in 2025.
• Radio interview with 2 linguists about Multilingual families in Canberra.
• Mother Tongue – Multilingual Poetry .
• Language education in ACT public schools Language.
• Languages in Review of Australia’s multicultural Framework.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.

Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

Language Education Action Plan, posted 1 August 2024

The Education Directorate's Language Education Action Plan has been published on the ED website. Please refer to the directorate's Language Education page for linked MS Word and PDF versions of the plan.

AFMLTA News in Brief, June-July 2024

The July 2024 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief included these news items:

• National Assembly.
• NZALT/FIPLV Conference.
• FIPLV International Award.
• 25th International AFMLTA Conference

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, July 2024

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for July 2024 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• July school holiday language camps for ACT students.
• Mother Tongue - Multilingual poetry.
• Free language conversation meet-ups for adults.
• Links to other opportunities to learn, develop and practice languages.
• Language progressions project.
• We are multilingual.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.

Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

Call for applications for the MLTA ACT Scholarship 2024, posted 20 June 2024

The MLTA ACT Scholarship, originally known as the FIPLV Congress 1988 Scholarship, was established after the success of the 1988 FIPLV World Congress on language learning hosted by the MLTA ACT Inc.

See the broadcast email sent to members on 20 June. This scholarship, originally known as the FIPLV Congress 1988 Scholarship, was established after the success of the 1988 FIPLV World Congress on language learning hosted by the MLTA ACT Inc.

Applications are due COB 26 July 2024. For details, please refer to the MLTA ACT Scholarship 2024 flier

Please submit applications via this Google form.

Call for contributions for MLTA Contact Newsletter, posted 5 June 2024, updated 13 June & 20 June 2024

We would like to receive your contributions for the Semester 1, 2024 CONTACT publication. For details, see the broadcast email of 5 June from Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, via the MLTA ACT mailbox. Please send your articles to myriam.davies@ed.act.edu.au and include "CONTACT" in your email subject by COB Friday 28 June (extended deadline).

MLTA PL for Term 2, posted 20 May 2024

With Guest Speaker Dr. Liam Printer, Educational Consultant, Author, Researcher, publisher of The Motivated Classroom.

Half-day workshop to include an online presentation on comprehensible input by Dr Liam Printer (Lausanne, Switzerland). Other sessions in the mini conference will include reports from members who have attended professional learning events.

For details, see the flier here. Additional information is in the email sent to members on 19 May.

This event is TQI accredited.

Venue: Snow Centre, CGS, 40 Monaro Crescent, Red Hill.

Time and date: Saturday 1 June 2024, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. 8:00 am arrival and registration.

Fee: $60 members, $120 non-members. Light refreshments included.

To register and pay: Trybooking link by COB Tuesday 28 May.

AFMLTA News in Brief, posted 6 May 2024

The May 2024 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Nathan Harvey Legacy Scholarship
• AFMLTA Executive Nominations
• AFMLTA Awards: 2024 Nominations open

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, April 2024

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for April 2024 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Mother Tongue Multilingual Poetry evening Monday 29 April 2024 from 7 pm.
• Teacher of Italian required, ANU Centre for Learning and Teaching.
• ACT National Community Language Schools Day, Albert Hall, Saturday 11 May 11am - 1pm.
• New Caledonia immersion trip for ACT teens with Alliance Française in Canberra, 5 - 13 October. Enrol before 30 April.
• Learn more about the University of Sydney Institute for Community Languages (SICLE).
• A chance to be part of international research on the transmission of home languages in bilingual/multilingual families.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.
Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

MLTA ACT AGM 2024

MLTA ACT AGM was held at Campbell High School on Thursday 21 March 2024. Congratulations to the new committee members on their election. The new committee is listed on the MLTA ACT website home page.

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, February 2024

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for February 2024 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Languages at National Multicultural Festival (NMF) 17-18 February.
• International Mother Language Day 21 February and Mother Language Walk 25 February.
• A new year, a new language – or build on the skills you already have.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.
Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

MLTA ACT Meet and Greet 2024

MLTA ACT Meet and Greet will be held on Thursday 22 February from 4:30 pm to 6 pm at No. 10 Restaurant and Bar at Abode Belconnen, 3 Graziers Lane, Belconnen. Free parking is available. Canapés will be provided and attendees may purchase drinks at their own cost. We will be presenting the Fiona Arthur Language Teaching Award during our get together. Please register using this RSVP link by COB Friday 16 February For more details, see the broadcast email from MLTA ACT.

Teach Senior Secondary Spanish or German with CIT Solutions

CIT Solutions Centre for Modern Languages is seeking dynamic, qualified senior secondary teachers in Spanish and German to conduct evening classes during school terms commencing 2024. For details, see the Jobs page.

Update as of 1 February 2024 – the Spanish position has now been filled. Congratulations to Rodrigo Martin.

Senior secondary languages with composite classes, online workshop on 23 January, posted 7 January 2024, updated 9 January 2024

CAL will conduct an online professional learning session about senior secondary languages with composite classes on 23 January 2023. Registration, $60 + GST, is via Trybooking. For details, see the News page on CAL website.

MLTA Contact Newsletter December 2023 edition published, posted 14 December 2023

MLTA ACT has published the Semester 2, 2023 edition of MLTA Contact Newsletter. Our thanks go to Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, for bringing together this 34 page edition to finish the year in style.

News items in this edition of MLTA ACT Contact Newsletter include:

• Message from the President – Prudence Roveta
• Message from the Vice-President – Joanne Chilver
• End of year party dinner cruise on LBG – Myriam Davies
• Spanish Network – Eleanor Body
• Italian Network – Antonietta Martiniello
• French Network – Cathy Marot
• Indonesian Network – Rebecca Battaglini
• German Network – Selina Jaek and Sheree Avard
• French Section of MLTA ACT – Myriam Davies
• Brainbreak ideas – Frances Szeremet
• French at North Ainslie Primary School – Chrystel Wille
• Local Wisdom PL – Mei Turnip
• Indonesian at Melrose High School – Rebecca Battaglini
• 24th AFMLTA Conference PL – Mei Turnip
• Languages at Saint Clare's College – Lisa Bourne
• Languages at Daramalan College – Heike Craig
• French Poetry Competition – Laurence Barthelemy
• Languages at Merici College – Tina Rodriguez
• Motivation and engagement through metacognition, AFMLTA Conference – Cathy Marot
• Making "Bretzeln" with the CAL German class – Selina Jaek
• French at Aranda Primary School – Myriam Davies
• Benefits of dictation in bilingual Years 3/4 – Lynden Lawton
• Schuhplattler und Käsespätzle – Selina Jaek
• Canberra Academy of Languages – Frank Keighley
• 5th CI Down Under, Sydney, January 2024, Unlocking the Power of Comprehension Based Language Teaching

AFMLTA News in Brief, posted 14 December 2023

The December 2023 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• From the President
• New Zealand Association of Language Teachers (NZALT) Conference/Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes (FIPLV) World Congress 2024
• AFMLTA's Babel journal
• Advocacy - NLPS
• Professional learning – MLTAT Conference, Hobart, 18 May 2024

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, December 2023

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for December 2023 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Good news for Year 11-12 students wishing to learn languages not available through schools in the ACT – CIT Solutions is taking on the delivery of the senior secondary languages programs set up by the Canberra Academy of Languages (CAL).
• But what is happening to the ACT Education Directorate's Languages Education Action Plan? No news since its mention in an ABC News article in mid-August 2023.
• Student petitions protesting the proposed discontinuation of five European languages at Macquarie University: Croatian, Modern Greek and Russian.
• Languages in Australian Higher Education Symposium, Thursday 14 December 4-5.30pm Free and online option
• Learning the languages of our community, fantastic 30-minute discussion about languages on ABC RN on 29 November.
• Survey on Language transmission in multilingual families.

Feedback and contribution to future updates welcome.
Details of previous Forum Updates are available at Canberra Region Languages Forum website.

Call for nominations for the Fiona Arthur Award, posted 26 October 2023

The 19th of June saw the anniversary of the passing away of our dear friend and colleague, Fiona Arthur. The MLTA ACT Inc. is pleased to announce that nominations for the Fiona Arthur Language Teaching Award for 2023 are open. Members are able to nominate themselves or nominate another member for the award. Nominations must be supported by a Principal or Senior Executive Teacher. The award recognises the contributions that a member of the MLTA ACT Inc. makes to the teaching and learning of languages in the ACT. The nominated candidate must demonstrate that they are:

• Engaging with current theories of education.
• Modelling and promoting effective and innovative language teaching practice.
• Contributing to the education and professional development of language teachers.

Nominations should clearly address each of the three criteria. Nominations must be submitted by COB Friday 17 November, 2023 in this Google form.

A panel comprised of the MLTA ACT Inc. Executive will meet after the nomination due date and assess all nominations against the criteria. The successful recipient of the 2023 award will be announced in Term 1, 2024.

The recipient of the MLTA ACT Inc. Fiona Arthur Language Teaching Award will receive a perpetual plaque for their school, an Award Certificate and a voucher to the value of $450 for the purchase of resources from INTEXT. Please see also this flyer containing the above information. If you have any queries, contact the MLTA ACT Executive Committee at mlta.act.inc@gmail.com

FIPLV 1988 Scholarship

See the Events page for information about applying for the FIPLV 1988 Scholarship. Applications are due by COB Friday 20 October 2023.

Call for contributions for MLTA Contact Newsletter, posted 28 September 2023

We would like to receive your contributions for the Semester 2, 2023 CONTACT publication. For details, see the broadcast email of 15 September from Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, via the MLTA ACT mailbox. Please send your articles to myriam.davies@ed.act.edu.au and include "CONTACT" in your email subject by the start of Week 8 of Term 4 (Friday 1 December).

AFMLTA News in Brief additional news for September, posted 28 September 2023

The September 2023 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published, to advise members that AFMLTA immediate Past President, Nathan Harvey, had passed away, and to extend condolences to his family and friends.

ACARA update on the Australian Curriculum: Languages Review, posted 31 August 2023

The Review of Languages continues with the next phase of Languages now available for consultation. The consultation site for Chinese for Background and First-Language learners, the Framework for Classical Languages, Classical Greek and Latin continues until September 12.

The site now also includes consultation on Auslan, with pathways for First-language learners and Second-language learners, Years Foundation to Year 10, and Years 7 to 10 for each pathway; and the Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages, with pathways for First-language learners, Second-language learners and Language Revival, Years Foundation to Year 10. Consultation on Auslan and the Framework remains open until 7 November 2023.

The consultation page for all these draft curriculum for consultation can be accessed via the v8.4 website banner, or a direct link here: You can view this page at https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/consultation/languages.

AFMLTA News in Brief news for August, posted 20 August 2023

The August 2023 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition of AFMLTA News in Brief include:

• National Assembly
• 2023 AFMLTA Conference (7-9 July) held in Perth
• Awards

Atelier de cuisine chez Le Trè Bon, posted 20 August 2023

An enjoyable and informative workshop was provided by Christophe Gregoire at Le Très Bon in Bungendore on Saturday 19 August. After an informative introduction about Escoffier, with asides about Paul Bocuse, among others, and the development of restaurants in the western world, participants prepared Tartiflette and Crème Brulée and finished with lunch. Thanks to Lena for organising workshop accreditation, so that those who attended will receive four accredited hours of TQI Professional Learning.

Dates confirmed for 2024 Multicultural Festival, posted 31 July 2023

Dates have been confirmed for 2024 National Multicultural Festival. It will be held from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 February 2024. The next opportunity to drop in for a chat about planning will be on Tuesday 1 August 2023 at the Theo Notaras Centre, 180 London Circuit. See the NMF web page for details.

CLSA workshops, posted 26 July 2023

Community Language Schools Association ACT – The MLTAACT has been providing professional learning workshops for the CLSAACT teachers for many years, as part of an agreement put in place by the ACT Department of Education. Each year, the MLTAACT committee organises four 90-minute workshops and in recent years these have been online rather than in person. Presenters will be paid $450 for the time put towards preparing a workshop. If you are interested in presenting a workshop, email Jo Chilver via mlta.act.inc@gmail.com and please type CLSA Workshop in the subject box.

Workshops are usually held on Thursday evenings from 18:30-20:00. The proposed dates for this year are:

Term 1	Term 3	Term 4
Week 7 – 8 June	Week 4 - 17 August Week 9 – 14 September	Week 3 – 26 October
Workshop Title: Lesson Planning and Delivery using high-impact teaching strategies	For 17 August - IT tools for teaching For 14 September - TBC	TBC

Many of the CLSA teachers are not qualified teachers, and as such, they appreciate practical, easy to apply presentations. We have received feedback from CLSA teachers regarding their preferences, and they are particularly interested in the following areas.

• IT tools for teaching
• Differentiation
• Hands-on activities, including assessment tasks

If you are interested or would like to know more, please email Jo Chilver via mlta.act.inc@gmail.com.

MLTA Contact Newsletter June 2023 edition published, posted 1 July 2023

MLTA ACT has published the Semester 1, 2023 edition of MLTA Contact Newsletter. Our thanks go to Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, for bringing together another fine edition.

News items in this edition of MLTA ACT Contact Newsletter include:

• Message from the President
• Message from the Vice-President
• From the German Network
• From the French Network
• French Section of MLTA ACT
• Dante Alighieri Society
• Francophonie Competition and Embassy Visit
• A Bilingual Puppet Show and Flamenco workshops
• Open Night at Dickson College
• Adult Classes Enjoying their End of Semester Party - German Language School
• Canberra Grammar Primary School’s BRIDGE Partnership with Cor Jesu School in Malang, East Java, Indonesia
• Professional Learning with Joe Dale
• Indonesian News – - St Jude's School
• Languages at Campbell High
• Canberra Academy of Languages
• CI Down Under, Sydney, January 2024, Unlocking the Power of Comprehension Based Language Teaching

AFMLTA News in Brief additional news for June, posted 1 July 2023

The additional June 2023 edition (June #2) of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition of AFMLTA News in Brief include:

• Babel Volume 56 update (Issues 1 & 2 have been mailed to members and Issue 3 is now available online)
• Link to the full conference program
• Invited speakers for the 2023 AFMLTA Conference (7-9 July) in Perth
• 2023 Patji-Dawes Language Teaching Award

Reminder about articles for MLTA Contact Newsletter, posted 7 June 2023, updated 17 June 2023

We would like to receive your contributions for the Semester 1, 2023 CONTACT publication. For details, see the broadcast email of 23 April from Myriam Davies, Contact Editor, via the MLTA ACT mailbox. Please send your articles to myriam.davies@ed.act.edu.au by the start of Week 9 (Friday 19 June - extended copy deadline).

AFMLTA News in Brief, posted 7 June 2023

The June 2023 edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Invited speakers for the 2023 AFMLTA Conference (7-9 July) in Perth
• Register for AFMLTA 2023 International Languages Conference
• 2023 Patji-Dawes Language Teaching Award

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, May 2023

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for May 2023 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Upcoming events
• Little kids learning languages, ANU (in-person only) Friday 12 May 3.30pm - 5pm. Contact evan.kidd@anu.edu.au for more details.
• Tapestry of Cultures Family Festival, NMA, Saturday 13 May 2023, 10am – 4pm. Multilingual poetry spot 2.10pm-2.40pm.
• Program Launch: Poetic City 2023 - Winter Edition, Civic, Saturday May 13, 2pm-3.30pm.
• ACT Community Language Schools Open Day, Albert Hall, Saturday 20 May 10.30-1pm. Contact Manu at actclsa@gmail.com for more details.
• Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry Open mic, Smiths Alternative, Monday 22 May 7pm – 8.30pm.
• Poetry and Protest: Philippine Poetry Through the Years, Griffith ACT, Sunday 28 May 2pm-4 pm.
• Festival of Languages, ANU Saturday 17 June, 10.30am-4pm.
• International Symposium on Bilingualism, Macquarie University or online, Mon 26 – Fri 30 June.
• Focus on Languages in the recently released National Cultural Policy ‘Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place’.
• Other news
• First accredited training course for ACT Community Language School teachers has begun.
• News from Canberra Academy of Languages: Seeking teacher of Japanese for Semester 2; Tag der deutschen Sprache; Proposal about languages education again lodged with ACT government.

MLTA PL for Term 2, posted 16 May 2023

For our second PL event this year, and in light of the number of on-line PLs we have presented over the last 3 years, we are organising an opportunity for language teachers to meet in person for a morning on Saturday 17 June. The purpose will be to familiarise ourselves and begin working with the latest version of the Australian Curriculum for Languages. The event will not be TQI accredited but can be entered as teacher-identified. Morning tea will be provided. The event is free for members. Non-members are very welcome and the cost is membership of the MLTAACT. (link here). This event will be held at ACU in Watson (Blackfriars Building).

Program for the morning

• 08:30-09:00 Registration
• 09:00-09:30 Introduction and overview of AC: Language v9 revisions
• 09:30-11:00 Specific language groups – transitioning current units using the ACT scope & sequence document and support resources
• 11:00-11:30 Morning tea
• 11:30-12:00 Sharing time
• 12:00-12:30 Specific language groups – continue with transitioning.

More details to follow.

AFMLTA News in Brief, posted 15 May 2023

The May 2023edition of AFMLTA News in Brief has been published. News items in this edition include:

• Invited speakers for the 2023 AFMLTA Conference (7-9 July) in Perth
• Reminder that nominations are invited for three positions on the AFMLTA Executive Committee
• Reminder about deadlines for award nominations
• Link for conference registration
• Callfor papers for AFMLTA 2023 Conference.

2013 AFMLTA Conference Scholarship for 2023 reminder

Reminder about applications for the 2013 AFMLTA Conference Scholarship. As advised in an email to members on 3 April, applications for the 2013 AFMLTA Conference Scholarship for 2023 are open. This scholarship provides financial assistance for members wishing to attend conferences to further their professional development. This year, the scholarship will support members to attend the 2023 AFMLTA International Languages Conference to be held from 7-9 July, in Perth. Successful applicants will be supported with their registration fee being paid ($575) for the AFMLTA 2023 International Languages Conference. The successful applicants will also receive up to $400 financial assistance to support their travel and accommodation costs.

Applications close: 4pm Friday 28 April 2023. Applications can be submitted through this Google Form. All applicants will be notified whether they have been successful by 4pm Monday 22 May 2023. Applicants will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts for their travel and accommodation costs to the MLTA ACT Inc. Executive Treasurer. via the email address mlta.act.inc@gmail.com. The registration fee will be paid directly by the MLTA ACT Inc.

AFMLTA News in Brief, posted 3 April 2023

The February 2023 and March 2023 editions of AFMLTA News in Brief have been published. News items in the February edition include:

• New year greetings for 2023
• Registration invitation for AFMLTA's 2023 Conference (7-9 July) in Perth
• Call for papers for AFMLTA 2023 Conference.

News items in the March edition include:

• Registration reminder for AFMLTA's 2023 Conference
• Call for papers reminder for AFMLTA's 2023 Conference
• Call for nominations for AFMLTA Awards
• The emailed version also includes a call for nominations positions on the AFMLTA Executive Committee from 2023: President Elect, Vice President, Promotions Officer and Secretary. Nominations are invited before 7 June 2023. Please visit the What's New page of AFMLTA website for more information.

MLTA AGM

The MLTA ACT Executive Committee invites you to attend the MLTA ACT Inc.’s Annual General Meeting. The MLTA ACT AGM will be held at Campbell High School Library (15 Treloar Cres, Campbell) on Thursday 23rd March, 2023 starting at 4:15pm. Light refreshments from 4pm. Please refer to the broadcast email, sent on 23 February to members, for details. If you have any questions, please email the MLTA ACT Committee.

Canberra Region Languages Forum Update, February 2023

The Canberra Region Languages Forum Update for February 2023 has been sent out to subscribers by the Convener, Dr Mandy Scott. News items in this update include:

• Languages at the Multicultural Festival in Civic Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February.
• International Mother Language Day Walk, Sunday morning 26 February.
• Mother Tongue - Multilingual Poetry Open mic, Monday 27 February 7pm-9pm.
• Call for EOI to present at ANU Language Teaching Forum, to be held monthly on Tuesdays 4.15-5pm.
• New funding model for ACT Community Language schools yet to be announced.
• The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge Open to all ACT students preschool - year 12. Books can be in any language, registration required by Friday 17 March.
• A glimpse of the range of language programs in the ACT area for adults and children.
• Canberra Academy of Languages news.
• Focus on Languages in the recently released National Cultural Policy ‘Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place’.

MLTA ACT Meet and Greet

MLTA ACT Meet and Greet will be held on Friday 24 February from 4 pm to 6 pm at The Pavillion on Northbourne.

CONTACT MLTA Newsletter December 2022

MLTA CONTACT Newsletter December 2022 edition published. The latest MLTA Newsletter was published at the end of 2022 and circulated to members via broadcast email from the Executive Secretary. The pdf is also available here.

FIPLV Conference 2024, posted 5 December 2022

The next biennial FIPLV Conference will be held from Saturday 6 July 2024 to Tuesday 9 July 2024.

The Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes is the international association of teachers of languages.

The conference venue will be the spectacular Owen G Glenn Building, Auckland, New Zealand.

For details, please visit FIPLV website.

French network news, posted 5 December 2022

French Network Leader, Lena Britton, has sent out the latest update for teachers of French - see today's broadcast email from Lena. Items include information about Francophonie events next year:

• The main event will be at the Alliance Française on Friday 24 March.
• Primary schools participating will be asked to prepare a presentation of a French-speaking country.
• The presentations produced by the High Schools will focus around the ten words selected by the International Organisation of the Francophonie.
• For college students, there will be joint events with the ANU presenting different point of views from the French-speaking countries.

Previous years

MLTA ACT news items for previous years are available as pdf documents, listed below, commencing with the most recent year.

• MLTA ACT News – 2022
• MLTA ACT News – 2021
• MLTA ACT News – 2020
• MLTA ACT News – 2019
• MLTA ACT News – 2018
• MLTA ACT News – 2017
• MLTA ACT News – 2016
• MLTA ACT News – 2015
• MLTA ACT News – 2014
• MLTA ACT News – 2013
• MLTA ACT News – 2012
• MLTA ACT News – 2011
• MLTA ACT News – 2010

Last updated

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