NALSSP Consultation
During 2008, the Australian Government sought information from state and territory government and non-government education authorities and key language stakeholders on the best strategies for implementing the NALSSP. Key language stakeholders included the Asia Education Foundation, universities, principal, teacher and parent associations and embassies.
A number of key issues were identified during the consultation process, including:
- a shortage of qualified Asian language teachers
- a decline in student, school, parental and community value for studying languages
- insufficient time allocated to studying languages in schools
- lack of opportunity to study languages continuously and sequentially
- lack of requirement to include studies of Asia across the curriculum in any jurisdiction
- need for teachers of other subject areas to develop knowledge, skills and understandings about Asia
NALSSP Stakeholder Forum
On 19 September 2008, 70 key stakeholders attended a national forum on the NALSSP. Participants were invited to consider the key result areas identified during NALSSP consultation:
- flexible delivery and pathways
- increasing teacher supply and support
- stimulating student demand
Paper on the NALSSP Implementation Arrangements
Following the forum, a paper on the implementation arrangements for the NALSSP was developed in consultation with state and territory government and non-government education authorities. The Productivity Agenda Working Group (PAWG) of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to the final implementation arrangements for the NALSSP in December 2008.
Copy of Implementation Arrangements paper is available in pdf 
and rtf 
formats.