The Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians, released on 5 December 2008, identifies languages, especially Asian languages, as a key learning area. The Declaration will guide curriculum policy and programs operating in Australian schools.
While languages education in schools is primarily the responsibility of state and territory education authorities, the Australian Government is committed to supporting the teaching and learning of languages, and the understanding of cultures, in Australian schools.
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National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program
The Australian Government has committed funding of $62.15 million over 2008–09 to 2011–12 for the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP). More information can be found at the NALSSP website.
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School Languages Program (including National Projects)
The Government’s School Languages Program provided $112 million from 2005 to 2008 to state and territory education authorities to support the teaching and learning of Asian, European, Aboriginal languages, Torres Strait Islander languages and Auslan in schools and community language programs in ethnic schools.
From 2009, the Government continued to provide funding supporting the study of languages in Australian government schools and community language schools through the National Education Agreement (NEA). The NEA allows state and territory government education authorities the flexibility to target resources according to individual jurisdictional priorities and educational needs.
The Government is also providing $62.1 million over 2010–11 to 2013–14 through the Schools Assistance Act 2008 to support the teaching of Asian, European, Aboriginal languages, Torres Strait Islander languages and Auslan in non-government schools.
The National Statement and Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-2008 developed through the Ministerial Council for Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) was endorsed by all Ministers of Education in March 2005. The Statement and Plan has provided greater coordination for languages education, including Aboriginal languages, Torres Strait Islander languages and other community languages, across the country.
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National Projects
Feasibility Study into a Reverse Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Style Program in Australian Schools
The Australian Government commissioned a study “Feasibility Study into a Reverse Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Style Program in Australian Schools” in 2010. The study will be provided to the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper Taskforce for their consideration. More information the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper is available on the http://asiancentury.dpmc.gov.au/
From 2005 to 2008 approximately $1.25 million per annum has been set aside for national strategic projects in line with the National Statement and Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-2008 A range of national projects were developed and implemented under the guidance of the MCEETYA Languages Education Working Party. Some of these projects are listed below:
National Projects (by year of release)
2012
Student Achievement in Asian Languages Report (
PDF 787KB | 
RTF 3.8MB)
Research Centre for Languages & Cultures, University of South Australia and the Language Testing Research Centre at The University of Melbourne.
The Student Achievement in Asian Languages Report was released on 06 February 2012. This study is the first in languages education in Australia that has measured student achievement in Asian languages, Foundation to Year 12.
The research addressed the questions of:
- what it is that students actually achieve as a result of learning particular Asian languages (Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean) as part of their Foundation to Year 12 education,
- how well they achieve this learning, and
- whatstudent performance looks like in these languages at different phases of schooling.
Further information, including the full report and associated attachments can be viewed at www.saale.unisa.edu.au.
2009
Teaching and Learning Languages: A Guide ( PDF 4.8MB | RTF 4.94MB)
Research Centre for Languages & Cultures, University of South Australia
Teaching and Learning Languages: A Guide was developed to support teachers in their delivery of quality language education programs for all young Australians. The Guide is accompanied by a series of online practical examples drawn from the work of experienced language teachers who are working to implement new ways of teaching and learning in their classrooms. These practice examples are available on the University of South Australia website at www.tllg.unisa.edu.au.
2008
Indigenous Languages Programs in Australian Schools — A Way Forward
Australian Council for Educational Research
This project focused on improving the quality and sustainability of Indigenous language programs in Australian schools. It presents key findings relevant to improving Indigenous language programs in schools.
Development of Nationally Coordinated Promotion of the Benefits of Languages Learning in Schools
Asia Education Foundation (AEF) in association with the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (AFMLTA) Inc.
The purpose of this project was to develop online support materials promoting the benefits of languages education. The materials can be used in school newsletters, in professional learning activities for school leaders and teachers, at parent meetings and at open days/information nights.
An Investigation of the State and Nature of Languages in Australian Schools.
University of South Australia – Research Centre for Languages and Cultures Education.
The objective of this project was to build on previous research to generate a comprehensive national picture of languages education, and recommend strategies to increase the effectiveness and quality of school-based languages programs.
Review of Teacher Education for Languages Teachers.
Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
The objective of this project was to produce a comprehensive national picture of the nature and effectiveness of teacher education and re-training opportunities for languages teachers.
Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships
The Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships (ELTF), a part of the Australian Government’s broader Endeavour Awards provides a professional learning opportunity for practising language teachers and trainee (pre-service) language teachers in Australian universities to participate in short-term intensive language and cultural study programs overseas and in Australia.
Further information regarding the ELTF is available on the ELTF webpage.
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Studies of Asia
National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools
The National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools is a national policy statement approved by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) in 2005. The Statement identifies the broad knowledge, understandings, values and skills required to engage with Asia in the context of existing policies and practices in teaching and learning.
Asia Education Foundation
The Australian Government supports the studies of Asia in Australian schools through the Asia Education Foundation (AEF). Since its establishment in 1992 the Government has provided an annual grant to support the work of the AEF.
The AEF works in partnership with government and non-government education agencies, universities, philanthropic foundations and the corporate sector to:
- promote and support the study of Asia across the curriculum
- develop Asia-related print and electronic materials
- promote the study of Asia through professional learning
- educate the broader community about the importance of young Australians engaging with Asia.
Information about the AEF is available on the Asia Education Foundation website.
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Additional Support for Languages
Additional Support for Languages.
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