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.
On this page
National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program
The Australian Government has committed funding of $62.4 million over 2008–09 to 2010–11 for the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP). More information can be found at the NALSSP website.
[Return to Top]
School Languages Program (including National Projects)
The Government’s School Languages Program has provided $112 million over 2005 to 2008 to state and territory education authorities to support the teaching and learning of Asian, European, Australian Indigenous languages and Auslan in schools and community language programs in ethnic schools.
From 2009, the Government will continue to provide funding to support the study of languages in Australian government schools through the National Education Agreement (NEA).
The Government is also providing $56.4 million over 2009 to 2012 through the Schools Assistance Act 2008 to support the teaching of Asian, European, Australian Indigenous 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. This Statement and Plan provides greater coordination for languages education, including Indigenous and other community languages, across the country for this quadrennium. The statement and plan will be updated in 2009 for 2009-2012.
National Projects
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 The MCEETYA Languages Education Working Party guides the development of these projects.
A range of national projects are currently being implemented. Information on these projects, including regular progress updates, is available on the MCEETYA Languages Education Working Party website
National Projects (by year of release)
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.
2007
Improvement in the National Coordination and Quality Assurance of Ethnic Schools
Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations (AFESA) known as Community Languages Australia
This project aimed to strengthen national coordination and quality assurance in after-hours ethnic/community language schools in Australia, with a focus on national coordination and promotion, improving quality assurance and professional development for teachers.
Leading Languages Education Project
Australian Principal Associations’ Professional Development Council (APAPDC) now known as Principals Australia
This professional learning project for principals and school leaders aimed to promote greater awareness of action at the national level to support languages, current teaching directions, and benefits of language learning. The Project comprises an information dissemination strategy to support principals and school leaders in the crucial role they play in implementing an effective languages programme.
2007 National Seminar on Language Education: “Languages Open the Door”
Asia Education Foundation
This second National Seminar funded under the School Languages Program (SLP) aimed to explore how the outcomes and findings from completed projects funded nationally under the SLP can inform and influence local programs.
2006
2006 National Seminar on Languages Education: “Maximising the Opportunity”
Asia Education Foundation
Key objectives of the National Seminar were to provide time for states and territories to examine the MCEETYA National Statement and Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-2008 and to share effective practice in languages education particularly in relation to intercultural teaching and learning.
[Return to Top]
ILTLP Project Final Report – Report-in-brief
Intercultural Language Teaching and Learning in Practice (ILTLP) Project
University of South Australia – Research Centre for Languages and Cultures Education
This national professional learning program funded at $2 million through the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program complements the national projects funded under the School Languages Program. The key objective of the ILTLP Project will be to develop languages teachers’ knowledge and understanding of intercultural language teaching and learning, with a particular focus on long-term planning and programming, including the assessment and reporting of student outcomes. The ILTLP Project builds on the outcomes of the Asian Languages Professional Learning Project
[Return to Top]
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
[Return to Top]
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
[Return to Top]
Additional Support for Languages
Additional Support for Languages
[Return to Top]