TOWARDS A LANGUAGES EDUCATION POLICY FOR NSW AFMLTA

TOWARDS A LANGUAGES EDUCATION POLICY FOR NSW AFMLTA 2015 SUBTITLE 10 JULY 2015 DAY, MONTH, YEAR

THE BOARD OF STUDIES, TEACHING AND EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS NSW

THE ROLE OF THE BOSTES The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) is responsible for school curriculum, assessment, and teaching and regulatory standards in NSW schools. Our key responsibilities relate to: • development of the curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 12 • accreditation of teachers • development and conduct of the Higher School Certificate • administration of the NAPLAN tests • registration and accreditation of schools

BACKGROUND

2011 - 2012 - 2013 • The Australian Curriculum: Languages • Australia in the Asian Century White Paper • NERA • Coalition Students First Policy

THE NEW SOUTH WALES CONTEXT

LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE COMMUNITY • NSW Community Languages Schools Program • Approximately 32, 000 students • 55 languages • Approximately 2, 560 teachers

LANGUAGE LEARNING K-6 • Languages not a Key Learning Area in primary • Community Languages K-6 Program • Bilingual Schools Program • Aboriginal languages programs K-6

LANGUAGE LEARNING YEARS 7 -10 • Mandatory 100 hours of language learning • BOSTES syllabuses for 17 languages • Languages elective in Years 9 and 10 • Very limited uptake of Aboriginal languages

LANGUAGE LEARNING YEARS 11 -12 • BOSTES syllabuses for 64 courses • 35 languages • 5 levels • Eligibility rules • <10% of students taking a language course

LANGUAGE LEARNING - OTHER • The Open High School • The Saturday School of Community Languages • Distance Education Centres

REVIEW OF LANGUAGES EDUCATION

PRELIMINARY CONSULTATION • Discussions with key stakeholders • Stocktake of NSW languages programs • Examination of policies and programs • Research into best practice

SIX INITIAL PROPOSALS 1. A new K-10 curriculum framework 2. A new approach to senior secondary languages 3. Broader recognition of language proficiency 4. Strengthening Aboriginal languages 5. Raising the profile of languages education 6. Further national contributions for languages

REVIEW CONSULTATION • Steering Committee • Consultation meetings • Stakeholder meetings • Online survey and written submissions • Consultation report

2014 • The proposals • The assumptions • Endorsement for the proposals

LANGUAGES EDUCATION ACTION PLAN

SETTING A NEW DIRECTION • NSW Languages Advisory Panel • A NSW Languages Education Policy • Cross-sectoral data collection and reporting • Promotion strategy for schools, community, industry and business

STRENGTHENING THE PROFESSION • Primary Languages specialisation in ITE • New courses/qualifications • Quality of initial teacher education courses • Career pathways for languages teachers • Professional learning for languages teachers • Emergent language teacher leadership

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY LANGUAGES • Qualifications, professional learning and paraprofessional status • Extend and improve partnerships between schools and community languages programs

WORLD-CLASS CURRICULUM • New K-10 Languages Curriculum Framework • Primary Languages Key Learning Area • Best practice guidance for primary programs • Incorporation of elective languages units of competence in VET courses

IMPROVED LINKS AND ACCESS • Coordinated distribution of programs and resources • Revised mandatory requirements in Stage 4 • Continuous study in a single language K-12

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION • Eligibility requirements • Course nomenclature • HSC pattern of study requirements • ATAR bonus points scheme • Communication strategy

RECOGNISING ACHIEVEMENT • K-10 Languages Proficiency Framework • Languages Passport • Participation and achievement on Ro. SA • Up 2 now extracurricular tool

STRENGTHENING ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES • Stage 6 Aboriginal languages course • Support materials for K-10 Aboriginal Languages • Online compendium of resources • Revised requirements for mandatory 100 hours • Language focus in Aboriginal Studies syllabus

PARTNERSHIPS WITH EMPLOYERS • Strategy to promote the value of language and intercultural awareness skills in the workforce • Articulated pathways to VET • Opportunities for scholarships

MORE INFORMATION • http: //www. boardofstudies. nsw. edu. au/languagesreview/

KELLI CATO Principal Policy Officer kelli. cato@bostes. nsw. edu. au +61 2 9367 8205