Student Learning

Languages other than English (LOTE) Domain

LOTE home | Policy & Funding | Learning & Teaching support | School Programs | Assessment & Reporting | Professional Learning | Research & Data

The LOTE Domain supports the teaching of a second language to all primary and secondary school students.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development expects that schools provide Languages other than English from Prep to Year 10. A quality program offers classes for 150 minutes per week taught by a qualified LOTE teacher.

Why learn a language other than English?

Learning a language:

  • develops an understanding of how languages work which leads to improved literacy skills, including English literacy
  • helps students develop critical thinking, analysis and problem solving skills
  • teaches students about other peoples, their ideas and ways of thinking
  • inspires interest in and respect for other cultures
  • enhances employment and career prospects
  • contributes to social cohesiveness through better communication and understanding
  • contributes to economic, diplomatic and strategic development.

22 languages are taught in Victorian government primary schools and 19 in secondary schools.

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About the LOTE Domain

  • Policy and funding for government schools - information about national and state policies in relation to the learning and teaching of languages, funding provided to schools and the elements of an effective program
  • Learning and Teaching Support - links to websites, online resources and tools that provide learning and teaching support for teachers
  • School Programs - information on the Victorian School of Languages, Centres of Excellence in Languages, bilingual programs and community languages schools
  • Assessment and Reporting - information, resources and tools to help teachers make a consistent and balanced assessment of student achievement
  • Professional learning - information and resources to help teachers with professional learning and schools with teacher training
  • Research and data - contains LOTE reports based on data from the annual LOTE survey of government schools conducted in August, and research on the underlying value of language learning.
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More information

LOTE-related websites and resources can be found by using the advanced search feature on the Education Channel page.

Contact Student Learning: studentlearning@edumail.vic.gov.au for more information.

LOTE and the Victorian Essential Learning Standards

Introduction, learning focus statements and standards for the LOTE domain (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/essential/discipline/lote) - provides the introduction to the domain and information on structure, transition, background speakers, the learning focus statements and standards for LOTE Pathway 1 and Pathway 2.

Progression Measures for LOTE – Prep – Year 4 (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/essential/discipline/lote/pathway1/level4.html) - lists the progression measures for LOTE for students in Years Prep – 4.

Standards and Progression Points for LOTE – Pathway 1 (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/ppoint/lote/pathway1) - lists the standards and progression points for LOTE – Pathway 1 for Levels 4-6 and beyond.

Standards and Progression Points for LOTE – Pathway 2 (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/ppoint/lote/pathway2) - lists the standards and progression points for LOTE – Pathway 2 for Levels 5-6 and beyond.

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