Languages Other Than English Domain P-10

Back to:

Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Domain

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.

Back to Top

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.
  • National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) - Increase opportunities for school students to become familiar with the languages and cultures of our Asian neighbours, namely China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.
Back to Top

Languages Strategy Discussion Paper 2009

The Victorian Government is developing a new Languages Strategy for release in 2010, a key commitment of the Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development 2008. 

The Languages Strategy will cover languages other than English (LOTE) as well as the revival and reclamation of Indigenous languages of Victoria.

In December we released the Victorian Languages Strategy Discussion Paper 2009 to form the basis of consultations for the development of the Languages Strategy.  

To find out more, see: Public Consultations

Back to Top

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 - 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 - Lists the progression measures for LOTE for students in Years Prep – 4.

Standards and Progression Points for LOTE – Pathway 1 - Lists the standards and progression points for LOTE – Pathway 1 for Levels 4-6 and beyond.

Standards and Progression Points for LOTE – Pathway 2 - Lists the standards and progression points for LOTE – Pathway 2 for Levels 5-6 and beyond.

Back to Top