National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program

The Australian Government, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), has committed funding of $62.4 million over 2008-09 to 2010-11 for the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) to increase opportunities for school students to become familiar with the languages and cultures of our Asian neighbours, namely China, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

This commitment recognises the importance of Asian languages and studies of Asia in ensuring young Australians are equipped with the skills to allow them to compete in the globalised economy of the future.

The aspirational target for NALSSP is that, by 2020, at least 12 percent of students will exit Year 12 with a fluency in one of the target Asian languages sufficient for engaging in trade and commerce in Asia and/or university study.

Victorian initiatives

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) together with the Association of Independent Schools Victoria (ASIV) and the Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV) have opted to work cross-sectorally to implement the NALSSP program. This is based on successful cooperation on National LOTE and Studies of Asia projects in previous years. The DEECD is the lead management agency and is responsible for the NALSSP cross-sectoral committee and individual sectors with take the lead for the management of key projects.

Opportunity exists for individual sectors to collaborate through ‘buy in’ to specific initiatives which allow flexibility and participation as needs are identified.  Over the life of this funding initiative, Victoria will be allocated $10.66 million shared proportionately amongst the three sectors.

For summary information on each project, click on the appropriate link.

1. Network/Region Support Project
2. Chinese Teacher Training Centre
3. ICT Professional Learning Programs
4. Victorian School of Languages Web Learning
5. Study Tours for Principals and Teachers
6. Mapping of Studies of Asia Programs in Schools
7. Language Advisors
8. Research Project into provision of Korean in mainstream schools
9. Teacher Qualifications upgrade
10. Digital Exemplars
11. Professional Standards
12. Leadership Learning for Asian Languages School Leaders
13. Studies of Asia/Asian Languages Professional Learning
14. New LOTE Teacher Support/Professional Learning Group
15. Building Sustainable Asia-literate schools
16. Young Ambassadors for Language Learning
17. Student Language Immersion
18. Developing Leadership Capacity
19. NALSSP and the Mlearning Generation
20. Research Project – factors affecting student choice in continuing LOTE beyond the compulsory years

Partners in this NALSSP initiative are:

• Studies of Asia
• DEEWR - NALSSP
• Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV)
• Association of Independent Schools of Victoria, Australia (AISV) or contact: Ms Sharyne Rankine on 9825 7247

1. Network/Region Support Project

Funding period: 2010-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

This initiative provides funding support for specific projects, determined at the Network/Regional level to strengthen existing provision, enhance provision, and address transition issues in conjunction with Regional Network Leaders. Funding will be used to address issues related to the infrastructure related to provision of the targeted Asian languages within the networks.

2. Chinese Teacher Training Centre

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

The Chinese Teacher Training Centre (CTTC) initiative will have a high level of impact by positioning Victoria as the leader in the teaching and learning of Chinese in the Oceania Region. The establishment of a CTTC in Victoria, as one of three global centres funded in partnership with The Office of the Chinese Language Council International, China (Hanban) will impact on the professional learning opportunities available to prospective and existing LOTE teachers. The services provided through the CTTC will include professional learning, resource development and research. The University of Melbourne, is the partner university to provide services for the CTTC.

3. ICT Professional Development

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

Studies of Asia - Accessing the ICT world gives teachers greater access to the contemporary aspects of culture and language. Professional learning programs will enable teachers to provide students with classroom based and real life opportunities to interact, collaborate and learn with and from their Asian counterparts as well as increasing the demand and make explicit the need for engagement, understanding and communication skills with China, Japan, Indonesia and Korea. A component of this program will focus on upskilling teachers in the use of ICT in the classroom, in particular, Web 2 technologies.

Languages - Increased proficiency in ICT, in particular, Web 2 technologies and their use as a teaching and learning tool will be the focus of professional learning programs available for languages teachers in the targeted Asian languages.

4. VSL Web Learning

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

This initiative will provide a rich language-learning website offering digital resources in Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese to students at secondary level creating effective courses and networks for flexible learning. This integrated e-learning experience utilises the VSL online platform. 

Currently available to students enrolled in the Victorian School of Languages (VSL) only, this expansion will provide opportunities to students in all schools.

5. Study Tours for Principals and Teachers

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

Participation in an in-country study tour will position teachers and principals to stimulate student demand through development of teacher contemporary knowledge of Asia, ability to engage students in classroom activities, and to positively contribute to whole school approaches to development of Asia literacy.

6. Mapping of Asia Literacy Programs

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

Many schools have well developed Asian perspectives embedded into their school ethos and curriculum. This exercise will map the type and breadth of such programs and provide a basis for building upon existing structures. The strategy will draw together disparate threads and provide a cohesive picture of the whole. It will be valuable because it will provide a rich body of evidence about current approaches to Studies of Asia. A significant amount of the allocated funds will be directed towards the creation of a resource for schools to assist in the implementation of new Studies of Asia programs. Expressions of interest have already been issued to member schools to gauge interest in forming a network discussion/professional learning group.

7. Language Advisers

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

This initiative provides direct advice and support to existing teachers of Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese in their local contexts with the aim of strengthening the quality of existing programs as well as extending provision. The Language Advisers will work directly with existing teachers in meeting their professional learning needs, providing advice on program planning and delivery and resource development. They will also work with LOTE Regional Project Officers, Regional Network Leaders, the studies of Asia Advisor and principals in support of LOTE classes P-2 within their networks of the targeted Asian Languages – Chinese, Indonesian and Japanese. They will also work with home governments of these languages to capture opportunities for strengthening LOTE programs.

8. Korean Research Project

Funding period: 2009
Lead Agency: DEECD

This initiative will research the viability of extending current provision of Korean language in Victoria. It will focus on strategies to extend current provision of Korean in the Victorian School of Languages and Community Languages Schools and provide options and recommendations for wider provision in mainstream schools focusing on long term sustainability.

9. Teacher Qualifications Upgrade

Funding period: 2010-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

This initiative provides University credit bearing courses to support existing and potential teachers of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indonesian, and Studies of Asia. It will increase the qualifications of the current cohort of LOTE and Studies of Asia teachers and add to the number of teachers with qualifications in teaching in these areas. 

This initiative includes an expansion of the current scholarship program with funding support for tuition fees/CRT release as well as specific courses mounted for targeted teachers to fast track languages training including an intensive in-country language development experience.

The specially commissioned languages courses would have a face to face component which would be localised, fit in with the demands of the school year and have a component of online delivery to facilitate participation. There is also possibility for working with home governments to capture opportunities for visiting professors to provide input into these courses as well as an in-country component.

The Graduate Certificate in Education (Studies of Asia) will build teacher expertise, supply and support for studies of Asia. It will enable implementation of the National Statement, whole school approaches and embedding  Asia literacy across the curriculum. These teachers will be positioned to strongly support and be supported by the Asian language program. It will stimulate student learning and student demand for Asia literacy.

10. Digital exemplars

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: CECV

This project will develop approximately 10 online digital exemplars of schools’ innovative approaches to Languages and Studies of Asia with a view of increasing teacher support and stimulating student demand, with reference to:

a) Pathways for Australian School Students to Achieve High Levels of Proficiency in Asian Languages,  report prepared for the NALSAS Taskforce (1999) and

b) National Statement for Engaging Young Australians with Asia in Australian Schools.

Maximum impact will be achieved by using the digital materials as part of professional learning programs aiming at promoting excellence in teaching and learning, and increasing student participation in the study of languages.

Exemplars will demonstrate innovative approaches to the teaching of languages with particular focus on

• Use of contemporary tools for language learning
• Differentiated curriculum
• Use of language centres for maximising teaching and learning
• Community involvement
• Strategies for promoting continuity of study of languages, P-12
• Integrated approach to the study of Asian languages and cultures

11. Professional Standards

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: CECV

This project is based on the National Professional Standards Project for Languages conducted in 2008 by the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teacher Associations, the Modern Language Teacher Associations in each state and the Centre for Languages and Cultures Education in South Australia.

Although retaining all the elements of the original project, it is proposed that this program be strengthened with a number of additional components, to be piloted.

This project will:

1. Involve close cooperation between the sector and the Modern Language Teachers Association of Victoria.
2. Invite suitably qualified and practicing teachers of Asian languages to participate
3. Deliver professional development modules focusing on the dimensions of educational theory and practice, language and culture and language pedagogy
4. Engage teachers who have been trained in the program to act as coaches during the investigation phase of the program
5. Require teachers to showcase their case studies, with exemplars to be published online

In addition, this project will:

6. Provide briefing sessions for teachers and school leaders before the commencement of the program, to ensure a stronger school-commitment
7. Seek University accreditation for the program, enabling teachers to use credits towards further university studies

12. Leadership Learning for Asian Languages School Leaders

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

Improving the capacity of leadership to deliver the NALSSP intent is essential to its success. This five day course for up to 30 LOTE leaders per year will explore the issues and considerations around leading school teams. Topics will include 21^st century pedagogy, managing self and others, managing change, ICT, exploring ways to use community resources, building partnerships and advocacy.

13. Studies of Asia / Asian Languages Professional Learning

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

Many research studies indicate the connection between teacher professional learning and improved student outcomes. This initiative will include support for teachers to attend national and international conferences, and to undertake university courses and workshop/seminar programs.  This proposal will support an estimate of 40 teachers over the course of the program.

14. New LOTE Teacher Support / Professional Learning Group

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

The group will bring graduate teachers together on a regular basis under the guidance of an experienced teacher / mentor who will support them in their role as Asian languages teachers. New LOTE teachers grapple with an array of challenges, both inside and outside the classroom which often leads to great personal and professional challenge. This group will provide an opportunity for teachers to share their personal stories while accessing sound guidance from an experienced teacher. It is expected that such support will reduce the numbers of teachers who leave LOTE teaching.  This group will target an initial group of 50 graduates.

15. Building Sustainable Asia Literate Schools

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

This program will build sustainable Asia-literate schools by providing two pathways for Principals to lead this work:

1. implementing the successful 2008 Leading 21^st Century Schools Project or,
2. supporting principals to undertake the new Principals’ Association of Australia on-line module on building and leading Asia-literate schools.

The program includes consultancy support by a Studies of Asia expert. This was a critical success factor in the 2008 program.

16. Young Ambassadors for Language Learning

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

The impact of this initiative is based on the positive effect on secondary students of direct access to young people who have achieved proficiency in a targeted Asian language and are applying these skills in their workplaces as a motivator for secondary students to continue with language study. The selected motivational speakers will share their stories via the web or in brochure format and will be available to speak to school groups upon invitation.

17. Student Language Immersion

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: DEECD

Both Victorian based study experience (language camp) and in country student study tours will achieve maximum impact by accelerating language proficiency, motivating learners to continue with learning Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian to VCE Year 12 and providing a direct experience of a recreated linguistic and cultural context which can then be used by students as a reference point in their understanding of the background culture. 

This initiative will give senior students a concentrated experience of language learning and by direct experience, lead to a significant increase in mastery of Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian for fuller participation in and understanding of the target culture.

18. Developing Leadership Capacity

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: CECV

This project will develop leadership capacity in languages and studies of Asia through evidence-based approach to whole-school design and professional learning programs to support teachers and leaders in targeted areas.

This professional learning program targets curriculum leaders in schools, with a particular focus on Secondary schools.

The program will utilise both face-to-face sessions and online facilities to

• Consider existing challenges to student participation and continuity of learning
• Take stock of effective ways of encouraging student participation in the study of languages and cultures
• Online publication of a range of successful strategies used.

19. NALSSP and the Mlearning Generation

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

This initiative supports the Melbourne Declaration’s goal that young Australians become ‘creative and productive users of technology, especially ICT’. It resonates in the National Plan for Languages key platform that the use of information and communication technologies in languages classroom provides an opportunity for students to achieve high level outcomes. The project will provide for individualized learning and an entrée into new authentic assessment regimes for teachers. AISV research indicates that teachers report a drop off in the willingness of students to engage orally with their LOTE learning as they move into senior years. M-learning taps into students’ familiarity with, and interest in, technology.  The project will take learning outside the constraints of the classroom and provides for supported learning through digital technology.

20. Research Project Factors Affecting Student Choice in Continuing LOTE Beyond the Compulsory Years

Funding period: 2009-2011
Lead Agency: AISV

This research will identify why students discontinue their LOTE study beyond the compulsory years. It will explore the factors that impact upon students and schools, affecting the numbers of students taking their language to the VCE level. Areas to be examined will include the perceptions of languages learning from the parents, school leadership and students. It will explore the ways in which teacher practice determines retention rates and identify strategies for improving engagement. Recommendations will include whole school approaches to improving retention of LOTE students.