Languages Other Than English Domain P-10

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Policy and Funding for Government Schools

National policy on languages

All Australian Ministers for Education have endorsed the National Statement for Languages Education in Australian Schools (http://www.mceetya.edu.au/mceetya/default.asp) and the National Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2005-2008.

The Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) Languages Education Working Party advises the Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training about national projects to support the implementation of the Plan, and to promote the teaching of languages.

For further detail, visit the Department of Education, Science and Training website: Languages Education (http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors).

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State policy and funding for government schools

Curriculum policy

In Victoria, Languages other than English (LOTE) is a domain within the discipline-based strand in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS).

From 2008 all Victorian government schools are expected to report student achievement in language learning against the standards from Level 4 onwards.

The standards have been developed on the assumption that students have studied their language from Prep for the recommended 150 minutes contact time per week, or the equivalent.

A quality program

A quality LOTE program is provided by teachers who are qualified in the language they teach. It comprises a minimum 150 minutes per week, distributed across the week.

Establishing and maintaining a good program

Language learning is a cumulative process. Real depth of understanding and language fluency is gained through:

  • intensive engagement over a long time
  • sustained effort
  • frequent, regular lessons
  • appropriate time allocation across each week.

Cooperation between schools is essential to optimise continuity of language learning offered and ensure a smooth transition from primary to secondary school.

Funding

Government schools are funded to provide programs that will enable their students to achieve the Victorian Essential Learning Standards, across all Domains, including Languages other than English (LOTE) through the Student Resource Package (SRP).

In addition, $50 million per annum is included in the SRP in recognition of the special needs associated with the provision of LOTE programs.

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