Student Learning

Languages other than English (LOTE) Domain - Professional Learning

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

This section contains information, resources and tools to help teachers with their professional learning.

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Subject associations

Modern Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria (http://www.mltav.asn.au) – is a professional association for languages teachers. The website provides information on language associations, advocacy, publications, grants, professional learning opportunities and membership. Action research projects offered through the Strategic Partnerships program include: Interdisciplinary Learning in LOTE; Intercultural Language Learning Prep to Year 12; LOTE in VELS Prep to Year 10; and Assessment for, as and of learning.

Funded subject associations

The following language-specific teacher associations also receive professional development funding:

The Modern Language Teachers' Association of Victoria website has further information and links to single language associations (SLAs) (http://www.mltav.asn.au/content/view/54/67).

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LOTE teaching qualifications

In addition to general teaching qualifications, the recommended qualifications for teaching languages in Victorian Government schools are:

Secondary teachers who were employed in government schools before the beginning of the 1996 school year are considered qualified to teach a language if they had completed a post-year 12 language sub major.

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Statement of equivalence

Procedures have been developed by the Department in conjunction with Victorian universities to enable universities to assess the oral and written language proficiency of potential teachers, and their understanding of the relevant society, culture and literature. The criteria for judgement are equivalent to those used for assessing students exiting third year, post Year 12 tertiary level. The method of assessment is outlined in the Guidelines for Completion of the Assessment Record (PDF - 63Kb).

The assessment is only relevant to persons interested in becoming LOTE teachers; it is not an alternative means of gaining eligibility for academic awards or teaching qualifications. Moreover, the assessment does not relate to the language method and practicum requirement.

Prospective candidates need to contact the university of their choice to arrange an assessment. Any costs involved will be the responsibility of the candidate. Upon the completion of the assessment, the university will provide the applicant with the results. The applicant should retain the assessment record for use in providing evidence of language proficiency for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), to prospective employers, or for entry to relevant courses.

View Online: Victorian Universities offering to test for Statement of Equivalence (PDF - 36Kb)

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Languages training programs

The Department continues to provide funding to increase the number of fully qualified LOTE teachers available to government schools by enabling currently employed ongoing and contract teachers, who have the endorsement of their principal, to undertake credit-bearing language and/or LOTE methodology courses.

Language courses
University courses that offer flexibility in terms of contact and delivery mode have been identified in order to especially meet the needs of practising teachers. As far as possible, study can be undertaken at times to suit the needs of schools. In some cases, however, release to complete course requirements may be necessary. For details of language courses see: University courses and contact details (Excel - 27Kb).

The Department will cover the full cost of tuition for appropriate teachers. Up to 10 days study leave per year (pro rata for part time teachers) will be available to teachers undertaking language study, to prepare for class assignments or attend examinations. Download the Language Courses application form (Word - 57Kb).

LOTE methodology courses
The following programs are available for teachers in 2007:

The Department will cover all tuition costs for these courses and up to 15 days of teacher release funding to support government school teacher’s participation in the required teaching practicum.

All face to face courses are held at times suitable for practising teachers. Intensive holiday programs, distance education, after school and weekend courses are possible options. Programs may also be provided through regional universities or at off-campus locations in country regions if there is sufficient demand.

For further information contact studentlearning@edumail.vic.gov.au

Rural Retraining Program (http://www.teaching.vic.gov.au/news/rurretrain) - teachers in rural areas can gain support, including course costs and up to 20 days study leave per annum through the Rural Retraining Program to undertake language and/or LOTE Methodology study. 60 teachers are currently undertaking language/LOTE Methodology courses.

Career Change Program (http://www.teaching.vic.gov.au/news/careerchg) - schools experiencing difficulties in filling languages teacher vacancies may seek funding through the Career Change Program to employ experienced professionals from another career stream as trainee teachers. These professionals could be either native speakers or people who have done 4 years language study at tertiary level.

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Employment information

The following links provide information on gaining or changing employment within the Victorian Department of Education.

Victorian Institute of Teaching (http://www.vit.vic.edu.au) - all teachers must be registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching before gaining employment in a Victorian government school. VIT Teacher's Hotline 1300 888 067.

Teaching@DEECD (http://www.teaching.vic.gov.au) - provides access to information for those considering a teaching career, as well as experienced teachers and graduates seeking employment in Victoria’s government schools.

Recruitment Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/hrweb/careers/) - is aimed at linking the right person with the right position in a government school. It is available to those seeking employment, promotion or transfer to teacher, assistant principal, principal or school services officer vacancies. You can search and apply for current vacancies, set up job alerts to be notified of vacancies matching your search criteria, and choose to be included in the Job Seeker Pool (talent pool).

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Cultural organisations

Alliance Française (http://www.afmelbourne.asn.au) - an Australian non-profit association dedicated to the promotion of the French language and culture

CO.AS.IT (http://www.coasit.com.au) - a community organisation for Italians and Australians of Italian descent. Education services include the provision of network leaders; a secondary schools advisor; language assistants; language classes; education officers, and a resource centre to support Italian school programs.

Italian Institute of Culture (http://www.iicmelbourne.esteri.it/IIC_Melbourne/Menu/Istituto/Chi_siamo) - is an official body of the Italian State which aims to promote and diffuse Italian language and culture by organising cultural events and language courses.

Goethe Institut-Melbourne (http://www.goethe.de/ins/au/lp/lrn/mel/enindex.htm) - the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany which provides a range of services and resources to support the teaching and learning of German.

The Confucius Institute (http://www.confuciusinstitute.unimelb.edu.au) - is based at the University of Melbourne and aims to promote Chinese culture and language and provide support for the teaching of Chinese.

Japan Information & Cultural Centre - JICC (http://www.melbourne.au.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc) - the cultural institute of the Consulate-General of Japan aims to promote Japanese culture and language through the organisation of events, seminars and international conferences. The JICC library carries a collection of teaching materials that are available for schools to borrow.

The Japan Foundation (http://www.jpf.org.au) - aims to promote cultural exchange between Japan and other nations. They organise a diverse range of cultural activities introducing art, culture and society, coordinate various programs and resources to support Japanese language education.

Melbourne Centre for Japanese Language Education (http://arts.monash.edu.au/affiliates/mcjle) - provides a variety of activities, resources and programs for teachers of Japanese in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. There is a focus on developing teaching skills, creating teaching materials and encouraging the enhancement of professionalism among teachers.

The Asia Education Foundation (http://asiaeducation.edu.au/index_flash.htm) - provides schools and teachers with a range of services which include: curriculum resources, advice for schools, professional learning programs, study tours and conferences in Asia, and an email discussion group.

Spanish Education Office (http://www.mec.es/sgci/au) - this education office offers support for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language at all levels. It provides: professional learning activities; information and advice on educational resources; information about scholarships; a journal for teachers of Spanish and offers and an exchange mailing list.

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Regional project officers

Regional project officers assist schools and teachers with effective provision of Languages other than English. LOTE project officers, located in each region, assist schools by promoting the benefits of learning languages, facilitating the operation of LOTE specific teacher networks, organising professional learning programs, advising schools with the logistics of establishing a quality LOTE program and assisting with teacher supply issues.

Contacts

Southern Metropolitan Region
Lisa Dowse
Email: dowse.lisa.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Barwon South Western Region
Viviana Golding
Email: golding.viviana.vm@edumail.vic.gov.au

Eastern Metropolitan Region
Susan Fraser
Email: fraser.susan.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Western Metropolitan Region
Christine Bozin
Email: bozin.christine.c@edumail.vic.gov.au

Northern Metropolitan Region
Lidia Faranda
Email: faranda.lidia.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Grampians Region
Peter Shaw-Truex
Email: shaw-truex.peter.p@edumail.vic.gov.au

Loddon Mallee Region
Marlene Dingle
Email: dingle.marlene.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

Hume Region
Josie Ellett
Email: ellett.margaret.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

Gippsland Region
Robyn Young
Email: young.robyn.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

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Language advisors

Language specific advisors for Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish and German, in conjunction with their governments, are available to support schools through professional learning activities and advice about program implementation and development.

Advisors work closely with their relevant language teacher associations which have received funding from the Department to provide professional learning activities and other support for language teachers.

Chinese Advisor
Ms Wei Hongxia
Email: Wei.hongxia.h@edumail.vic.gov.au

Indonesian Advisor
Ms Prue Price
Email: price.prudence.r@edumail.vic.gov.au

Spanish Advisor
Dr Luis Martin
Email: martin.luis.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

German Advisor
Mr Torsten Schulz
Email: torsten.schulz@melbourne.goethe.org

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