Languages professional learning

To improve the qualifications and quality of language teachers, the Department offers scholarships for language teachers currently employed in Victorian Government mainstream schools to complete a Languages Methodology course and funds language maintenance courses.

Language teacher training scholarships

Language teachers currently employed in Victorian Government mainstream schools are invited to apply for a scholarship to undertake a Graduate Certificate in Modern Languages Education at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne. Several scholarships are available.

The course will comprise of 50 points of compulsory subjects and 22 days of supervised placement at a school during school hours. For further information about the course, see Graduate Certificate in Modern Languages Education

Applicants must have a major in the language or a Statement of Equivalence as well as a Victorian Institute of Teaching registration. Teachers without a language major can obtain a Statement of Equivalence from a Victorian university to verify that the knowledge and competence in the language meets the standard of a major study in the language. For further information, see Statement of Equivalence.

Language teachers who have already completed a Language Methodology course are not eligible to apply.

For more information and to apply, contact the Languages Unit at languages.query@education.vic.gov.au

Language maintenance courses

Language maintenance courses are available for language teachers currently employed in Victorian Government mainstream schools. The courses are generally delivered locally and typically include 40 to 70 hours of instruction. Teachers generally undertake these courses in their own time, either on the weekends or during school holidays.

For information about language specific courses send an enquiry to languages.query@education.vic.gov.au

Subject associations

The department provides annual funding to the following language teacher associations to support language programs in schools, including through teacher professional development and language immersion activities for students.

• Modern Language Teachers' Association of Victoria (MLTAV)
• Association of French Teachers in Victoria (AFTV)
• Association of German Teachers of Victoria (AGTV)
  
• Chinese Language Teachers' Association of Victoria (CLTAV)
  
• Japanese Language Teachers' Association of Victoria (JLTAV)
• Modern Greek Teachers' Association of Victoria (MGTAV)
  
• Victorian Association for Teachers of Spanish (VATS)
  
• Victorian Association of Teachers of Italian (VATI)
• Victorian Indonesian Language Teachers' Association (VILTA)
  
• Vietnamese Teachers' Association of Victoria (VTAV)
  
• Victorian Arabic Language Teachers' Association (VALTA)
  
• Turkish Teachers’ Association of Victoria (TTAV)
  
• Association of Korean Teachers of Victoria (AKTV)
  

Cultural organisations

Alliance Française − an Australian non-profit association dedicated to the promotion of the French language and culture.

The Asia Education Foundation − provides schools and teachers with a range of services that include curriculum resources, advice for schools, professional learning programs, study tours and conferences in Asia and an email discussion group.

CO.AS.IT − a community organisation for Italians and Australians of Italian descent. Education services include language assistants, language classes, the Museo Italiano and a resource centre to support Italian school programs.

The Confucius Institute at The University of Melbourne and the Confucius Institute at La Trobe University promote Chinese culture and language and provide support for the teaching of Chinese here are two Confucius Institutes in Victoria.

Goethe Institut-Melbourne − The cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany provides a range of services and resources to support the teaching and learning of German.

Greek Education Office − This education office is located at the Greek Consulate in Melbourne and provides support for the teaching and learning of Greek in Victoria.

Italian Institute of Culture − an official body of the Italian State that promotes Italian language and culture by providing cultural events and language courses.

Japan Information & Cultural Centre − The cultural institute of the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne promotes Japanese culture and language through the organisation of events, seminars and international conferences.

The Japan Foundation − promotes cultural exchange between Japan and other nations. The Foundation provides a diverse range of cultural activities introducing art, culture and society, and programs and resources to support Japanese language education.

Monash Japanese Language Education Centre (MJLEC) − provides a variety of activities, resources and programs for teachers of Japanese. There is a focus on developing teaching skills and creating teaching materials.

Spanish Education Office − provides support for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language at all levels. It provides professional learning activities, information and advice on educational resources, a journal for teachers of Spanish and an exchange mailing list.

Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre – hosts more than 20,000 artefacts, artworks and photographs, has an interactive sound and visual exhibition and a range of tours.

Regional project officers

Regional project officers assist schools and teachers by promoting the benefits of languages and supporting schools to establish and sustain quality languages programs.

North-Eastern Region
Email: nevr@education.vic.gov.au

North-Western Region
Email: nwvr@education.vic.gov.au

South-Eastern Region
Email: sevr@education.vic.gov.au

South-Western Region
Email: swvr@education.vic.gov.au