Australian Curriculum: Languages

Draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Languages

Consultation 31 January to 7 April 2011

Phases of curriculum development

2008-2011

Development of the Australian Curriculum for English, Mathematics, Science and History

2010-2012

Development of the Australian Curriculum for Geography, Languages and The Arts

2010-

Development of the Australian Curriculum for the remaining areas identified in the Melbourne Declaration on Educational Goals for Young Australians

Timeline for Languages

Aug 2009 – Sept 2010Initial advice paper

31 Jan 2011 – 7 April 2011Consult-ation on draft Shape paper

July 2011Public-ation of Shape paper

Curriculum

shaping

Consultation

Curriculum

writing

From Aug 2011Curriculum outline, scope & sequences, content descriptions and achievement standards

Consultation

2012National consultation

TBAOnline publication

Publication

Development of draft Shape paper

Lead writer:Assoc. Prof. Angela Scarino Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics

Australian Languages contributor:Dr Jakelin TroyAssistant Professor, University of Canberra

Languages Advisory Panel and an Expert Group

for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Languages

NSW: Curriculum context 80 courses in 35 languages

The most studied languages are Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese and Spanish

Languages syllabuses are derived from curriculum frameworks: K-10 and Stage 6

NSW: Curriculum context (2) Board of Studies syllabus frameworks

Languages K-10

Aboriginal languages K-10

Stage 6 Beginners

Continuers

Extension

Heritage

Background speakers

About the draft Shape paper …Introduction: history, challenge and an opportunity

Languages as a learning area in the Australian Curriculum

Essential features of languages as a learning area

Rationale Distinctiveness of languages in the

curriculum

Key concepts and understandings in learning languages

Language Culture Relationship between language and

culture Understanding language learning as an

intercultural process Understanding language learning and

literacy development

Key concepts and understandings (2)

Understanding the learning of Australian languages

The learners, pathways and time on task

The learners Pathways

second language learners home user language learners first language learners

Time on task 300-400 hours K-6 130-160 hours 7-8 Further 130-160 hours 9-10 Further 200-240 hours 11-12

Curriculum design for languages

Aims Communicating in the target language

Understanding language, culture and their relationship, and thereby developing an intercultural capability in communication

Self awareness: understanding self as communicator

Curriculum design for languages (2)Organisation of learning in languages: strands

Communicating: using language for communicative purposes

Understanding: analysing language as a resource for making meaning

Reciprocating: interpreting self in relation to others as language users

Curriculum design for languages (3)The nature of knowledge, skills and understanding in the learning of languages

Knowledge of the language

Skills (knowing how)

Understanding (knowing that and knowing why)

Curriculum design for Languages (4)General capabilities and languages

Literacy Information and communication technology skills Critical and creative thinking Ethical behaviour Personal and social competence Intercultural understanding

Curriculum design for languages (5)Cross curriculum priorities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia

Sustainability

Curriculum design for languages (6)Key considerations

Key considerations for developing the Australian Curriculum: Languages

Curriculum design for languages (7) Key considerations

Staging of development Three specific curricula for Chinese and Italian

(second language learners, home user language learners, first language learners)

Specific curricula for subsequent languages to be developed only for learners in the Australian context (e.g. French for second language learners only)

Curriculum design for languages (8) Key considerations

Relationship between hours of study and achievement standards for second language learners, home user language learners and first language learners.

Curriculum design for languages (9) Key considerations

The development of an Australian Languages Framework

Curriculum design for languages (10) Key considerations

The proposed staging of development for specific languages

What aspects of the draft Shape paper are likely to attract attention?

Content organisation and terminology

Broad implications for states and territories: different content and content organisers use different curriculum terms, or similar terms in different ways different exit points and credentialling for senior students different indicative/mandatory hours of study for languages,

particularly K-10 different context for Australian (Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander) languages, including the range and nature of languages and learner groups

different priorities for the staged development of specific languages

What aspects of the draft Shape paper are likely to attract attention?

Implications for New South Wales

What are the broad implications of the draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Languages for NSW?

The inclusion of Languages as a key learning area in primary curriculum, with 300-400 indicative hours of study

Teacher supply for curriculum guarantee The need for flexible delivery, e.g. online learning to ensure

accessibility for learners The diversity of learner pathways in K-10: second language

learners, home user language learners, first language learners and implications for teaching, learning and assessment.

What aspects of the draft Shape paper are likely to attract attention?

Implications for New South Wales

What are the broad implications of the draft Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Languages for NSW?

The staged process of development of language specific curricula and the rationale for prioritisation of languages

The appropriateness of the proposed development of a Framework for Australian (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) languages for the NSW context.

How does the Shape paper address…

2010-2012 Developmentand consultationTBA PublicationTBA Implementation

2010-2012 Developmentand consultationTBA PublicationTBA Implementation

Anticipating new strategies, Global trends, theories,technologies?

Anticipating new strategies, Global trends, theories,technologies?

A curriculum for the future – how well does the draft Shape paper take account of contemporary and future practices in Languages learning?

What is the Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre doing in relation to consultation for the draft Shape paper?

Analysis of draft Shape paper – key considerations PPT with mapping and key considerations Web updates, network communications and Yammer groups Cross-directorate briefings, responses and reference groups Regional video conferences for teachers K-12 Online forums and surveys Meetings with the Primary Principals Association and Secondary

Principals Council School Education Director meetings Meetings with other key stakeholders, including foreign

government consulates and education agencies Collation of feedback and final response

What can Languages teachers do?

Regularly check the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority website for news and register for their e-newsletter:

http://www.acara.edu.au/home_page.html Regularly check the Curriculum and Learning Innovation Centre’s

website, http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/languages/index.htm

Provide feedback through consultation processes to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Board of Studies, NSW Department of Education and Training.

Contacts

Julie Flynn Group Leader Languages, HSIE and Health PE Ph: 02 9886 7644 Fax: 02 9886 7160 julie.flynn@det.nsw.edu.au

Nina Conomos Senior Curriculum Support Officer, Languages K-12 Ph: 02 9886 7511 Fax: 02 9886 7160 nina.conomos@det.nsw.edu.au