It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of David Jaffray.
 
David was a teacher of Japanese at Killara High School and Hunters Hill High School before joining the Curriculum Directorate of the department at Ryde state office where he worked as a Senior Languages Consultant specialising in the incorporation of technology in languages teaching and learning.
 
In addition to his expertise in Japanese, David was an engineer and he applied his many skills to become an early leader in the development of languages and technology resources. In 1994, when Curriculum Directorate had only one computer with email access, David and Sally Shimada – former Languages Consultant for Japanese collaborated with the University of NSW to produce an innovative CD-ROM for teaching Japanese. David was a ground breaker at a time when very few technology resources were available.
 
In the following years, David worked across languages developing CD-ROMs and online language programs. His technical and communication skills, combined with his diligence and keen eye for detail, enhanced the incorporation of technology in languages programs in many schools. David also worked with the Board of Studies on HSC Japanese examination committees and served as a Supervisor of Marking for many years.
 
With his friend, Masumi Sorrell, David co-authored the Wakatta textbooks for senior Japanese. Many teachers of Japanese continue to use this highly regarded resource, an affirmation of David's skills as a language educator.
 
David was a very kind, modest, talented and successful man, who will be sadly missed by his family and his many friends and colleagues.
 
Contributed by Sally Shimada, former Japanese Languages Consultant.
 

Are you interested in developing the HSC exams?
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Each year NESA accepts applications from teachers and academics with appropriate experience and qualifications.

The 2020 HSC exam development application information is now available. Please visit the NESA website to access the application and more information.

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​NESA, along with other states and territories in Australia, is conducting a survey in relation to the current CCAFL Framework. The survey is to provide NESA with data that can be used to develop a new CCAFL Framework and future CCAFL syllabuses. 

If you are interested, you may attend a consultation meeting on Wednesday 3 July from 4pm to 6pm at the NESA offices. 
 
You can access the consultation survey here – unlike other consultation surveys, the link will not be available on the NESA website. It is anticipated that this survey will take approximately 30 minutes.
 
Places for this consultation are limited. If you are interested in attending this session, please respond to Josephine Ardino by Monday 1 July to confirm a place at the consultation meeting. 

The Languages and Culture team has a dedicated group on Yammer to support language teachers 7-12 in NSW public schools – Languages NSW (7-12).

We already have over 240 teachers who have joined the group, and they're asking us all sorts of questions – it's like our virtual staffroom for language teachers!

Questions which we've answered recently include:
- How do we report on Years 7 and 9?
- Do you have to have an assessment schedule for Stages 4 and 5?
- How can Year 7 students be accelerated?
- Why does Year 10 have more assessment tasks than Year 11?
- Do we have to assess all outcomes?
- How do I use the course performance descriptors?

Feeling shy? That's ok – you can post your questions anonymously via our Google Form.

Yammer can be used as an app on your phone or tablet, or on your desktop, and it's as easy to use as Facebook!

Phone or tablet
Download the Yammer app and then join the Languages NSW (7-12) group – make sure you set up notifications so that you know when a new message/conversation is happening. Don't panic - there are only a few each week, not hundreds!

Desktop
1. Log into the portal.
2. Go to 'My ppplications'.
3. Search for Yammer and save to 'My essentials'.
4. Join the Languages NSW (7-12) group.

Yammer is a social media platform, so you can read any of the previous conversations. We hope to see you there soon!

​The Language Teacher Network – Hunter/Newcastle will hold its Term 2 meeting on Thursday of Week 8.

Date: Thursday 20 June 2019
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Venue: Hunter School of Performing Arts, Broadmeadow.
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Everyone is welcome.

Please enrol via MyPL course code NR18042 Hunter Network meeting Term 2 2019.
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For further information, please email Coreena Allen. 

Our Languages Advisory Network Group (LANG) has developed registered professional learning on Stage 6 school-based assessment for Beginners and Continuers courses.

Before we roll out the professional learning state-wide, we're looking to trial the PL with a small group of teachers who will participate in the course and then provide feedback.

If you are interested and available on Friday 28 June from 12:30pm to attend a face-to-face session at our offices in Darlinghurst (Sydney), please email amanda.singh6@det.nsw.edu.au by close of business on Monday 17 June. Lunch will be provided.

The course will be available both face-to-face and via Adobe Connect from Term 3.

Saturday School of Community Languages, Liverpool Boys HS Centre is seeking a Stage 6 Vietnamese and and a Stage 6 Croatian teacher. The positions start as soon as possible.
 
To apply and for further information, please contact Sana Zreika on 9244 5694. 

The Language Teacher Network – Sydney South West will hold its Term 2 meeting on Thursday of Week 8.

Date: Thursday 20 June 2019
Time: 1:30-3.30pm
Agenda: Support teachers to further understand their students from refugees background and to provide ideas and tools to cater for these students and their special needs in the languages classroom.

Please enrol via MyPL course code NR24996, Languages Network Meetings 2019. 
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For further information, please email Suzanne Safi or call 96319419.