Blog Archives

Language Teacher Network – Virtual

31/5/2021

The Virtual Language Teacher Network will hold its Term 2 meeting on Wednesday 9 June.
The meeting will focus on Stage 6 assessment – non-HSC style with interrelated tasks combining multi macro skills and their connection to Stage 4 and 5 task-based assessment.

If you teach in a geographically remote location, or you are unable to attend your local geographical network, please join us.

This session will run via Microsoft Teams. You will receive the link via the confirmation email when you enrol on MyPL.

Please enrol on MyPL.
Course code: NR18042
Date: Wednesday 9 June 2021
Venue: Microsoft Teams
Time: 4:00-4:45 pm - there will be time for discussion at the end.

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the network leaders Evia Kyriacou or Coreena Allen.

If you're unable to join us live, we will record the session.

Statewide staff meeting – cultures of thinking in the language classroom

31/5/2021

Have you enrolled in this week's meeting yet?

Cultures of thinking in the language classroom explores thinking routines and tools with a focus on the language classroom. We will look at ways to make thinking visible and how to advance the thinking of students to deepen understanding and engagement.

We will explore:
- the culture of a thinking language classroom
- thinking routines and activities that align with language resources available on our website
- templates and scaffolds to use with language classes.

Please enrol in the session on MyPL to receive the link to the online meeting. Search for course code NR29242, and select the session for Thursday 3 June, then select enrol.

The link for each statewide staff meeting is different, so you do need to enrol in each session.

We look forward to seeing you there! The session will be recorded for those unable to join us.

If you haven't joined our statewide staffroom yet, please complete our short entry survey to join. Log in using your department email.

Language Teacher Network – Hunter/Newcastle

27/5/2021

The Hunter/Newcastle Language Teachers' Network will hold its Term 2 meeting on Thursday 10 June. The focus will be on:
- consistency in marking (we will look at a sample task with marking guidelines to discuss common standards for achievement and expectations)
- increasing speaking opportunities in the languages classroom (collaborative discussion and brainstorm on speaking activities).

It is essential that members register prior to attending this event.

Enrol via MyPL, for both in person and online attendees.
Course code: NR18042
Session: Hunter Network Meeting – Newcastle High Term 2 2021
Date and time: Monday 10 June 4:30-5:30 pm
Topic: Collaborative discussions on consistency in marking and increasing speaking opportunities
Venue: Newcastle High School (and online simultaneously)

For more information, contact the network leader Coreena Allen.

Language Teacher Network – Sydney Greater West

26/5/2021

The Sydney Greater West Language Teachers' Network will hold its Term 2 meeting on Monday 7 June. The focus will be on:
- Working towards higher levels of accreditation as a Languages teacher.

It is essential that members register prior to attending this event.
Enrol via MyPL:
Course Code: NR25533
Session: Sydney Greater West Languages Network Meeting Term 2 2021
Date and time: Monday 7 June 3:30-5:00 pm
Topic: Working towards higher levels of accreditation as a Languages teacher
Venue: The Ponds High School Room E.28. This is located on the oval in the new demountable classrooms.

For more information contact the network leader Amanda Singh.

Language Teacher Network – Armidale

25/5/2021

The Armidale Language Teacher Network will hold its Term 2 meeting on Wednesday 9 June. The focus of the meeting will be on:
- Stage 6 assessment – writing non-HSC style assessment tasks for Stage 6 – NESA requirements around assessment in languages
- Stages 4 and 5 – writing skills and building confidence in using language authentically
- collaborative planning of scope and sequences for Stages 4 and 5.

Enrol via MyPL:
Course code: NR25533
Session: Armidale and surrounds language network meeting
Date: Wednesday 9 June 2021
Time: 1:30-4:30 pm
Venue: Armidale Secondary College – staff common room

For further information contact the network leader, Deborah Moore.

Assessment resources for primary language teachers

19/5/2021

We are very happy to share assessment resources to support primary language teachers.

These resources support teachers in implementing evidence-based assessment practices throughout the teaching and learning cycle, in the context of both communicative language tasks and practice activities.

The resources include:
· Stage 1 – chatterbox unit starter
· Stage 3 – restaurant unit
· Stage 3 – restaurant assessment task
· Stage 3 – assessment rubric
· Multi-Stage – intentional observation checklist
· Multi-Stage – rubric for communicative tasks
· Multi-Stage – peer and self-assessment for communicative activities
· Multi-Stage – using a chatterbox in the language classroom video.

Language teachers – please tell us how you find your inspiration, and what interests you...

19/5/2021

Results update as at 19.05.21 – there have been some changes!
What are you passionate about in regards to language learning and teaching?
89.5% say "engaging classroom activities and resources"
86.8% say "student enjoyment and satisfaction of learning a language"

What are your main sources of inspiration?
71.1% say "informal sharing with colleagues"
65.8% say "social media"

What topics would you be most interested in learning more about?
81.6% say more support for 7-10 (assessment and programming)
65.8% say "student engagement in language learning"

The Languages and Culture team is excited to announce that we are currently developing innovative support in implementing curriculum 7-12 with a focus on quality teaching and programming in languages. The support will be published on our curriculum website.

The support focuses on you – the language teacher, and we need your voices to be heard. The survey is easy – just the 3 questions listed at the start of this post. We'd like at least 100 responses to ensure our data is a fair representation of all your teaching contexts.

The suite of support will include video interviews and podcasts with practising teachers, sharing their expertise and experiences in their chosen field of interest.

As always, we want to provide you with better-tailored support and want to know what inspires you to be the best language teacher you can be. What are you most passionate about in language teaching and learning?

Your feedback is important to us. Please take this 2-minute survey to help shape our support and content. Alternatively, go to the QR code to access the survey. Take this amazing journey with us and have your say!

High potential and gifted education in languages 7-12 – recording now available

14/5/2021

Thank you to the 63 colleagues who joined us live for yesterday's session on High potential and gifted education in languages 7-12. We hoped you enjoyed meeting Ella and learning more about how you can use the differentiation adjustment tool to meet the needs of individual HPGE students in your classroom.

You can now access the recording on our YouTube channel.

If you'd like to help us plan our next steps in support, please reply to the post in our statewide staffroom.

Language Teacher Networks – Sydney CBD/East and Sydney South

13/5/2021

The Sydney CBD/East and South Sydney networks will hold a combined meeting in Term 2, on Thursday 10 June. The meeting will focus on:
- Stage 6 assessment – exploring non-HSC style and incorporating multi macro skills
- Stages 4 and 5 task-based assessment using the K-10 Syllabus.

Enrol via MyPL:
Date: Thursday 10 June 2021
Time: 3:30-5:00 pm
Venue: Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/62631232008?pwd=cTVFaXZOVkRGd25GaUkzMk12ZkFtQT09
Meeting ID: 626 3123 2008
Passcode: 082966

For more information contact the network leaders Ke Fan or Marina Azmy.

Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus – seeking casual teacher

12/5/2021

NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus is urgently seeking a casual relief German/French teacher for Weeks 5 and 6 in Term 2. The position can be either 5 days/week or 2 days/week – Tuesday and Thursday.

The successful candidate will:
- have the ability to teach German to Stage 6
- have the ability to teach French to Stage 4 (Stage 6 preferred)
- be willing to teach Year 7 Japanese (well supported).

Interested candidates should send their CV and referee contact details by 5 pm Thursday 13 May 2021 to:

Ms Mary-Anne Bianchin
HT Languages
NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus
mary-anne.bianchin@det.nsw.edu.au