Millions of Australians speak hundreds of languages other than English, yet as a nation we have a frustratingly monolingual mindset that denies our multilingual reality. 

T​ongue tied and fluent is a 5-part podcast which explores multicultural Australia from a languages perspective. Part 3 focuses on the Australian education system, which both values and devalues languages other than English. So schools play a crucial role in contributing to a multilingual Australia — or do they?

Please go to the series website or the ABC Listen app to access all 5 episodes.

Puss in boots, a bilingual interactive puppet show by Carrousel Theatre, will be touring in NSW from Monday 15 to Friday 26 June 2020. Book now for your 2020 bilingual show available in French, Italian, German or Spanish. It is suitable for primary and secondary schools, up to Year 8. We adapt the language of the show to suit the age group attending.
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Price: $6.90 (+ GST) per student.

Contact 03 93765527, email or view the website for more information. 

The Hunter Network Film Festival will be held on Thursday 5 December at Hunter School of the Performing Arts, featuring an Aboriginal dance performance by Millabah to celebrate the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

Entries are welcome from students in Stage 4 or 5, in any language with a duration of 2 minutes each.

Schools unable to attend the film showing may still take part and be eligible for prizes. Films will be distributed for show to participating schools.
The theme is ‘A change’ with a signature item of a plant to be included in the film. There will be prizes for best overall, people's choice, best Stage 4, best Stage 5, best language film.

Films are due Wednesday 20 November via Google Drive.

For further information please contact Daniela Phillips.

One of our LANG Professional Learning Leaders and network leaders has been recognised as one of the state’s best teachers.
 
23 teachers across the state were awarded with the highest levels of accreditation at a prestigious ceremony in Sydney earlier this week, including Amanda Singh from The Ponds High School.
 
Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the awards recognise highly effective, innovative and exemplary teaching practice.
 
Amanda has been recognised as a Highly Accomplished Teacher. She is one of 15 teachers to have achieved this level of accreditation in NSW this year.
 
“Mrs Singh really represents the cream of the crop; she has gone above and beyond the daily demands of the job to achieve excellence in her profession,” Mr Conolly said.
 
“Mrs Singh is using her expertise to lift the prospects of the children in our community, and I am proud and thankful for the work she is doing for our school system.”
 
“I want to congratulate Mrs Singh on her achievements and thank her for the work she does in our school system”.
 
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that teachers who achieve this level of accreditation are invaluable assets for their school communities as teaching experts, mentors and leaders.
 
We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Amanda!

(Adapted from the department's media release, 11.09.19)

The Languages and Culture team is seeking teachers to present at the German Teachers’ Conference, to be held on Friday 22 March 2019 at the Goethe-Institut, Sydney.

The theme of the conference is Blick in die Zukunft – Looking to the future.

Workshop themes for which we are seeking presenters are:

• - new K-10 German syllabus programming, assessment and reporting
• - Stage 6 assessment strategies [German Beginners and Continuers]
• - new Stage 6 HSC Extension course prescribed texts and/or themes
• - innovative and effective classroom teaching and learning strategies
• - other.

All applications require the signature of the applicant’s current principal. Please complete the EOI form below, and email as a PDF to maxine.acosta4@det.nsw.edu.au by 5pm on Friday 15 February 2019.

For further information, see attached form or contact Maxine Acosta – Language Officer on 9266 8540 or at maxine.acosta4@det.nsw.edu.au.

This EOI form is for NSW Department of Education teachers only.

For independent school teachers wishing to present, please contact MWahlin@aisnsw.edu.au.

Macquarie Japanese Studies Centre is offering an online, self-paced course, Incorporating Intercultural Language Learning, an online version of the face-to-face seminar presented by Professor Angela Scarino in August.All language teachers in NSW are invited to attend. Completion of the course will contribute to 2 hours of NESA registered professional development addressing standards 1.3.2, 6.2.2 and 6.4.2 towards maintaining accreditation at Proficient Teachers level in NSW. 

Enrolment opened on 27 September 2018 and will close on 21 October 2018, for course completion between 22 October and 18 November 2018. The course cost is $25 and is a two hour, self-paced module.

For more information visit the website, or contact the facilitator, Tomoko Koyama at the Macquarie Japanese Studies Centre.

Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Is your school panning an event for Harmony Day and you'd like some support?

The Harmony Day website includes an event planning kit for schools and an online promotion kit for schools.

There are also ideas, activities and resources for Early Childhood, Primary and Lower Secondary.

The State Library of NSW and Mother Languages Conservation Movement International Inc. invites you to attend and celebrate International Mother Language Day (IMLD). This free event will share the story and importance of IMLD as well as provide the opportunity to learn greetings and expressions in different languages.

When: Saturday 17 February 2018
Where: Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of NSW, Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
From: 10:30 am-1:30 pm