In 2017, the Languages and Culture team successfully established in the Virtual Language Mentoring Network (VLMN) to support beginning and/or isolated language teachers 7-12, especially those without the support of a head teacher with languages background. A beginning teacher is one in their first 2 years of teaching in metro areas and in their first 5 years in rural and remote areas.
 
These teachers often work as the only language teacher in the school and may have specific needs which cannot always be met at school level.
 
The 2019-2020 cohort of the VLMN includes a Language Officer, Evia Kyriacou, from the Languages and Culture team, 2 lead mentors, 1 beginning mentor and up to 10 school-based language teacher mentors (selected via expressions of interest) working to support the mentee teachers.
 
Expressions of interest are invited from experienced language teachers of:

• - Chinese (1 mentor required)
• - French (1 mentor required)
• - German (1 mentor required)
• - Italian (1 mentor required)
• - Japanese (5 mentors required)
• - Spanish (1 mentor required).

 
Mentors will be providing support from Term 3 2019 until the end of Term 4 2020 and relevant professional learning will be provided for all successful applicants.

The VLMN will:

• - identify professional learning needs for mentees and mentors
• - implement evidence-based mentoring practices to develop the capacity of mentees
• - support teachers of languages in working towards and maintaining accreditation at a range of career stages
• build the capacity of virtual and face-to-face language teacher networks.

 
The VLMN will begin with a centrally-located 3-day conference for both mentors and mentees. The Languages and Culture team will provide release and related expenses to participants to facilitate mentoring support and to attend targeted professional learning.
 
Please complete the Google survey, and download and complete the attached EOI form and submit by 5pm on Friday 14 June 2019 to evia.kyriacou@det.nsw.edu.au

The NSW Department of Education's Languages and Culture team invites expressions of interest from early career secondary teachers of languages (Years 7-12) who are interested in being mentored through the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network (VLMN) in 2018.
 
The Virtual Languages Mentoring Network supports the wellbeing and professional growth of early career languages teachers.
 
The VLMN program:

• - provides early career languages teachers with an experienced, language-specific teacher mentor
• - supports the development of  trusting, productive and mutually beneficial professional relationships
• - encourages critical conversations and self-reflection
• - develops the professionalism of teachers as they work toward best practice and accreditation
• - provides high quality, relevant and evidence-based professional learning
• - develops and supports robust professional networks
• - promotes teacher wellbeing and work-life balance
• - fosters a growth mindset.

 
We have five places available in 2018. The languages available are:

• - French
• - German
• - Spanish.

 
Teachers of Aboriginal Languages are also encouraged to apply.
 
If you teach a language not listed above, please contact the program manager to discuss joining the program in 2019.
 
Key responsibilities

• - All participants actively seek to build trusting, productive, and mutually beneficial professional relationships.
• - All participants are committed to meeting timelines for communication and deliverables.

 
Selection criteria
We are looking for participants who will commit to the program, and commit to growing as teaching professionals. If you feel like you have a lot to learn, would like to connect with more experienced colleagues, want to build your confidence and skills as a professional, and are enthusiastic and open, we would like to hear from you. 
 
At the time of application you must:
- be an employee of the NSW Department of Education, in your first three years of teaching in a metropolitan or    outer metropolitan school, or first five years of teaching in a rural/remote school
- have a permanent or long-term temporary (4 terms +) appointment
- teach at least 50% of a full time load in languages.
 
All expressions of interest must be endorsed by the applicant’s current principal. The program guidelines are attached for the information of applicants and their principals.
 
If you are interested in becoming part of the Virtual Languages Mentoring Network, please complete the attached EOI form, and include a brief statement supporting your application (no more than one A4 page).  Email your endorsed application as a PDF to the program manager, Michelle Walls by 5pm on Friday, 16 February 2018 (Week 3).
 
ALL: Please bring this opportunity to the attention of any early career languages teacher who could benefit from this mentoring program.
 
For further information contact Michelle Walls, Language Officer, on 9266 5573.