Modern Language Teachers Association of South Australia
News 2009
Modern Language Teachers' Association Awards for Excellence
MLTASA is proud to relaunch the annual MLTASA Awards for Excellence. These awards will recognise the contributions that members of MLTASA make to tthe teaching and learning of languages.
The awards were presented in term 4 2009 to coincide with CEASA World Teacher's Day celebrations. Members from any education sector and at any stage of their career are encouraged to apply. Click here for further details and a copy of the application form. Applications close on September 16.
AFMLTA News in Brief
Click here for the latest (May) publication.
AFMLTA Conference
MLTASA seeks expressions of interest from Language Teachers wishing to attend the AFMLTA Conference in Sydney in July 2009. Click here for a copy of the expression of interest form (Please note there is a separate form for DECS teachers). Applications close Friday May 15th.
NALSSP Presentation
Click here to access a PowerPoint presentation which a DEEWR representative delivered at a teleconference to which MLTASA was invited on 1 April.
News 2008
Modern Language Teachers' Association Awards for Excellence
This year, MLTASA is proud to announce the inaugural MLTASA Awards for Excellence. These awards will recognise the contributions that members of MLTASA make to tthe teaching and learning of languages.
The awards will be presented in term 4 2008 to coincide with CEASA World Teacher's Day celebrations. Members from any education sector and at any stage of their career are encouraged to apply. Click here for further details and a copy of the application form. Applications close on September 24.
Across Languages Conference June 13/14
Click here for photos of the conference.
News 2007
22 June: Click here for details of the two members who have been selected as recipients of a $700 grant from MLTASA to go towards the costs of attending the July 2007 AFMLTA biennial conference in Perth.
News 2006
The Teacher Advocacy project
The advocacy sub-committee is in the process of gathering resources for this project. Watch this space!
If you have any electronic resources that you feel could be used to advocate for languages please send them to MLTASA.
Australian Certificate of Education
The Department of Education, Science & Training (DEST) is proposing an Australian Certificate of Education (ACE). Click here for a copy of the report.
The AFMLTA would like to develop a response, given the importance and potential impact of this national proposal. Please send any feedback or comments to Lia Tedesco using the DEST questionnaire by Monday July 24 so that she can put forward a consolidated AFMLTA response.
If you would like to make a personal response, feedback to DEST is due by August 4.
A Charter for the Teaching Profession
Teaching Australia is proposing that the teaching profession develop a national charter. It would be a high level statement of what teachers collectively believe, value, know and do and would affirm the principles that underpin the practice of teaching. It is seeking the views of teachers. MLTASA will make a group response on behalf of its members. If you would like to make a personal response check out the details of this project (there is a question and response framework) at http://www.teachingaustralia.edu.au
You can email your response to MLTASA or directly to charter@teachingaustralia.edu.au
National Awards for Quality Schooling
Nominations are now open for the 2007 National Awards for Quality Schooling. The application material has just been posted on the Teaching Australia website. This year there are seven categories of award:
- Excellence by a Teacher
- Excellence in Teacher Leadership
- Excellence by a Beginning Teacher
- Excellence by a Principal
- Excellence by a Support Staff Member
- Excellence in School Improvement
- Excellence in Family-School Partnerships
The awards give public recognition to the high quality of the teaching profession in Australia. The nomination period closes on 16 October 2006.
News 2005
Advocacy and Representation
The Advocacy Project
The first draft of a refreshed rationale has been written and feedback from the MLTASA committee has been provided. The rationale and support materials will be online soon.
Vale Jeff Pash
Jeff Pash, one of the co-founders of the MLTASA died on Friday 22 April
Click here to read a memorial piece dedicated to Jeff.
News 2004
Advocacy and Representation
The Advocacy Project
The first draft of a refreshed rationale has been written and feedback from the MLTASA committee has been provided. The rationale and support materials will be ready before the end of the year.
Meeting with the Minister for Education, Dr Jane Lo-Max Smith
The MLTASA recently met with the Minister for Education, the Hon. Dr Jane Lo-Max Smith to discuss a range of issues. As a follow up to this meeting the MLTASA will be providing a written submission regarding Languages education to the Minister.
The Implementation of the DECS Languages Plan
Major developments:
Information went to all Principals teachers in DECS Schools outlining the future directions for languages education. The letter outlines the direction of developing a new South Australian Languages Policy together with an accompanying Implementation Plan 2005-2010. The positive aspect of this move is that languages education will remain on the agenda for the DECS.
The MLTASA, together with Principal Associations, Multicultural Education Committee representatives and DECS Officers are the reference group for the development of the policy and plan. This will provide for continued representation and advocacy on behalf of our members.
As a member of the Languages Plan Implementation Steering Committee, the MLTASA has provided a detailed response to the Proposed model for the DECS Language Support Services. The Response has been developed by incorporating responses together with responses over following extensive consultations with the membership over the last few years on this subject. These are:
- the MLTASA Training and Development discussion paper
- the MLTASA's Proposed Model for Professional development
- Our Response for the 2004 model following extensive consultations.
A copy of the MLTASA response can be found here.
AEU Enterprise Agreement and Languages
Many language teachers have contributed through consultations on the AEU's Draft log of claims for the next Enterprise Agreement for teachers in DECS employees. The MLTASA is currently organizing a meeting with Dan Farmer, Branch Vice president to further discuss the Draft. Further information about the meeting will be provided on the website.
AFMLTA
2004 AFMLTA Assembly
The AFMLTA Assembly, hosted in Adelaide on the 13 and July
2004 was enjoyable and informative. On the first day each of
the state MLTAs and the AFMLTA Executive provided reports on
activities and emerging
Issues. Lia Tedesco provided information about the draft National
Languages Statement and Plan on the second day together with
information about the 2005 AFMLTA National Conference. Following
the AFMLTA Assembly, Rita Tognini is now President of AFMLTA,
taking over from Tony Liddicoat.
Thanks to Matthew and Julie for the organization of accommodation, venue and dinner for the AFMLTA and MLTA representatives.
The MLTASA report to the AFMLTA Assembly provides a comprehensive report on the activities of the MLTASA over the last 12 months. South Australia's report is available here.
AFMLTA National Writing competition.
Many thanks to Livia D'Aloia for the successful coordination of the AFMLTA competition.
AFMLTA News in Brief
The August edition of the AFMLTA's News in Brief in provided
on the website.
It provides information about the membership of the 2004/5 AFMLTA
Committee as well as:
AFMLTA Assembly held in Adelaide 12-14 July 2004
- Advocacy and Representation the Asian Languages Professional Development Project (ALPLP); the Endeavour Fellowships; and, and, the Indonesian and Japanese On-line Projects.
- The 'Standards Project', the main activity of the AFMLTA in 2004/5.
- Update about the National Statement and Plan
- State & territory MLTAs overview
- 2005 National Conference Seizing the Future, the 15th AFMLTA National Conference to be held in Melbourne on July 6-9, 2005.
A copy of the AFMLTA News in Brief is available here.
Languages and Vet
As schools look at ways to introduce compulsory languages
at year 10, and also at ways to make teaching programmes for
senior students relevant to their future employability while
satisfying stidents' needs as emerging adults, the principle
of embedding TAFE outcomes in SACE units that are accredited
by the appropriate TAFE college seems very attractive.
This is being out into practice by two schools that will introduce
semester courses for year10s in 2005. Watch for updates on the
sharing of this work that is currently being completed.
Vale Win Sarre
Read a memorial piece dedicated to Winifred Sarre here
PO Box 622 Adelaide 5001