Key initiatives

Bilingual Schools Program
The NSW Government will invest $2.25 million over four years in the establishment of a Bilingual Schools Program for the four priority Asian languages: Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin Chinese. The Bilingual Schools Program will teach language from an early age through language immersion for one and a half hours every school day. Expressions of interest for the Bilingual Schools Program have now closed, and successful schools will be announced shortly. For more information, contact Nina.Conomos@det.nsw.edu.au

Building the Education Revolution
Forty-six Language Learning Centres will be built in government schools state-wide between November 2009 and June 2010. Language Learning Centres will transform the teaching of Aboriginal, Asian, Community and European languages in NSW Government secondary schools, providing students with a range of authentic learning experiences using technology. Click here to find out more.

Digital Education Revolution NSW
The Languages Unit has developed workshops and materials across languages to support teachers of Years 9-12 in implementing high quality teaching and learning programs using laptops. Click here to access the materials. Additional material will be added in 2010.

National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP)
The NSW Department of Education and Training will be implementing a range of initiatives to increase the number of students studying Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and Korean in NSW through to the Higher School Certificate. The strategies are funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations through the National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP). More information about the initiatives will be published on this website as implementation begins.
For more information contact David.Jaffray@det.nsw.edu.au or click here.

National Plan for Languages Education in Australian Schools 2009-2012
The National Statement for Languages Education provides an overarching framework for all States, Territories and Australian Government activities. It clearly affirms the place of languages education in the school curriculum and describes the purpose and nature of language learning.
The Statement and the Plan reflect an agreed commitment by all Ministers of Education to act together to provide quality languages education for all students to benefit not only the students but also the broader Australian community.
The NSW Department of Education and Training is committed to support and promote the study of languages other than English including Australian Indigenous Languages and to build on the cultural and linguistic diversity of the state. In NSW, we recognise the cumulative nature of languages learning and the importance of whole school and community support for languages education.
NSW will work collaboratively with other states and territories to address the six nationally agreed inter-dependent strategic areas outlined in the initial four-year plan in order to:
- establish long term directions for languages learning
- advance the implementation of high quality and sustainable programs
- maximise collaboration in the use of national, state and territory resources.
Copies of the National Statement and Plan have been distributed to all education authorities. You can also download your own copy here.

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