News

Throughout 2022-2023, an extensive review of the Quality Assurance Framework was undertaken.

The outcome was a revised, more user-friendly Framework, including a range of tools – promotional explainer video was produced involving testimonials from schools that have already used the Framework or are seeking to use it, an online quiz to assess your community language school’s readines

A significant part of the work of CLA and its Members in S&T is to deliver professional development to teachers and instructors nationally.

The purpose is to upskill our teachers and instructors in teaching methodology in language education.

There are regular professional development sessions in S&T and nationally. More extensive training courses of 30-60 hours are delivered through universities.

In

Since the introduction of the new Child Safe Standards, CLA Child Safe and Compliance Officer has been extremely busy reviewing and updating all relevant documents in accordance with the new legislation.

List of updated child safety documents:

● Child Safety Policy

● Code of Conduct

● Student Safety and Staff Welfare Manual

● Child Safe Officer Job Description

● Reference Check Form Sampl

Academic Forums are integral to improving education outcomes in community language schools. They have been facilitated by CLA regularly over many years.

Its objectives are to provide CLA with the following:

Advice on the delivery of languages education in CLS Ideas on how to improve program delivery - Be an incubator. Guidance on areas of research that CLA may wish to undertake. Assist CLA to further its objectives.

The NSW Federation of Communty Language Schools Inc has teamed up with Macquarie University for another specially-designed short course for community language teachers.

Students across Australia shared short messages, which were captured in two video compilations.

BEING IN LOCKDOWN - MENTAL HEALTH - SUPPORT

The AFMLTA is currently developing a national languages education plan and strategy for Australia. Community Language School Teachers are invited to focus groups to provide input and feedback in August. Please make sure to share the information and register your interest.

The AFMLTA community language school teacher survey results and the CLA annual report data, which was collected through CLA's membership associations will be presented

The NSW Federation of Community Language Schools is offering FREE Community Language Teacher MASTERCLASSES with some of the leading academics in the field - starting tomorrow!

A short update with some language-related activities and news for your information shared by the Canberra Regional Languages Forum.

We encourage all schools to use the day to acknowledge the importance of their school and their achievements. As part of this year's Community Language School Day, we ask all schools to submit a short video of students saying "Hello! We love our school!", in their own language into the camera.

UPCOMING EVENTS - APRIL 2021

Urgent - please complete the 2nd survey and share it across your community language school teaching community! We are requesting principals and administrators send the information below to all their staff and encourage them to complete the survey by NOVEMBER 10,2020.

A total of 364 community language schools across Australia will receive a base payment of $1,500 and a per capita payment of up to $60,000 in grant funding. The grants can be used to support their operational costs such as staff wages, teaching materials and resources, as well as professional development programs. Please read the Hon Alan Tudge MP's full release here.

An important opportunity for community language schools to contribute. Teachers of languages in schools or community language programs are encouraged to participate in a series of 3 online surveys to be conducted across Semester 2, 2020 to inform development of the national plan and strategy.

CLA is funded by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment to deliver a 4 years project 2019-2022. Specifics are outlined in this article and in the attached project plan.

This article provides an overview of CLA's recent planning and monitoring activities, which it regularly undertakes to further improve its operational effectiveness.