AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Towards greater collaboration: what can school and tertiary language teachers offer each other? Matthew Absalom, Ruth Fielding, Lesley Harbon, Anne-Marie Morgan

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Overview Why collaborate? – Crisis in languages in education at all levels – …divided we fall… Ways to collaborate – Communication – Sharing expertise (bi-directional) – Research – Professional learning – Student engagement – Advocacy Call to action

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Why collaborate? To overcome barriers between levels – Addressing perceived differences in expertise and pedagogy – Primary – Secondary – Tertiary: transition issues at every point – Many different pathways and programs – Continuity of language learning is a key consideration for success – communication between sectors crucial to ease transition – Essential for the student experience and to create a stronger learning environment for the teachers involved

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Why collaborate? To provide transition pathways – multiple options for language learners and teachers – By collaborating we can explore the possibilities for consistent pathways from primary through secondary to tertiary – One key discussion point is how to offer continuity in the same language – To consider how teachers in schools and tertiary teachers can work towards a joint aim – more learners of languages, and a continuous pathway

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Why collaborate? To better advocate for languages at all levels – School and university management and teaching staff – Community image and addressing the ‘culture’ of learning and reasons to learn languages – Government and funding agencies DEEWR, ACARA, AEF National agencies: Goethe, Alliance Française, embassies etc Corporate sector

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Why collaborate? To share pedagogical approaches – Same page? Methodologies or post-method approaches Shared repertoire of knowledge, understandings, goals & objectives Level of engagement with contemporary context Teacher ‘stance’ and positioning Catering for diversity of learners and learner pathways Pathways: knowing what others do and providing suitable pre- and post-considerations in teaching and learning

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Why collaborate? For better student engagement and learning outcomes – Transition – Improve pathways – Improved pedagogy – Continuity of programs – Improved funding opportunities – Greater collaborative research potential (especially issues relating to practice, learners, etc.)

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Ways to collaborate Language teacher education offerings Faculties of Arts for language content and Faculties of Education for pedagogy and curriculum (interdisciplinary) Both pre-service and in-service programs Shared professional learning and learning resources

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Examples of collaboration Babel – The only Australian scholarly journal dedicated to languages in education (B rating | ERA 2010) Professional Standards Project (2002-ongoing) – Aspirational standards with language-specific annotations (tertiary – school panels) (AFMLTA, 2005) – Professional learning project workshops, materials, online resources, in-country programs, ongoing cross-sectoral and cross level collaboration – School/tertiary educators working with school teachers – Continued engagement with project and materials, with further school-tertiary collaboration

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Examples of collaboration Honours/RHD joint supervision Research projects – Small-scale – Larger-scale – Mutually beneficial – Tertiary and secondary language learners in the process, not just the teachers Knowledge transfer – Melbourne: Italian mentoring project (T/S, T/P)

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Examples of collaboration Professional association membership and networking – MLTAs, (AFMLTA), ALAA, language-specific associations: conferences, committees – Opportunities for discussion of current issues – Shared celebrations – Guest speakers – Connections with communities – Contribution to position and representation – Other?

AFMLTA Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Inc. Call to action... Challenge conventional views – Our work: take risks – Ingrained perception of difference (P, S, T) – Professional associations and possible contributions Long-term perspective – Action now but pay-off later – Broadening conceptions of communities of practice