Media Release
Talking Up Languages in Schools
Thursday, 21 December 2006
A new and improved arrangement for languages learning in the Northern Territory is the first step in reinforcing the place of languages in NT government schools’ curriculum.
Today, the Acting Chief Executive of the Department of Employment, Education and Training, Ms Sharron Noske, announced the introduction of the model that will be introduced in Semester 1 of the 2007 school year.
“The new model will be introduced in 2007. It is the School–Based
Languages Model and is the first step in a commitment to improve
languages education in
Government schools.
“Extensive consultation highlighted a noticeable decline in the number of students studying languages. A commissioned report into languages education in Northern Territory schools by education consultant Jim Dellit made seven recommendations to increase the number of students learning languages.
“Key stakeholders, including schools, were consulted and a Languages Working Group guided by a Languages Steering Committee developed the School-Based Languages model.
“The recommendations have resulted in a new delivery method
for languages learning.
Under the new model all Middle Years schools in the Darwin, Palmerston
and Rural area will be allocated 0.5 of a Languages teacher position.
This guarantees that each Middle Years school will deliver a languages
program to Years 7-9. More students will now have greater access
to a languages learning service in their schools. After-hours classes
currently run by the Northern Territory School of Languages will
continue to run.
“Semester 1 of 2007 will be used to implement Phase 1 of the
Model. Phase 2 and 3 of the School-Based Languages Model will focus
on developing ways to increase access for students in rural and remote
locations,” said Ms Noske.