Language education through the arts, technology in the language classroom and implementing the Victorian State Government’s Languages Education vision and plan were some of the topics discussed at the Victorian State Community Languages Schools Conference, held on Saturday 6 July at RMIT Storey Hall.
Over 400 participants from over 20 communities were welcomed by Community Languages Australia Executive Director Stefan Romaniw. He also welcomed council members of the Australian Federation of Ethnic Schools Associations (AFESA) who attended from the various States and Territories.
“Community languages schools play a critical role in delivering the language education agenda and have a responsibility to ensure programs being delivered are of the highest quality,” Mr Romaniw said. “The beauty of this room at this time is reflected daily in the community languages school sector around Australia – many cultures, many faiths, many backgrounds, all in one room focused on one thing – being better educators,” Mr Romaniw said.
The Minister for Education The Hon Martin Dixon opened the conference highlighting the Victorian Government commitment to language education and the important role community languages schools play in delivering the government’s plan.
AFESA Chairman Tassos Douvartzides thanked the minister for his ongoing support and commitment to furthering language education, and highlighted the importance of cooperation between government and the community.
Conference participants acknowledged the work of now retired Community languages school senior project officer Kypros Kyprianou and welcomed the new officer Vicky Marinelis.
The XII National Community Languages Schools Conference will be held in Canberra, on Saturday 12 October, 2013. For further information contact admin@actclsa.org.au, or visit the website www.actclsa.org.au