Australian Curriculum: Languages update
A significant moment in Australian education history: four languages made available in
the Australian Curriculum
The Australian Curriculum: Languages for Chinese, French, Indonesian and Italian have now
been made available on the Australian Curriculum website.
With the release of the languages curricula, ACARA has now published and made available for
use curriculum for all eight learning areas of the Australian Curriculum – a significant moment in
Australian education history.
The curricula for the four languages online are yet to be formally endorsed by the Education
Council, but as decided by the council, have been made available for states and territories to
use in schools in their jurisdictions.
ACARA’s CEO, Rob Randall, said that the opportunity for Australian children to learn a
language in addition to English from a young age will give them an edge in the future when they
participate in our linguistically and culturally diverse world.
“Having an additional language will allow students to develop linguistic and cultural resources
that will help them embrace opportunities in the future,” said Mr Randall.
“Learning a language while at school will enhance young people’s skills to engage socially,
culturally and economically in areas of business, trade, science, law, education, international
relations and many other domains when they are adults,” he added.
ACARA will continue to support curriculum implementation for these languages with work
sample portfolios due to be made available next year.
German, Korean, Modern Greek and Spanish
The revised draft curriculum for German, Korean, Modern Greek and Spanish were recently
considered by the ACARA Board. The Board commented on the high quality of these curricula
and they will now be considered by the Education Council out-of-session.
Arabic, Japanese and Vietnamese
Following public consultation, ACARA is continuing to revise the draft curriculum for Arabic,
Japanese and Vietnamese. Over July and August, curriculum officers and nominated teachers
will be involved in further consultation activities, including validation of achievement standards. It
is anticipated that these languages will be considered by the Education Council later this year.
Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages
ACARA continues to work with writers on the development of the Framework for Aboriginal
Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages. It is anticipated that this curriculum will be
submitted to the ACARA Board for approval later this year.
Additional Languages: Hindi, Turkish, Australian Sign Language and Classical
Languages
ACARA welcomes the government’s announcement of the development of additional languages
curricula for Hindi, Turkish, Australian Sign Language and Classical Languages. We look
forward to working with teachers and curriculum experts in all states and territories on the
development of these languages.
For further information on the Australian Curriculum: Languages, please contact
info@acara.edu.au.