Session overviews

Coreena Allen – Languages Adviser

Assessing interacting through game play

Assessing interaction while keeping the whole class engaged can be challenging. This session will explore how to embed formative and summative assessment of ‘Interacting’ through gameplay. Participants will learn to use marking guidelines and student achievement recording templates, as well as develop game prompts and scaffolds to differentiate and ensure that everyone is actively engaged. A game will be played during the session to demonstrate these concepts in action.

 

Coreena Allen – Languages Adviser

One resource, many uses

This session explores how to use one resource in multiple ways to engage students in language learning and reduce preparation time for teachers. Cognitive load is reduced as the same resource is used to reinforce and extend language learnt through a variety of contexts, activities, text types, macro skills and outcomes. Participants will also look at how effective AI prompting using NSW EduChat allows teachers to quickly develop a range of activities from one resource to reduce preparation time.

 

Lauren Dwyer – Languages Adviser

Supporting students with disability in the languages classroom

Language learning is for everyone. This session will outline the importance of an inclusive approach when planning for students with disability in the languages classroom. It will provide examples of evidence-based practices and adjustments to support students with disability. It will also introduce tools to support accessibility and differentiation when teaching languages, ensuring every student can engage and succeed in language learning.

 

Kristen Faraday – Languages Adviser

Comprehensible input

In this presentation, participants will be introduced to the concept of comprehensible input and explore its significance in the classroom. The session will discuss how comprehensible inputequips teachers with tools to enhance student understanding and engagement. Participants will discover strategies for supporting inclusion and differentiation, ensuring that all learners can thrive. They will also observe practical examples of comprehensible input in action and learn about the numerous benefits it offers for both students and teachers.

 

Shanelle Ingram – Languages Adviser

Advocacy strategies for language teachers

In this presentation, participants will explore the vital role of advocacy in promoting languages in schools and the broader community. The discussion will highlight how enhancing the visibility and significance of language programs can lead to numerous benefits, including improved student engagement, retention and a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. Participants will gain insights into practical techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into their school’s existing framework. By the end of the presentation, participants will be empowered to champion language learning and foster a supportive environment for students and teachers alike.

 

Sally Mizoshiri – North Sydney Girls High School

Stages 4 and 5 engaging strategies

This presentation will showcase the curation and selection of a variety of authentic language resources for Stages 4–5 Japanese, along with examples from Year 7 French and German, drawn from the North Sydney Girls High School taster course. Participants will learn how these resources can be effectively incorporated into a unit of work, enhancing language learning experiences for students.

 

Alicia North – Melonba High School

Meeting the needs of high potential and gifted (HPG) learners in the languages classroom

This presentation will provide an overview of the DoE’s policy and delve into how to make effective use of the Differentiation Adjustment Tool (DAT) to help challenge HPG students in our language classes. It will examine the thinking behind the policy, and the implications for more experienced teachers. Then, the session will examine the DAT and how to apply it in a languages context. A typical unit of work that is differentiated for HPG learners will also be shared.

 

Kate Wang – Rouse Hill High School

Harnessing the power of the past

In this session participants will learn about a trial initiative at Rouse Hill High School involving ex-graduate Chinese students in conversation practice with current Stage 6 HSC students and as language support with Year 7. Additionally, an alumni contact group was formed for ex-graduate Chinese students, inviting them to participate in community events to support their ongoing interest and development in the language. This presentation will unpack the experiences from, and benefits of, these events and how the different generations of students interacted with one another. It will highlight the value gained by current students and the impact this initiative had on their HSC results in 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of this strategy in engaging students. This strategy proposes an alternative approach to empowering teachers, enhancing the profile of languages in their schools, and enriching their teaching and learning resources.

 

Kate Wang – Rouse Hill High School, Marianna Valeri – Murray High School, Mark Harper – Seven Hills High School

Thinking outside the box with teacher collaboration

In this session, participants will learn about the initiatives undertaken over the past 2 years to enhance teacher collaboration within the Language Link Up project. This engaging initiative, which facilitates a Chinese letter writing exchange between Year 7 students from metropolitan and regional schools, has been successfully running for around 7 years. Participants will discover how this collaborative effort has empowered teachers and significantly enhanced student engagement beyond the letter writing experience.

 

Nickey Wu – Ingleburn High School

Empowering language teachers to support non-KLA and casual teachers to maintain continuity of language learning

This presentation will empower lone language teachers with increasing interest of students wanting to study the languages through discussion, demonstration and presentation of resources to support language delivery by untrained staff.

 

Frank Xia – Killara High School

Creating authentic listening tasks

This presentation will address common challenges faced by teachers when developing listening assessment tasks for Stage 6. Participants will be introduced to a range of innovative tools designed to create authentic-sounding listening resources tailored specifically for Stage 6 assessments. Additionally, the methods showcased can be effectively used to enhance listening activities more broadly, empowering teachers to elevate their students' auditory learning experiences.

 

Annie Zhang – Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus

Using Clipchamp to create authentic language resources

This is a hands-on workshop that introduces you to Clipchamp, Microsoft’s easy to use video editing tool, great for bringing language learning to life. Discover how to create dynamic projects like student vlogs, and interactive dialogues that enhance speaking, listening and cultural skills. No prior video editing experience is needed!