C19 ACT Multicultural Strategy 2010-2013

Theme 1: Languages

The Directorate supports the teaching of eight priority languages in ACT public schools: four European languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) and four Asian Languages (Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Indonesian).

The current Curriculum Requirements in ACT Public Schools P-10 policy requires all primary schools to teach languages for 60 minutes per week in years 3 to 6. All high schools are required to provide a program to students in years 7 and 8 for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. The implementation of this policy has seen an increase of an additional 10,000 students in public schools learning languages, from primary to year 12 (P-12), since 2008.

To develop teachers, language-specific and pedagogy-based professional development is offered internally and in conjunction with a number of external organisations such as the Australian National University (ANU), the Alliance Française, the Japan Foundation and the embassies of countries whose languages are taught in ACT public schools. The Directorate also works with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, the Embassy of France and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to support their Speech Contests in the ACT.

The Commonwealth Government's National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP) aims to support the teaching and learning of the languages and cultures of Japan, China, Korea and Indonesia. In the ACT, the Directorate is the lead authority in implementing the ACT NALSSP Strategic Plan 2009-2011 across the three education sectors. The Strategic Plan aims to develop the linguistic ability of teachers. Student engagement with the languages and cultures of Asia has been encouraged by using the NALSSP to facilitate student participation in events such as the Asia Pacific Day at ANU, the primary schools' Indonesian and Japanese Fun Days, and a Wayang Puppet performance for students of Indonesian. Teachers have been supported to include studies of Asia in the curriculum through professional development focussed on Asia literacy in the English and history curricula.

The Directorate has Memoranda of Understanding with both the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, for each to provide a Chinese Language Teacher's Assistant to ACT public schools. Through a separate agreement with the Japan Foundation, a Japanese Teacher's Assistant works in two ACT public schools.

The Directorate's Curriculum Officer for Languages meets regularly with members of the ACT Community Language Group, an external organisation, to facilitate support to the ACT Community Language Schools Association (ACT CLS). This support includes the provision of four professional development sessions for ACT CLS teachers in 2011.

Theme 3:
Older People and Aged Care

The Directorate continues to support older people from multicultural backgrounds to participate in life-long learning activities and community life through adult and community education programs. In 2011 the Support Asian Women's Friendship Association was granted $8,500 for the Learning English and Computer Skills in Other Languages program. The Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT received grants to deliver two programs: the Home Tutor Program and the English for Living Program. Both programs assist migrant and refugee residents in the ACT who have limited or no English language.

Theme 5: Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Humanitarian Entrants

Programs for students from refugee background are discussed under Theme 2.

Theme 6: Intercultural Harmony
and Religious
Acceptance

Through both the Australian Curriculum and the ACT curriculum framework P – 10 Every chance to learn, ACT public school students focus on content relating to intercultural understanding and incorporating the valuing of the cultures and beliefs of others. The content encourages students to engage "with people of diverse cultures in ways that recognise differences, create connections and cultivate respect between people". (The Australian Curriculum, Capability: Intercultural Understanding)

Additional to focussed classroom teaching, many ACT schools recognise and celebrate Australia's multicultural diversity by participating in Harmony Day, which occurred this year on 21 March 2011. This year's activities included, with the support of parents and embassies, students hosting community picnics, international song and dance assemblies, multicultural art and craft sessions, cultural sporting activities and multicultural cooking classes.

At a very practical level, schools have been provided with information to increase awareness of the dietary restrictions on Muslim children and young people during Ramadan. Schools, when requested by Muslim families, have allocated time and space for prayer during the school day.

Section 29 of the Education Act 2004 provides for the inclusion of religious education in public schools under certain conditions. It states that if parents of children at a public school ask the principal for their children to receive religious education in a particular religion, the principal must ensure that reasonable time is allowed for their children's religious education in that religion. It also states that religious education means education in a particular religion as distinct from the study of different religions. This policy is enacted by all public schools in the ACT and is an example of religious acceptance promoted by the Directorate.