Provides a status report as of July 1995 of the Statement and Profile for languages in government education systems across Australia. The article summarizes the state of second-language education in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. (Author/CK)

Describes a project trying to implement the nationally developed Curriculum Profile for languages in Australia from the vantage point of three teachers. Notes that the objectives of the project included highlighting teacher perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the profile, discovering difficulties experienced by teachers in applying the…

Examines the concept of culture from the perspective of language teaching and explores how conversation analysis assists in the teaching of culture in interaction. Argues that one outcome of language teaching should be communicative competence, that the model of language underlying an assessment is crucial, and that the interdependence of language…

As Australian teachers negotiate a curriculum in which languages other than English assume the status of key learning area, and as the impact of this development becomes more tangible, language teachers will need to embrace change. Self-directed learning will be significant within this context and self-access packages will provide students with…

Explores questions regarding the knowledge and proficiency level expected of second-language learners, the acquisition of valued knowledge, the relationship between cognition and language learning, the nature of "progress," and quality curriculum design. These questions are discussed in reference to the development in Australia of the…

Discusses a project to enhance language learning in Australian schools. The project focused on training teachers to interpret the curriculum profiles for languages other than English and English as a Second Language (ESL), make valid outcomes-based judgments about students' learning, share best practice in language and ESL teaching, and develop…

Discusses the linkage of quality with accountability in professional development programs in Australia, with specific reference to the effect on second-language teachers. The article notes that, since the introduction of the Statements and Profiles, the Australian government has stressed the need for cooperation between the various sectors…