AFMLTA

16/08/2026

Congratulations to Kathleen Heugh on receiving the International Award – Certificate of Honour 2025.

The award recognises her remarkable achievements and exceptional contributions to multilingualism, language education and language policy, as well as her key role in mentoring Australian language teachers. is proud to have nominated Kathleen for this prestigious international recognition. The award was presented by AFMLTA’s President Miyako Matsui.

This is a wonderful recognition of Kathleen’s longstanding contribution to language education.

A richly deserved honour.

28/07/2026

The AFMLTA Webinar Series continues to provide free professional learning opportunities for Languages educators across Australia.

Join us on Thursday 13 August at 7:00 pm AEST for a special fireside chat with Professor Kathleen Heugh, recipient of the 2025 FIPLV Award, in conversation with Professor Anne-Marie Morgan and Kylie Farmer.

Professor Heugh is internationally recognised for her leadership in multilingualism, language education and language policy. Her work has shaped research, policy and practice across the world and continues to influence the future of language learning and linguistic justice.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear from one of the world's leading voices in multilingual education and gain insights into the experiences and research that have defined her distinguished career.

Register now and join us online. https://lnkd.in/gU8RyVsN

06/07/2026

Another contribution at the Conference.

Gillian Cordy and Anne-Marie Morgan led a thought-provoking session, exploring the importance of Asian capability, languages education, and strengthening connections with our regional neighbours. Drawing on AFMLTA's submission to the Australian Government, the session highlighted why engagement with Asia and the Pacific is becoming increasingly important for both Australia and New Zealand.

Thank you to Gillian and Anne-Marie for representing AFMLTA and contributing to this important conversation.

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Executive member Eleonor Palacio on presenting at the Conference today.

Her session showcased the many ways AFMLTA supports quality teaching and learning in Languages through professional learning, curriculum-aligned resources, webinars and the Professional Standards for Languages Teachers. It was a wonderful opportunity to share Australian perspectives and strengthen the connections between our Languages communities across the Tasman.

Thank you, Eleonor, for representing AFMLTA and for championing Languages education.

23/06/2026

There are only a few weeks remaining to apply for the 2026 Nathan Harvey Legacy Scholarship, supported by AFMLTA. https://afmlta.asn.au/nathan-harvey-legacy-scholarship/

This biennial scholarship provides $2,000 to support participation in Languages Education professional learning that creates meaningful impact for educators, students, colleagues and school communities.
Applications should outline:
• the proposed professional learning opportunity
• intended impact and benefit
• a budget for use of funds
• referee endorsement

Eligible applicants must be members of their state or territory Language Teachers’ Association and be engaged in Languages Education.
Applications close 30 June 2026. Successful applicants will be announced by 30 September 2026. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSck-zs0g2AQ__AvJQHaCoJZYutSFE_rd_mFNaYYBvaq1L40-g/viewform

Professional learning has impact well beyond the individual and we encourage colleagues across the languages community to consider applying.

The Nathan Harvey Legacy Scholarship, sponsored and administered by the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (AFMLTA), will be offered biennially to support involvement in Languages Education professional learning. In 2026, applications are invited for the scholarship amoun...

18/06/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/company/afmlta-the-australian-federation-of-modern-language-teachers-associations/

AFMLTA The Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations | 217 followers on LinkedIn. The national professional body representing teachers of all languages in Australia.

18/06/2026

Languages at Home Are an Asset, Not a Barrier.

Recent commentary suggesting that speaking languages other than English at home damages English development deserves a response grounded in evidence, not assumption.

Australia already collects one of the most significant datasets on literacy achievement through NAPLAN. Every year, students are assessed in English literacy across Reading, Writing, Spelling, and Grammar & Punctuation in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

And year after year, one pattern has remained remarkably consistent: students from language backgrounds other than English are outperforming monolingual students in every domain and every year level, and this should not surprise us!

Research across language education, literacy and cognition has long shown that developing and using more than one language strengthens metalinguistic awareness, supports literacy transfer, builds cognitive flexibility, and contributes positively across learning areas including literacy and numeracy. Research in plurilingual and pluricultural education also points to broader outcomes including perspective-taking, empathy and intercultural understanding.

Speaking another language at home is not a barrier to English. Children do not have a fixed capacity for language where one language pushes another out. Languages interact, strengthen one another, and expand how learners make meaning and engage with the world. Plurilingual approaches recognise that individuals draw on their full linguistic repertoire rather than developing separate, competing language systems.And beyond the evidence, there is a larger question.

What future are we imagining for Australia?

A nation built by First Nations peoples and generations of migration cannot realistically or productively aspire to monoculture. Our prosperity, diplomacy, innovation and social cohesion depend on people who can communicate across languages, contexts and cultures.

The languages spoken in Australian homes are not a problem to solve. They are one of Australia’s greatest strengths.

For those interested, you are encouraged to read BABEL and revisit the National Languages Plan and Strategy developed by AFMLTA and commissioned by the Australian Government. https://afmlta.asn.au/babel/

https://nlps.afmlta.asn.au/

The former Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment engaged the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (AFMLTA) to undertake this project with key stakeholders, nationally.

16/05/2026

Languages learning supports Literacy and Numeracy skill development

Join the FREE AFMLTA webinar on Monday 18 May at 7pm AEST to explore the powerful connection between language learning, literacy, and numeracy achievement.
This session will unpack:
• NAPLAN data showing students with a language background other than English often outperform peers across several literacy domains and numeracy
• How learning additional languages strengthens literacy development
• Why all students should have access to high-quality language learning from an early age
• The case for recognising language learning as core literacy development time in curriculum design
Facilitated by Anne-Marie Morgan and Gillian Cordy from the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations Executive team.
A valuable conversation for educators, school leaders, and anyone passionate about the future of languages education in Australia.
Register now via AFMLTA